When the Las Vegas Raiders picked Montana State’s quarterback-turned-wide receiver Tommy Mellott 213th overall (Round 6) in the 2025 NFL Draft, NFL personnel described the decision as a clever “curveball.” Many experts now call the rookie “unique” — not just another seventh-round project, but a potential instant-impact gadget player in Chip Kelly’s offense and on special teams reddit.com+13heavy.com+13raiders.com+13.
🧰 A True Swiss‑Army‑Knife Athlete
-
Mellott isn’t your average receiver prospect. Standing at 5’11″, 200 lbs, he posted elite numbers at Montana State’s pro day: a 4.39‑second 40‑yard dash, a 41″ vertical jump, and a 10‑foot‑4″ broad jump, plus 19 bench-press reps at 225 lb. These measurables, arguably the best among QBs or WRs in this draft, wowed scouts and firmly vaulted his stock.
-
In college, Mellott wasn’t just a dual‑threat QB — he was a dynamic playmaker. Over four seasons he accumulated 3,523 rushing yards, 43 rushing touchdowns, 5,810 passing yards, and 53 passing touchdowns, leading Montana State to two FCS Championship Game appearances.
🧩 Piecing Together Multi‑Dimensional Roles
Raiders director of college scouting Brandon Yeargan emphasized they wouldn’t pigeonhole Mellott. “We view him as a receiver that’s going to have a lot of value in the kicking game, potentially as a returner, as a cover player, maybe he plays some quarterback, too… He’s a unique guy”.
-
Special Teams: His agility and vision make him an immediate candidate for return duties. Silver & Black Pride noted that “elusiveness and vision” can give him standout value in kick-return roles right off the bat.
-
Offense: Under Chip Kelly, the Raiders have the flexibility to use him in gadget packages—jet sweeps, motion plays, wildcat snaps, and occasional backfield pitches. With such athleticism, he could challenge defenses across multiple levels.
-
Quarterback Wildcard: While unlikely to stick as a full-time QB, occasional rushes, wildcat formations, or trick passing snaps could add another layer to the playbook.
🏈 Comparisons, Coaches, and Context
-
Comparisons to Julian Edelman are inevitable. Edelman transitioned from college QB to NFL WR/returner and became a superstar under Tom Brady in New England. Raiders minority owner Tom Brady presumably had input in this pick, reinforcing the parallels.
-
NFL draft analyst Lance Zierlein noted that Mellott’s explosiveness and competitiveness “could earn him an opportunity… follow in the footsteps of Julian Edelman”.
-
From the FCS prospective angle: his Walter Payton Award (top FCS offensive player in 2024) highlights his dominance and winning pedigree.
🔍 What This Means for the Raiders
-
Increased Offensive Versatility: Kelly loves mismatches—Mellott’s blend of speed, burst, and unpredictability opens facets in offense, especially in short-yardage and explosive-play situations.
-
Special Teams Depth: Returners capable of changing games are rare — if Mellott can translate his college vision and burst to the pros, he could energize field position battles.
-
Developmental Project with Upside: As a college QB who’s athletic enough to challenge as a WR, Mellott fits exactly into the developmental mold: high upside, niche skillset, explosive athletic traits, and a willingness to embrace a hybrid role.
📌 Bottom Line
In drafting Tommy Mellott, the Raiders didn’t just accumulate depth—they redefined flexibility. In a single pick, they blended athletic dominance, schematic innovation, and special-teams potential. With Chip Kelly’s play-calling ingenuity and the franchise’s veteran leadership (including veteran input from Tom Brady), Mellott is a gadget-athlete who could spark both offense and special teams from Day 1.
If he adapts well to route-running and continues to convert his elite athleticism into football production, he could carve out a unique long-term role—just like the elite college-to-pro hybrid players we’ve seen who redefine positional boundaries.
The card’s been played, the curveball’s in motion, and all eyes in Vegas will be watching to see if this “unique” investment pays off.