The Las Vegas Raiders have three weeks until training camp begins in Henderson, Nevada. Several players impressed the coaching staff during organized team activities and minicamp, while others must make up ground this summer.
Head coach Pete Carroll got his first look at the roster through spring practices. The Raiders signed linebacker Germaine Pratt to strengthen that position group and hosted cornerback Shaquill Griffin for a visit, though he signed with the Seattle Seahawks.
Beyond expected contributors like Geno Smith, Ashton Jeanty and Raheem Mostert, other new faces have clear pathways to extensive playing time.
Excluding Christian Wilkins, whose status for training camp remains unclear, here are the biggest winners and losers from Raiders spring practices:
Winner: Wide receiver Dont’e Thornton Jr.
NCAA Football: Tennessee at Vanderbilt
Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images
Dont’e Thornton Jr. emerged as one of the spring stars. Dubbed the Al Davis pick in this year’s draft class, Thornton used his 6-5, 205-pound frame and 4.3 speed to make head-turning plays.
Levi Edwards of the Raiders’ official website noted that Smith has built a rapport with the rookie fourth-round receiver.
“Thornton has already become a top target for Geno Smith, not only using his speed to get vertical down the field, but towering over smaller defenders in the middle of the field and using his acceleration to create separation consistently,” Edwards wrote.
Without pads, Thornton put his athleticism on full display. Even with a limited route tree, a creative play-caller like Chip Kelly can find ways to get him involved. As a viable deep target, the rookie can open up space for Brock Bowers and Jakobi Meyers on underneath routes.
Thornton has everyone’s attention heading into training camp.
Loser: Cornerback Jakorian Bennett
NFL: Las Vegas Raiders at Baltimore Ravens
Credit: Reggie Hildred-Imagn Images
Jakorian Bennett is still recovering from a torn labrum. According to The Athletic’s Tashan Reed, he’s taken snaps with the second-team defense behind Eric Stokes and rookie third-rounder Darien Porter.
Like Thornton, Porter has generated buzz as a middle-round pick who could see significant action this season. Carroll is open to starting rookies early in their careers, regardless of draft status.
If Porter and Stokes don’t give coaches reasons to pull them off the field, Bennett may struggle to retain his starting position on the perimeter.
Despite Bennett’s solid performance through 10 games last season, he must impress new coaches at training camp. Otherwise, the third-year cornerback could open 2025 as a backup.
Winner: Tight end Michael Mayer
NFL: Las Vegas Raiders at Miami Dolphins
Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Once a potential trade candidate, Michael Mayer may have worked his way into a role within Kelly’s offense.
According to Las Vegas Review-Journal’s Vincent Bonsignore, the Raiders have “made a point” to include Mayer in the offense, and he’s responded well during spring practices.
On Monday, the Miami Herald’s Omar Kelly reported the Dolphins had interest in Mayer before they traded Pro Bowl tight end Jonnu Smith to the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Miami has had their eye on Raider TE Michael Mayer for a while. He’s had some on and off-field challenges with the Raiders. But he’s slated to make $1.6M in 2025 and $2M in 2026.
Dolphins also shopping for cornerback help. https://t.co/onpZiK9tWj
— Omar Kelly (@OmarKelly) June 30, 2025
Bonsignore’s sources believe the Raiders have “no interest” in trading Mayer.
The Dolphins pivoted to former Raiders tight end Darren Waller, whose contractual rights were owned by the New York Giants, though he retired in 2024.
Mayer remains in Las Vegas for a crucial third year as the 2023 second-rounder.
Loser: Cornerback Darnay Holmes
NFL: Las Vegas Raiders at Los Angeles Rams
Credit: Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images
Based on reports from OTAs and minicamp, the Raiders have preferred using Jeremy Chinn in the slot rather than Darnay Holmes, who played the position in defensive coordinator Patrick Graham’s system with the Giants from 2020-21.
In 2024, Holmes manned the slot for most of his snaps with the Raiders but played sparingly, taking the field for only 28 percent of defensive plays.
Holmes’ experience in Graham’s scheme hasn’t helped him gain an upper hand in the battle for the primary nickelback position. If he doesn’t earn more slot snaps, the Raiders may release him this summer.
Winner: Safety Lonnie Johnson Jr.
NFL: Pro Football Hall of Fame Game-Houston Texans at Chicago Bears
Credit: Scott Galvin-Imagn Images
For most of six seasons, Lonnie Johnson Jr. has been a backup defensive back, starting 20 of 83 games. In Las Vegas, his versatility has worked in his favor and may help him land a starting job.
According to The Athletic’s Reed, the Raiders have employed Chinn as the big nickel slot defender, opening a vacancy in the secondary.
When Chinn lines up in the slot, Johnson has taken snaps alongside Isaiah Pola-Mao at safety. If this personnel grouping holds through training camp, Johnson could open the season in a prominent role.
At 6-2, 213 pounds, Johnson has the size that Carroll covets in his defensive backs. He fits the mold of a potential starter in the Graham-Carroll system.
Maurice Moton covers the Raiders for Sportsnaut. You can follow him on Twitter at@MoeMoton.
Maurice Moton is our Sr. NFL columnist and co-host of Silver and Black Tonight on Southern California's The Mightier ... More about Moe Moton