While the tandem of Pete Carroll and John Spytek instantly solved some big problems for the Las Vegas Raiders, there’s still many questions that need answers in Sin City. Two of them in particular are the wide receiver and cornerback rooms. But not to worry – Maxx Crosby sees solutions.
For the Raiders, their 2025 NFL Draft class can best be described with one word: upside. From sixth-overall pick Ashton Jeanty to sixth-rounder Tommy Mellott, the Silver and Black welcomed an array of players who have legitimate game-changing potential.
Some of them may be well on track to hit that potential, even. At least, that’s what two-time All-Pro edge rusher Maxx Crosby is seeing.
“These two dudes have stood out to me, for sure,” Crosby began emptying his notepad with.
“On defense, Darien Porter. Big cornerback. I will say, this kid, he’s been a receiver his whole life. That’s the first thing, I’m like, ‘Okay, this kid’s played receiver, is he even..,’ you know? Like, how can you even make that transition? But, you’ve got ball skills and also you’ve seen guys like Richard Sherman, it makes too much sense in Pete’s pedigree to bring in a guy like him.
“The second we drafted him, I wanted to know more about him. See what he’s about, see what kind of person he is. Immediately when he got drafted and he got here, I went up to him, and we’ve had a lot of good conversation. And this dude is just a freak of nature. Looking at him on the field, he looks like a starting X receiver. He’s out there 6-4, rangy and running a 4-3. Runs like a gazelle out there, and he’s got ball skills, which is crazy, especially at cornerback, you typically don’t see it–not at that level.”
Las Vegas Raiders superstar EDGE Maxx Crosby talks rookies Darien Porter, Dont’e Thornton
Crosby’s praise for Darien Porter continued as he noted how the rookie has begun adapting to life in the National Football League.
“He’s adapted really fast. He’s a super humble, super quiet kid, he’s showing up to work every day and getting better and he’s being put into positions to go and compete against the best guys on our team.”
It’s a good breakdown from Crosby on Porter’s game. And as fate would have it, we at The Raider Ramble released a full film breakdown and scouting report of the Raiders’ [projected] starting cornerback duo, Jakorian Bennett and Darien Porter, earlier in the week. Our video addresses all concerns with the starting unit, giving the strengths and weaknesses of the duo with full film breakdown along the way.
You can watch it by clicking here. Or, search manually on YouTube @ Ramble Digital Media.
But back to Maxx Crosby and the rookies.
While Crosby has also been impressed by what his fellow defensive linemen Tonka Hemmingway and J.J. Pegues have been able to do, he aims to be as un-positionally biased as possible. So, it’s onto the offense.
6-foot-4, 4.3-flat 40-time: A unit
It’s easy to be impressed with Ashton Jeanty. The sixth-overall pick who recorded more yards after contact and forced missed tackles in his ’24 campaign than any runner has in a single season throughout college football history, there’s little not to be impressed about. To an extent, the same can be said for second-rounder Jack Bech, a pro-ready receiver with exceptional footwork.
Those are the easy answers, as Crosby himself concedes. A 6-foot-5 receiver who runs a 4.3-flat is just as easy of an answer. The difference? Dont’e Thornton wasn’t selected in Day 1, or even Day 2. Thornton had to wait until Day 3 to hear his name get called.
And after watching him in-person with the Raiders, Crosby can’t believe that fact.
“Dont’e Thornton. The dude we drafted from Tennessee. The big receiver–another freak. 6-4.. I think he might be 6-5.. runs a 4-3, he reminds me of Martavis Bryant. He even looks like him. The way he runs, the way he catches the ball, he just reminds me of Martavis,” Crosby began saying about the Las Vegas Raiders’ fourth-round receiver.
“And it’s crazy because, a kid like that who’s, you know, he’s had success in college but hasn’t hit his full potential yet, seeing him on the field and realizing what he can be, from a player perspective you’re like, ‘Holy sh*t, this dude can be something serious.’ But he’s got a long way to go, and that’s the beautiful part about it. He needs a little bit of guidance but he’s a stud. He’s an absolute freak. You watch him on the field and you’re like, ‘Holy f*ck.’ He doesn’t look like everybody else.”
It’s really not too hard to see why Crosby is enamored with Dont’e Thornton–more specifically, what he can become.
More film for Raider Nation
If you aren’t too familiar with Thornton’s game, we’ve got you covered. Just like with Porter – and many other Raiders rookies – we have a full film breakdown and scouting report video on the 22-year-old, which you can watch by clicking here.
Or, simply watch the video below:
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*Top Photo: The Raider Ramble