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Raiders’ pair of 6th-round picks ranked best in entire NFL Draft to make Tom Brady happy

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The Sporting News
4h ago
Raiders’ pair of 6th-round picks ranked best in entire NFL Draft to make Tom Brady happy

Context:

The Las Vegas Raiders made notable selections in the sixth round of the NFL Draft, particularly with receiver Tommy Mellott and quarterback Cam Miller, who were highlighted as the best picks by ESPN's Kaylen Kahler. Mellott, expected to transition from quarterback to a versatile receiver role akin to Taysom Hill, boasts the potential to become a significant player on special teams. Meanwhile, Miller, a promising developmental quarterback from North Dakota State, impressed scouts with his pro day performance and will benefit from learning behind Geno Smith. These strategic picks echo the success of owner Tom Brady, himself a sixth-round draft choice, and could have substantial payoffs if they reach even a fraction of Brady's success. The Raiders' approach of choosing underrated prospects in later rounds has been applauded for its foresight and potential high reward outcomes.

Dive Deeper:

  • Tommy Mellott and Cam Miller, selected in the sixth round by the Raiders, were acclaimed as the best picks of the draft by ESPN's Kaylen Kahler, which is a significant acknowledgment given the competitive nature of the draft.

  • Mellott, originally a quarterback, is expected to transition into a receiver role and become a multifaceted player similar to Taysom Hill, showcasing adaptability and potential on special teams.

  • Miller, a quarterback from North Dakota State, stood out during his pro day and is regarded as a promising developmental prospect who will have the opportunity to learn from experienced quarterback Geno Smith.

  • The Raiders' strategy of opting for lesser-known talents in the sixth round mirrors the success story of their owner Tom Brady, who was also a sixth-round pick and went on to achieve legendary status.

  • Selecting Mellott and Miller reflects a nuanced and strategic draft approach, focusing on players with high potential and the ability to excel in versatile roles, which could significantly benefit the team.

  • The comparisons drawn between Mellott and Julian Edelman for their physical traits and potential as converted quarterbacks highlight the Raiders' keen eye for talent with transformative capabilities.

  • The positive reception of the Raiders' draft choices underscores the importance of strategic depth in drafting, where late-round picks can yield high rewards and influence the team's future success profoundly.

  • The Las Vegas Raiders headlined their NFL Draft by taking Ashton Jeanty to be their running back with the sixth overall pick.

  • But it's in the sixth round that they may have won the draft.

  • ESPN's Kaylen Kahler determined that two Las Vegas sixth-round selections were the two best picks of the entire draft.

  • Here's the statement:

  • "Receiver Tommy Mellott (No. 213) and quarterback Cam Miller (No. 215) to the Raiders," Kahler writes. "Yes, I'm writing about Mellott again, but I really loved the back-to-back FCS picks by Las Vegas. Mellott will likely convert from quarterback to receiver and become a Taysom Hill-like gadget player on special teams. Miller was a favorite developmental quarterback for several scouts. He had a really impressive pro day and could prove to be a great pick."

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  • Mellott has been compared to owner Tom Brady's new Julian Edelman, a small-school converted QB with great physical traits who can be a star receiver after his quarterback career at Montana State.

  • Miller comes from powerhouse North Dakota State and will get to learn behind Geno Smith.

  • It's a cool nuanced pairing of selections by Kahler in a list that saw other ESPN writers picking much earlier draft selections as their favorites.

  • The Raiders took two strong chances in the back half of the sixth round. Famously, their owner Brady was a sixth-round choice.

  • If they paid off even a bit as well as Brady, Mellott and Miller would be huge winners.

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