Jack Bech is ready to show how versatile he can be for the Las Vegas Raiders in his rookie season
One goal was clear entering the 2025 NFL Draft for the Las Vegas Raiders — go get former Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith some weapons for his first season in silver and black. I'd say they completed their goal in just the draft alone, and they could still sign or trade for more weapons. Some […]
One goal was clear entering the 2025 NFL Draft for the Las Vegas Raiders — go get former Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith some weapons for his first season in silver and black. I'd say they completed their goal in just the draft alone, and they could still sign or trade for more weapons.
Some of the weapons they got in the draft can be immediate contributors, too. In fact, Jack Bech and Dont'e Thornton may end the season playing some big-time snaps, especially Bech, the Raiders' second-round pick. The Raiders will need a lot from him in 2025 and for a good reason.
Last year, Brock Bowers put on a show and was not the best tight end in the league, but you could argue he was one of the best pass catchers in the NFL, too. I'm by no means saying his game will fall off, but now teams have a whole season of film on him, where they can see his weaknesses, strengths, and where he's best at in terms of pre-snap alignments.
Giving Geno Smith more weapons and Bowers and Jakobi Meyers more help will be key in establishing a good offense in 2025. Bech and his versatility will be key in that, too. Since Bowers moves around so much in his alignments, you need other players around him who can also play different positions. Bech fits the profile, and he's ready to show why.
“It's hard for me to answer just how comfortable I feel inside and out," Bech told reporters via Zoom when asked what position he feels most comfortable at. "I can go and create mismatches, no matter if that's a cornerback, a nickel, a safety coming to roll down, a linebacker, whatever it may be. I love working in the middle of the field.
"I also love going on an island with the cornerback and go and beat him one on one. So, I feel like I just can be very flexible anywhere in the formation, and I'm excited to go learn this whole playbook inside and out and go show these coaches and this organization what I can do.”
The Raiders could be expecting Bech to play in the slot most of the time, that way he can work the middle and intermediate areas of the field. That's where he showed a ton of promise at TCU. But, don't get it wrong. Bech can absolutely play on the outside and win one-on-one matchups if he needs to.
When you watch his film from the outside spots, he has moments where the diamond release works very well, with a quick first step out of his initial juke or hesitation. And, while he is a pretty big dude, Bech isn't very slow. Of course, the NFL is a different level, but Bech could very well be a Brock Bowers type of player, but at the wide receiver spots.
Raiders drafting wide receiver Jack Bech says everything about the personality Pete Carroll wants the offense to have
The Raiders needed a wide receiver.
