Former Tennessee Vols wide receiver Dont’e Thornton didn’t have a big rookie season with the Las Vegas Raiders last year.

Thornton, a fourth round selection by the Raiders in the 2025 NFL Draft, played in 15 games as a rookie, but he caught just 10 passes for 135 yards and zero touchdowns.

Despite Thornton’s lack of production — that was common for quite a few players in Las Vegas last season — Raiders general manager John Spytek is still confident in the former Vol.

Raiders GM John Spytek expresses confidence in Dont’e Thornton

While speaking with reporters last month, Spytek was asked about Thornton and Jack Bech, who was also a rookie last season.

Spytek praised the way both players have spent their offseason in Las Vegas working to get better.

“Two guys who have spent a lot of time in Las Vegas when they could be elsewhere, and I see growth and maturity, a hunger,” said Spytek. “Maybe their rookie year did not go the way they wanted, and they are determined to make the most of the opportunity in front of them.”

“They’re both big, and they work really hard, and it’s really important to them,” added Spytek. “They seek people out and look for answers. They look for ways they can get better. They’re always trying to learn, and they work their tails off. It means a lot to both of those guys, and I’ll stand by guys like that.

“Guys who are willing to lay it on the line, exhaust themselves to get better, be vulnerable, ask questions, and take feedback and criticism in a sense. I think you want guys on your team like that because they’re going to get better.”

The Raiders were a bit of a mess last season, so it’s probably not fair to judge Thornton based solely on his stat line.

The former Vol, however, should be in a much better position to contribute this fall with capable quarterbacks like Kirk Cousins and former Indiana star Fernando Mendoza now on the Las Vegas roster.