'It really matters to these guys kind of too much sometimes' – Adam Butler reveals what separates Raiders rookies from others
When the Las Vegas Raiders were in their prep for the 2025 NFL Draft, they made sure there were a few things they got from each rookie. They wanted good players but also sought individuals who were good people and hard workers. We have already heard a great deal about Ashton Jeanty and his unbelievable […]
When the Las Vegas Raiders were in their prep for the 2025 NFL Draft, they made sure there were a few things they got from each rookie. They wanted good players but also sought individuals who were good people and hard workers.
We have already heard a great deal about Ashton Jeanty and his unbelievable skill set, as well as Darien Porter and Dont'e Thornton Jr. and their combination of size and speed, which is almost never seen. We have heard about J.J. Pegues and his ability to run the football as a defensive tackle.
But one thing in common with all of these guys is the two intangible qualities I mentioned earlier. And, from what some of the veterans are seeing, those qualities certainly fit the rookies on the defensive line.
"Yeah, I think they work hard," Adam Butler told reporters at mandatory minicamp when asked about the defensive line rookies. "I don't sense that – some guys come in and you can tell if it really matters to them or not. It really matters to these guys, kind of too much sometimes. You want them to loosen up.
"I try to tell them to loosen up, but they're all the whole time, and that's how you know that they really care, though, and they're intentional about their work. So, I'm pleased with them in the way that they've come to work."
The Raiders made sure of that with this new regime and this restart. After the last few regimes had some cultural issues, they could not afford to bring players in who wouldn't follow and buy into the culture. The defensive line is already working hard because they know that, right now, there are reps to be had with Christian Wilkins out.
That is the kind of rookie that you want on your team. Pete Carroll and John Spytek just did what they knew from their Seattle Seahawks and Tampa Bay Buccaneers days.
Raiders veteran DT Adam Butler is making it clear that he does not like the tackle dummy at mandatory minicamp
The Raiders have some funny guys on the team.
