The Las Vegas Raiders may have pulled off one of the biggest steals of the 2025 NFL Draft, and his name is Tommy Mellott. Known as “Touchdown Tommy” to Montana State fans, Mellott is flipping the script on traditional player development, transforming from an elite FCS quarterback into a Swiss Army knife in the NFL.
Tommy Mellott Sparks Raiders Hope After Position Shift
Drafted in the sixth round, Mellott’s transition from under-center to all over the field has Raiders fans buzzing. At 5’11”, 208 pounds, Mellott isn’t the prototypical NFL quarterback. But what he lacks in size, he more than makes up for with elite athleticism and versatility.
During pre-draft testing, he clocked a 4.39-second 40-yard dash, leapt 41 inches vertically, and posted a 10’4” broad jump, earning a 96th percentile Relative Athletic Score (RAS) — rare numbers for any position.
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The Raiders clearly have no intention of boxing him into one role. College scouting director Brandon Yeargan described Mellott as a “Swiss Army knife,” emphasizing his potential to contribute immediately on special teams, in the receiving game, in coverage, and even as a trick-play quarterback.
Mellott’s player profile, a gritty, undersized QB with elite movement skills, has drawn natural comparisons to Julian Edelman, who famously made a similar transition with the New England Patriots, and even Percy Harvin, due to his game-breaking potential with the ball in space.
In fact, one viral Instagram post from Raiders camp read: “The Raiders might’ve found their Percy Harvin in the 6th round.”
While Mellott was technically drafted as a quarterback, the Raiders drafted North Dakota State’s Cam Miller just two picks later as a more traditional passer. This signals that Mellott’s future lies in a hybrid role, the kind of modern NFL weapon that teams covet but rarely develop from scratch.
A look at Mellott’s college résumé supports the hype. At Montana State, he finished second all-time in rushing touchdowns (43), third in rushing yards (3,517), fifth in passing touchdowns (53), and fifth in passing yards (5,810). His all-around production led to him winning the 2024 Walter Payton Award, the FCS equivalent of the Heisman Trophy.
With Tom Brady now part of the Raiders’ ownership group, there’s extra intrigue in how this offensive project unfolds. Brady, known for maximizing overlooked talent, could be an invaluable behind-the-scenes voice as Mellott’s unique path develops.
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Expect Mellott to make an early impact on special teams, with the potential to evolve into a dynamic offensive weapon. His blend of athleticism, football IQ, and competitive toughness makes him one of the most fascinating rookies to watch heading into training camp.
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