One of the most interesting players the Las Vegas Raiders took in the 2025 NFL Draft was former Montana State quarterback Tommy Mellott. He had to switch positions to wide receiver, but there was some hype around him due to the fact that he ran a 4.39 40-yard dash.
The Raiders seemed high on his potential upside, but they apparently didn’t see enough from him this offseason. Mellott didn’t make the initial 53-man roster. That wasn’t a huge surprise, as many expected him to get added to the practice squad.
However, the Raiders filled out their practice squad, and Mellott’s name was nowhere to be seen. General manager John Spytek explained why the team couldn’t justify holding a spot for him, but did leave the door open for a potential reunion.
“I have a lot of respect for Tommy, and there was a lot of hard decisions that we made the last couple of days. Ultimately, our responsibility, coach (Carroll) and myself, is to put the best 53, and then 17 after that, to get ready to win football games,” Spytek told reporters on Wednesday. “There’s always a development part of that, too. But there’s a reality, sometimes, that who is most ready, and who is furthest along and who can help this team win the most. Ultimately, we made some decisions that didn’t include him, for now.”
Could Mellott Still Have a Chance at an NFL Career
If not the Raiders, Mellott should get another chance elsewhere just based on his pure athletic ability. He rushed for 1,050 yards and 15 touchdowns as a quarterback in his last year in college.
The issue facing him is that he needs to work. The Raiders knew this, but still decided to move on. That’s not a good sign. There are plenty of hyper-athletic players who come into the NFL and never make a career.
Mellott is still young, so he has time, but he’s going to have to work hard and be patient before he’s going to get a real shot.
Spytek Talks Difference in Being a GM
Spytek is a longtime scout who has worked his way up through a number of high-level front offices. However, it’s a different ball game when you’re the head decision maker.
This roster cut deadline was the first time he was responsible for making the final call on the players who would get cut. He spoke about the process and what the biggest difference is between being an assistant general manager and a general manager.
“For me, I think the big difference is that ultimately somebody has to make a decision,” Spytek said. “On the personnel side, a lot of times in harmony with Pete, it comes down to me and him. The hardest or the most different thing for me yesterday probably, and the day before, was when we talked to the guys we unfortunately had let go.
“That’s a different conversation than I’ve had in the past. In the past, it was more like maybe I was the person just delivering the news. But I think there was an understanding looking at them like, [I’m] part of the main reason why.”
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