Whether it was a draft pick, an undrafted rookie free agent or a tryout player – it seemed to be an even playing field at rookie minicamp.
The Raiders' rookie class took the field Friday for the first practice of rookie minicamp, with 11 draft picks, 15 UDFA signings, players on reserve/future contracts and tryout players in attendance.
Two practice fields were packed, classic rock tunes were blaring out the speakers and Pete Carroll could be seen donning blinding white receiver gloves. As he ran around the two fields coaching up each position group, he could also been seen casually doing backpedaling drills with his defensive backs.
"He's out there working on his press [coverage]. It's funny but I really appreciate it," said Darien Porter, third-round pick out of Iowa State. "To see that kind of energy in rookie minicamp this early in the process is awesome."
There was anticipation to see Ashton Jeanty in a Raiders uniform for the first time since being drafted with the No. 6 overall pick. He begins to live out his "lifelong dream" of being in the NFL following a remarkable senior season at Boise State with over 2,600 rushing yards and 29 touchdowns.
Throughout the day, he was given the task of leading the way in agility and footwork drills among the running backs, along with a few carries in team period.
"It's the first day on the field so [I'm] just getting out here and seeing everything, how it all works," Jeanty said. "But also when you're not going, seeing other people and other plays you got to learn as well."
Caleb Rogers, a third-round pick from Texas Tech, is looking forward to blocking Jeanty in what could be considered a full-circle experience for him. The offensive lineman told media that he's been linked with the running back for years now, as both played high school football in the Dallas-Forth Worth metropolitan area and their opposing high schools would scrimmage against each other.
"Just hearing a lot about him, I'm excited to continue to be around him, see how he works, see how he's a pro," Rogers said. "I've heard a lot about how he approaches the game and how he does a great job and I'm excited to just be a part of that."
"I'm just blessed to be here, I'm happy to continue going through this process and learn," he added. "I'm one day in so I don't have too much of an impression yet, but I'm just going to keep doing everything I can and just try to keep learning as much as I can."
Along with Jeanty, second-rounder Jack Bech could be seen making plays during team period – already creating chemistry with sixth-round pick, quarterback Cam Miller. While the physical aspect of the game is essential, the receiver believes the mental component goes hand in hand in the early portions of this process.
"Especially just getting here as a rookie – it's easy to come out here and understand to give a stutter and go, if you have a curl, if your blocking backside," Bech said. "But it's more about understanding the different leverages, understanding what the defense is doing and taking it a step further. Understanding the nuance of the game, knowing where to attack. ... [T]hat's how you last and that's how you become a great player. It's what is between the ears."
Rookie minicamp finished out this weekend before the entirety of the team returns for offseason workouts and OTAs starting May 19. While the new additions are competing against one another for jobs heading into training camp, they're also becoming acquainted with one other and building much-needed camaraderie.
"It's a new brotherhood. We're all welcoming each other, getting to know each other," Jeanty said. "Pete Carroll was saying it yesterday, we've all got to be connected and build relationships, and that's going to make us a better team and teammates."
"Everyone is excited, there's a lot of juice going around," Porter added. "Yeah, we made it to the NFL, but now the thing is to stay here and make your mark here. Everyone's flying around, everyone's got really good energy and we've only been here for two days but you're already starting to form those relationships that you can lean on those guys. I think it's really special and I think over this next weekend we're going to keep growing."
Head inside Intermountain Health Performance Center as the Raiders' 2025 rookie class arrives for minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Cam Miller (5) arrives at Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2025 Rookie Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Darien Porter (26) arrives at Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2025 Rookie Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders guard Caleb Rogers (76) arrives at Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2025 Rookie Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jack Bech (18) arrives at Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2025 Rookie Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Cody Lindenberg (54) arrives at Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2025 Rookie Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) arrives at Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2025 Rookie Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle Dominic Boyd (62) arrives at Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2025 Rookie Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle Charles Grant (60) arrives at Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2025 Rookie Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Zakhari Franklin (82) arrives at Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2025 Rookie Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Carter Runyon (46) arrives at Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2025 Rookie Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Tank Booker (73) arrives at Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2025 Rookie Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Greedy Vance (41) arrives at Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2025 Rookie Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Mello Dotson (35) arrives at Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2025 Rookie Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Jah Joyner (59) arrives at Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2025 Rookie Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders rookie helmets in the equipment room at Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2025 Rookie Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jack Bech's (18) helmet in the equipment room at Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2025 Rookie Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Darien Porter's (26) helmet in the equipment room at Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2025 Rookie Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle Charles Grant's (60) helmet in the equipment room at Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2025 Rookie Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Tommy Mellott's (19) helmet in the equipment room at Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2025 Rookie Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty's (2) helmet in the equipment room at Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2025 Rookie Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle Dominic Boyd (62) tries on a helmet in the equipment room at Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2025 Rookie Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle Dominic Boyd (62) tries on a helmet in the equipment room at Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2025 Rookie Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle Dominic Boyd (62) tries on a helmet in the equipment room at Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2025 Rookie Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Mello Dotson (35) tries on a helmet in the equipment room at Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2025 Rookie Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Mello Dotson (35) tries on a helmet in the equipment room at Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2025 Rookie Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Tank Booker (73) tries on a helmet in the equipment room at Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2025 Rookie Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Tank Booker (73) tries on a helmet in the equipment room at Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2025 Rookie Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Treven Ma'ae (68) tries on a helmet in the equipment room at Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2025 Rookie Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Pat Conroy (86) tries on a helmet in the equipment room at Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2025 Rookie Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tommy Mellott (19) tries on a helmet in the equipment room at Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2025 Rookie Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tommy Mellott (19) tries on a helmet in the equipment room at Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2025 Rookie Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tommy Mellott (19) tries on a helmet in the equipment room at Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2025 Rookie Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Matt Jones (42) tries on a helmet in the equipment room at Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2025 Rookie Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Matt Jones (42) tries on a helmet in the equipment room at Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2025 Rookie Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Zakhari Franklin (82) tries on a helmet in the equipment room at Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2025 Rookie Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders director of equipment operations Bob Romanski works on a helmet in the equipment room at Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2025 Rookie Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Zakhari Franklin (82) tries on a helmet in the equipment room at Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2025 Rookie Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Jah Joyner (59) tries on a helmet in the equipment room at Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2025 Rookie Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback John Humphrey (39) tries on a helmet in the equipment room at Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2025 Rookie Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Carter Runyon (46) tries on a helmet in the equipment room at Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2025 Rookie Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Tank Booker (73), tight end John Pat Conroy (86) and wide receiver Tommy Mellott (19) at Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2025 Rookie Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle JJ Pegues (92) tries on a helmet in the equipment room at Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2025 Rookie Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle JJ Pegues (92) tries on a helmet in the equipment room at Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2025 Rookie Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Cam Miller (5) tries on a helmet in the equipment room at Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2025 Rookie Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Cam Miller (5) in the equipment room at Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2025 Rookie Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Cam Miller (5) tries on a helmet in the equipment room at Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2025 Rookie Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle Charles Grant (60) in the equipment room at Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2025 Rookie Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Darien Porter (26) tries on a helmet in the equipment room at Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2025 Rookie Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle Charles Grant (60) tries on a helmet in the equipment room at Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2025 Rookie Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Darien Porter (26) in the equipment room at Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2025 Rookie Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders director of equipment operations Bob Romanski and defensive lineman Laki Tasi (79) in the equipment room at Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2025 Rookie Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle Charles Grant (60) in the equipment room at Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2025 Rookie Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Dont'e Thornton Jr. (10) tries on a helmet in the equipment room at Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2025 Rookie Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) in the equipment room at Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2025 Rookie Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle Charles Grant (60) tries on a helmet in the equipment room at Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2025 Rookie Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) tries on a helmet in the equipment room at Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2025 Rookie Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) tries on a helmet in the equipment room at Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2025 Rookie Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jack Bech (18) tries on a helmet in the equipment room at Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2025 Rookie Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders guard Jackson Powers-Johnson (58) and running back Ashton Jeanty (2) in the equipment room at Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2025 Rookie Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders assistant equipment manager Adam Johnson and wide receiver Jack Bech (18) in the equipment room at Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2025 Rookie Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Cody Lindenberg (54) tries on a helmet in the equipment room at Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2025 Rookie Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Cody Lindenberg (54) tries on a helmet in the equipment room at Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2025 Rookie Minicamp.
Rookie quarterback Cam Miller signs a contract with the Las Vegas Raiders at Las Vegas Raiders Headquarters.
Rookie defensive tackle JJ Pegues signs a contract with the Las Vegas Raiders at Las Vegas Raiders Headquarters.
Rookie linebacker Cody Lindenberg signs a contract with the Las Vegas Raiders at Las Vegas Raiders Headquarters.
Rookie tackle Charles Grant signs a contract with the Las Vegas Raiders at Las Vegas Raiders Headquarters.
Rookie running back Ashton Jeanty signs a contract with the Las Vegas Raiders at Las Vegas Raiders Headquarters.
Rookie defensive tackle Tonka Hemingway signs a contract with the Las Vegas Raiders at Las Vegas Raiders Headquarters.
Rookie quarterback Tommy Mellott signs a contract with the Las Vegas Raiders at Las Vegas Raiders Headquarters.
Rookie guard Caleb Rogers signs a contract with the Las Vegas Raiders at Las Vegas Raiders Headquarters.
