Training Camp Notebook 7/27: Geno Smith, Aidan O'Connell clicking on offense

Jul 27, 2025 at 01:34 PM

Levi Edwards

Digital Team Reporter

A day away from pads coming on Monday morning, here are some notes and quotes from the Raiders' Sunday training camp practice.

Notes and Observations from Day 4 of practice

Offense

Sunday morning was Geno Smith's best camp practice, perfect timing too before pads come on Monday. During team period he was as precise as they come with the ball and seemingly excelled in every situational drill that came his way.
He threw a few impressive touchdowns, the two most notable being a deep pass to Tre Tucker and another in the corner of the end zone to Brock Bowers. Smith placed the ball so well on both throws, all his receivers had to do was stretch their hands out.
Aidan O'Connell also threw a deep touchdown pass to rookie receiver Jack Bech. While Bech impressed throughout OTAs, Sunday served as a good opportunity to start building chemistry. O'Connell also threw another touchdown to Alex Bachman during red zone drills.

Related Links

"He's gonna be a the focal point of this offense."@MJD talks with @Mike_Yam about expectations for Ashton Jeanty at @Raiders camp ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/bSTTX5Z1mV
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) July 27, 2025

Ashton Jeanty had a special observer at practice in someone who's also played the position at a high level. NFL Network analyst Maurice Jones-Drew was at the Raiders practice facility for Back Together Weekend with glowing things to say about the No. 6 overall pick.
"Ashton Jeanty is the best prospect I've scouted since I've been scouting," Jones-Drew told Raiders.com. "I've scouted Saquon Barkley and other guys. A lot of it is his skill set but also what he did and where he was. And that translates over. There is similarities in our game, I think he's a much better receiver than I was when I first got into the NFL. ... His vision, his contact balance, his ability to catch, his blocking – he is the full package."
Jones-Drew's scouting report shouldn't be taken lightly considering he's the Jacksonville Jaguars' career rushing touchdown leader. Pete Carroll also tried recruiting him out out of high school to USC. Ironically, Dirk Koetter, his former offensive coordinator with the Jaguars, was also Jeanty's offensive coordinator at Boise State.
"The Raiders have always been good when they had a strong running game," Jones-Drew added. "And I think Pete Carroll has always been successful when he had a strong running game. Ashton has that ability to be that every down guy to carry the ball and take the punishment that comes with being a running back in this day and age."
Jordan Meredith continued to take first-team reps at center during Sunday's practice. The makeup of the offensive line is something to keep an eye on as things get more physical this coming week.

Defense

The defensive line rotation continues to expand. Adam Butler, Jonah Laulu, Tyree Wilson and Zach Carter are all seeing an ample amount of reps.
The cornerback position is wide open too, with Darien Porter, Decamerion Richardson, Eric Stokes and Jakorian Bennett all shuffling between first and second-team reps. Fortunately, the competition has brought the best out of the four so far.
"We've got a good collective of a good group of fast, long guys," defensive coordinator Patrick Graham said. "And then tomorrow we'll get to the physicality part in terms of seeing who's going to be able to support the run, get their hands on people in press. I'm encouraged."
Toward the end of practice with the offense backed up against their own end zone, UDFA Greedy Vance nabbed an interception. He had five interceptions in his last three seasons in college at Florida State and USC.

Special Teams

After two days of Tommy Mellott getting the bulk of kick and punt returns, they switched things up during special teams drills. Running backs Sincere McCormick and Chris Collier got a crack at some reps, looking the part as well.

Quote of the day

Right now for me, Pete [Carroll] is my example. I'm learning how to [bring] a different approach and it's important to learn from the people that have done it before. Patrick Graham

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Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Seth Williams (83) on the field for practice at 2025 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.