Three Raiders veterans stumbling out of the gate at Pete Carroll’s first training camp

Devin White, Malcolm Koonce, and rookie Tommy Mellott face early struggles as new era begins in Henderson

Pete Carroll’s arrival in Las Vegas brought renewed energy and championship expectations to a franchise desperate for relevance. Yet as the Silver and Black progress through their first week of training camp under the veteran coach, not all players are living up to the heightened standards. Three key contributors—two established veterans and one promising rookie—have found themselves under scrutiny for all the wrong reasons at the Raiders’ Henderson facility.

The Carroll effect sets high bar

From day one, the 73-year-old Carroll made his intentions clear: no lengthy rebuild, no patience for mediocrity. The Super Bowl-winning coach brought his trademark enthusiasm and “Always Compete” philosophy to a Raiders organization that hasn’t seen playoff success since 2021.

“There’s not that many padded days before we’re playing. So, we’ll take advantage of every one of them and expect our guys to get after each other,” Carroll said during the first week of camp, setting the tone for intense competition at every position.

The new regime, featuring Carroll and General Manager John Spytek, has already reshaped the roster significantly. The acquisition of quarterback Geno Smith—reuniting him with Carroll from their Seattle days—and the drafting of Heisman Trophy runner-up running back Ashton Jeanty signal an all-in approach for 2025.

Devin White: Former All-Pro searching for lost form

Perhaps no player embodies the gap between reputation and current reality more than linebacker Devin White. The former Tampa Bay Buccaneer who terrorized offenses during the team’s Super Bowl run looks like a shadow of his dominant self early in camp.

White’s struggles are particularly concerning given his expected role as the defensive quarterback in Patrick Graham’s system. Coming off an injury-plagued season, the linebacker who once combined elite speed with violent tackling appears tentative, almost cautious in his approach.

“It’s hard to watch Devin White these days without thinking about the player he once was,” observed one camp attendee. “The linebacker who built his reputation on speed, instincts, and fire looked like a shadow of himself. Yes, he’s coming off an injury, but the joy seemed missing.”

A vote of confidence from Carroll

Despite the sluggish start, Carroll has publicly backed his veteran linebacker. In comments to reporters this week, the coach revealed a private conversation that offered hope:

“He’s back. He was on top of the world a few years ago, and then things just didn’t work out for one reason or another, but he’s back in action now. He came up to me and said, ‘I’m all in now,’ and he was dead serious in how he said it.”

The competition at linebacker remains fierce, with Germaine Pratt and even safety-turned-linebacker Jamal Adams pushing for snaps. White’s ability to recapture his Pro Bowl form will be crucial for a defense that needs playmakers behind an elite pass rush.

Malcolm Koonce: The comeback that hasn’t materialized yet

Malcolm Koonce’s situation might be the most critical of the three struggling players. After a breakout finish to the 2023 season—six sacks in his final four games—a torn ACL cost him all of 2024. Now, with Christian Wilkins surprisingly released, Koonce’s return has transformed from luxury to necessity.

The Raiders showed faith in Koonce with a one-year, $12 million prove-it deal, betting on his ability to return to form. Early returns haven’t justified that investment. During one-on-one pass rush drills, while Maxx Crosby dominates on the opposite side, Koonce has been noticeably quiet.

“The burst off the edge isn’t there yet,” noted defensive line coach Rob Leonard diplomatically when asked about Koonce’s progress. “We’re being patient with his process.”

A defense that needs him

The timing couldn’t be worse for a slow recovery. The Raiders’ defensive front already lacks depth behind Crosby, and Koonce was expected to provide a legitimate threat from the opposite edge. Without that complementary pass rush, opposing offenses can focus their protection schemes on neutralizing Crosby.

Koonce himself addressed the media during camp, acknowledging the challenge while maintaining optimism: “It’s a process coming back from the injury. I feel better every day, and I know the explosion will come back. Just got to trust the work.”

Tommy Mellott: Rookie receiver lost in the shuffle

While veterans struggle to recapture past glory, sixth-round rookie Tommy Mellott faces a different challenge: proving he belongs at all. After turning heads during OTAs and minicamp with smooth route running and reliable hands, Mellott has virtually disappeared once the competition intensified.

The Montana native’s struggles stand in stark contrast to other young receivers making noise in camp:

• Dont’e Thornton Jr. has connected multiple times with Geno Smith for explosive plays
• Jack Bech has emerged as a reliable target in the slot
• Tre Tucker continues building on his promising rookie season

Even veteran Alex Bachman has garnered more positive reviews than Mellott, who seems overwhelmed by the speed and complexity of NFL training camp.

Time running out

For a late-round pick, the margin for error is razor-thin. With established veterans like Jakobi Meyers locked into roster spots and competition fierce for the remaining positions, Mellott needs to make an impression quickly.

Special teams coordinator Tom McMahon, often the advocate for bubble players who contribute on special teams, offered measured comments: “Every rookie has an adjustment period. Some just take longer than others. He’s got the tools; now it’s about putting it together when it matters.”

Camp battles heating up across the roster

While these three players struggle, competition elsewhere has been fierce and productive:

Offensive line shuffle

• Jordan Meredith has taken first-team reps at center
• Jackson Powers-Johnson has slid to right guard
• Alex Cappa finds himself working with the second team

Secondary competition

• Eric Stokes and Decamerion Richardson have emerged as the top outside corners
• JT Woods has mixed in with starters at safety
• Jakorian Bennett works to prove last year’s struggles were an anomaly

Offensive weapons emerging

The contrast with struggling players becomes more apparent when watching the offensive skill positions:

• Ashton Jeanty has lived up to his billing as a dynamic playmaker
• Brock Bowers continues to show why he was worth a first-round pick
• The Smith-to-Thornton connection has become a camp highlight

The bigger picture

These early struggles matter because Carroll’s vision depends on immediate competitiveness. The AFC West remains arguably the NFL’s toughest division, with Kansas City’s dynasty showing no signs of decline, the Chargers rebuilding under new leadership, and Denver looking to build on last year’s progress.

For the Raiders to achieve Carroll’s goal of hovering around .500—a modest but realistic target for year one—they need contributors at every level. The margin for error in the modern NFL is too thin to carry passengers.

What’s at stake

For White and Koonce, their NFL futures may hang in the balance. Both signed prove-it deals expecting to rebuild their value in Carroll’s system. Continued struggles could turn them from core contributors to salary cap casualties.

Mellott faces a different pressure: simply making the roster. With 53 spots and intense competition, every practice rep matters for a player trying to catch coaches’ eyes.

Looking ahead

Training camp remains young, with the preseason offering additional opportunities for redemption. The installation of pads has just begun, often changing the dynamics of position battles. Some players simply take longer to round into form, particularly those returning from injury.

Carroll’s track record suggests patience with players who show the right attitude and work ethic. His “Always Compete” mantra means opportunities remain available for those willing to seize them. The question becomes whether White, Koonce, and Mellott can turn early struggles into eventual success stories.

As the Raiders continue their transformation under new leadership, these three players serve as reminders that not every piece fits perfectly from day one. Their ability to adapt, improve, and ultimately contribute will help determine whether Carroll’s ambitious timeline for success proves realistic or overly optimistic.

For now, all three remain works in progress in a camp full of competition, with time running short to prove they belong in the Silver and Black’s reimagined future.

Image Sources: https://sports.yahoo.com/article/3-key-las-vegas-raiders-033412086.html

Category: Sports
Subcategory: Football
Date: 08/01/2025