The Las Vegas Raiders are no strangers to bold moves on draft day, but their decision to select Tommy Mellott—affectionately known as “Touchdown Tommy”—might be one of the most fascinating gambles in recent memory. A standout quarterback at Montana State with a flair for the dramatic and a penchant for big plays, Mellott doesn’t fit the mold of a traditional NFL signal-caller. Yet, under the innovative eye of new Raiders offensive coordinator Chip Kelly, he may not have to.
Mellott’s selection came late in the NFL Draft, far from the bright lights of Round 1, but the buzz around the Raiders’ war room was undeniable. This wasn’t just a flyer on a small-school star. This was a targeted move. Those familiar with Kelly’s offensive philosophies—his affinity for fast tempo, unorthodox formations, and versatile personnel—saw the writing on the wall immediately. Mellott isn’t just a depth piece or a developmental quarterback. He’s a gadget guy. A multi-dimensional threat. A wildcard.
At 6-foot and just over 200 pounds, Mellott’s measurables aren’t going to drop jaws at the Combine. He doesn’t possess a cannon arm or the frame of a prototypical NFL quarterback. But what he does have—vision, creativity, a fearless running style, and above all else, versatility—is the kind of skill set that Kelly has maximized time and time again throughout his career. In Oregon, it was De’Anthony Thomas. In San Francisco and Philadelphia, it was the rotating carousel of backs and hybrid playmakers that he deployed to keep defenses guessing. Mellott could be the next iteration of that philosophy.
What makes Mellott so unique is the sheer volume of things he can do. During his time at Montana State, he didn’t just play quarterback—he dominated as a runner, passer, and even lined up at receiver when called upon. In a playoff game against South Dakota State, Mellott accounted for all five of Montana State’s touchdowns, three with his legs and two with his arm. He was the pulse of the Bobcats’ offense, the guy everyone leaned on in crunch time. But now, with the Raiders, the question isn’t if he’ll find the field—it’s how.
Sources inside the Raiders organization describe Kelly as “ecstatic” to land Mellott, a player he reportedly had circled long before the draft. The idea is not to mold Mellott into a traditional quarterback, but to unleash him as a chess piece—one who can motion into the backfield, line up in the slot, take direct snaps, or run option plays. Some have compared his potential role to that of Taysom Hill in New Orleans, though Kelly’s style suggests an even wider
