Brock Bowers played one preseason drive (Week 3). 11 total snaps, including one called back for penalty. On that drive: Bowers: 9 snaps Michael Mayer: 9 Jalen Nailor: 8 Connor Heyward: 7 Tre Tucker: 7 Jack Bech: 3 Ian Thomas: 1

Insight page Source View post on X

PositiveDepth ChartAug 26, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

Confirmed as a backup tight end on the Raiders' 53-man roster; Thomas will serve as a blocking tight end in 13 or 23 personnel packages alongside starter Brock Bowers and backup Michael Mayer.

Insight page Source Original

NegativeRoleAug 26, 2026Silver And Black Pride

Thomas is projected to make the 53-man roster as the third tight end and will serve as a blocking tight end in 13 or 23 personnel packages.

Insight page Source Original

PositiveDepth ChartAug 19, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

Thomas is locked in as a backup tight end for the Raiders' 53-man roster. The source notes he played pretty well in the preseason game against Arizona with a few nice blocks and a catch, justifying his roster spot.

Insight page Source Original

PositiveRoleAug 19, 2026Silver And Black Pride

The source maintains Ian Thomas as a backup tight end for the Raiders' 53-man roster prediction. Thomas played well in the preseason game against the Cardinals with a few nice blocks and a catch, which supports his retention on the roster as a backup behind Brock Bowers.

Insight page Source Original

NegativeRoleAug 18, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

Thomas was used as a sit-route option in the Raiders' passing game, occupying the middle linebacker on designed plays. He was open on a designed flat route on third-and-long but Mendoza chose to be aggressive and target a deeper option instead, showing Thomas is part of the offensive scheme but may not always be the primary target in high-leverage situations.

Insight page Source Original

PositiveUsageAug 18, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

Thomas was targeted on multiple plays in Mendoza's preseason debut, including a whip route against the nickelback where he created separation and caught a pass on the money before Mendoza took a hit, turning a potential third-and-long into a third-and-manageable situation.

Insight page Source Original

NegativeRoleAug 18, 2026Silver And Black Pride

Thomas, the tight end, was featured in play design as a sit-route runner occupying the linebacker. On the touchdown play to Bech, Thomas's sit route from the backfield shifted the middle linebacker one step closer to the middle, widening the window for Bech's slant. On the final play of the game, Thomas was the primary read on a designed flat route on third-and-long, and he was open, but Mendoza took a shot downfield to Thompkins instead.

Insight page Source Original

NegativeUsageAug 18, 2026Silver And Black Pride

Thomas was targeted on a whip route against the nickelback on a second-and-goal play where Mendoza worked through his reads, found nothing open on the primary progression, and came off the back as the pass rush collapsed. Mendoza hit Thomas, who created separation on the whip route, before taking a hit. The throw was on the money and turned a potential third-and-long into a third-and-manageable situation. In another scramble drill, Thomas' defender slipped, but Mendoza didn't have his eyes up while running and missed the opportunity.

Insight page Source Original

PositiveRoleAug 12, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

Thomas, a nine-year veteran, has a significant advantage in making the team at the third tight end spot after Carter Runyon suffered an early injury and hasn't been able to practice since.

Insight page Source Original

PositiveRoleAug 12, 2026Silver And Black Pride

Thomas, a nine-year veteran, has a significant advantage in making the team at the third tight end spot after Carter Runyon suffered an early injury and hasn't been able to practice since.

Insight page Source Original

PositiveRoleAug 10, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

Thomas is expected to step up into a depth tight end role in 2026 and see a fair share of 30-50 targets or more under new TE coach Luke Steckel, who emphasizes blocking and development.

Insight page Source Original

PositiveRoleAug 10, 2026Silver And Black Pride

Thomas is expected to step up into a depth tight end role in 2026 and see a fair share of 30-50 targets or more under new TE coach Luke Steckel, who emphasizes blocking and development.

Insight page Source Original

NegativeDepth ChartAug 1, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

Eight-year veteran tight end was brought back by new regime but wasn't a good run blocker last season despite reputation as a blocking tight end. At age 30, source questions the value of keeping him as a third tight end in a rebuilding year when younger option Carter Runyon (25) could get the job; however, source expects Thomas to make the 53-man roster because coaches love vets.

Insight page Source Original

NegativeDepth ChartAug 1, 2026Silver And Black Pride

30-year-old TE expected to make the 53-man roster despite being a poor fit for a rebuilding year; brought back by new regime with reputation as a blocking tight end, but wasn't a good run blocker last season; source questions the logic of keeping an eight-year veteran role player when 25-year-old Carter Runyon could get the third tight end job, though acknowledges coaches favor veterans.

Insight page Source Original

PositiveRoleJul 31, 2026ESPN NFL

Tight end Ian Thomas was the target of Fernando Mendoza's best throw during Wednesday's 11-on-11 period. Mendoza maintained his composure in the pocket despite heavy pressure and completed a pass in the middle of the field to Thomas.

Insight page Source Original

PositiveRoleJul 31, 2026ESPN NFL

Tight end Ian Thomas was targeted by quarterback Fernando Mendoza during Wednesday's 11-on-11 period. Mendoza maintained his composure in the pocket despite heavy pressure and completed a pass in the middle of the field to Thomas, which was noted as Mendoza's best throw of the day.

Insight page Source Original