Welcome to the team - WR Jack Bech

The Huddle Report ranked Bech #60 (Arif has him @#58)

Boylhart’s take on Bech:

Jack Bech WR TCU ​

Jack is on a mission, and that mission has given Jack the confidence to play at a level he never thought was attainable. Tell me, what do Cooper Kupp selected in the 3rd round, Devante Adams selected in the 3rd round, Puka Nacua selected in the 5th round, and Adam Thielen who was undrafted, all have in common? They are all about the same size as Jack, and their workout numbers are all about the same but that is not what makes them all excellent receivers, in fact, as far as teams were concerned, their workout numbers led to them all being down-graded. So, what does Jack have in common with all of those players you ask...Jack catches the ball. Jack catches the ball over his head, under his legs, with players hanging on him. He runs his routes with annoying consistency and will adjust his route making it easier for his quarterback when he breaks the pocket. Jack is on a mission and that mission is to catch the ball when it is thrown to him with no excuses. Jack has that annoying football intelligence that will allow him to play inside or outside. He also can establish that annoying trust built with his quarterback and play-caller that other receivers will wonder how he established that trust. That trust is established because Jack catches the ball with no excuses. So, nitpick away. Use the fact that Jack only has one season of stats to show as outstanding, he’s not fast, he’s not fluid enough to run routes. I’ll take my Cooper, Devante, Puka, Adam, and Jack Bech over your 4.3 receiver who is fast and fluid but struggles to catch the ball with excuses. Talent Grade: 2.64
 
Per The Beast:


STRENGTHS:
● Physically strapped together — by the time you're done reading this, he got in another lift
● Impeccable hand-eye coordination to frame the football, regardless of action required
● Uniquely effective catching the football with defenders hanging all over him
● Uses his physicality and focus to shield and force defenders to go through him (led the FBS in slant routes in 2024)
● Coordinated footwork and leverage points help him create a step of space out of route cuts
● Works his eyes and shoulders mid-route and has some savvy to his game
● Strong and balanced post-catch and often makes the first man miss
● Gets after it as a blocker, with plenty of compete in his DNA
● Primarily an inside receiver his first three years in college before moving outside in 2024
● Unmeasurable mental toughness and leans on his faith (regularly attended bible study at TCU) to get him through adversity, including his brother's tragic death

WEAKNESSES:
● Quicker than fast and not a true burner
● NFL corners will squat on his routes until he proves to be a true deep threat
● Needs a beat to get back to full speed after physical defenders grind down his momentum
● Big jam target, so NFL press coverage will require some adjustments
● Struggled to stay healthy in college: MCL injury in the 2024 regular-season finale, which sidelined him for the bowl game (was able to return for the Senior Bowl); lingering injury from the 2022 season at LSU kept him sidelined for 2023 spring practices at TCU and carried into the season; ankle injury (Oct. 2023) that required tightrope surgery and forced him to miss four games.

SUMMARY: A one-year starter at TCU, Bech was an outside receiver (primarily to the right of the formation) in ofensive coordinator Kendal Briles' up-tempo, spread attack. As a hybrid receiver/tight end as a true freshman at LSU, he was part of a pass-catching group that included four future NFL Draft picks (Malik Nabers, Brian Thomas Jr., Kayshon Boutte, Trey Palmer), yet it was Bech who led the Tigers in receptions in 2021. After the coaching change in Baton Rouge, he transferred to TCU but battled injuries in 2023 before breaking out as a senior, becoming just the fifth player in program history to surpass 1,000 yards receiving in a season.

Although he isn't super dynamic, Bech is a smooth, physical athlete who can get in and out of breaks with gear change and route savvy (head fakes, body lean, etc.). He is a skilled ball tracker and plays with supreme confidence in his ability to adjust, frame and finish grabs (one drop on 91 targets in 2024). Overall, Bech's acceleration is more build-up than immediate, and he will need to prove himself versus NFL press coverage, but he is urgent as a route runner with the ball-winning skills and competitive personality that will play. He has experience both inside and outside, and his play style is reminiscent of Puka Nacua.

GRADE: 2nd-3rd round (No. 72 overall)
 

Raiders draft WR Jack Bech: How he fits, pick grade and scouting intel​


By Tashan Reed and Alex Andrejev
April 25, 2025Updated 9:10 pm EDT
The Las Vegas Raiders have selected wide receiver Jack Bech with the No. 58 pick in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft.

Bech was a standout receiver at TCU last season. His brother, Tiger Bech, was one of 14 people killed in a terrorist attack on New Year’s Day in New Orleans. Wearing a No. 7 jersey to honor his late brother, Bech starred in this year’s Senior Bowl, where he caught the winning touchdown and was named the game’s MVP.

“Everything I’m doing out here is just all for him and in memory of him,” Bech said the week of the Senior Bowl about his older brother, a former Princeton football player.

Bech’s draft selection is an especially significant moment, as he previously said Tiger had achieved all of his dreams except for playing in the NFL. Now, Bech is making that dream a reality for himself and Tiger, whom he calls his other half.

Bech led the Horned Frogs with 62 catches for 1,034 yards and nine receiving touchdowns during the 2024 season. The Lafayette, La., native spent his first two years playing for LSU before transferring to TCU in 2023.

‘The Beast’ breakdown​

Bech ranked No. 72 in Dane Brugler’s top 300 big board. Here’s what Brugler had to say about him in his annual NFL Draft guide:

“A one-year starter at TCU, Bech was an outside receiver (primarily to the right of the formation) in offensive coordinator Kendal Briles’ up-tempo, spread attack. As a hybrid receiver/tight end as a true freshman at LSU, he was part of a pass-catching group that included four future NFL Draft picks (Malik Nabers, Brian Thomas Jr., Kayshon Boutte, Trey Palmer), yet it was Bech who led the Tigers in receptions in 2021. After the coaching change in Baton Rouge, he transferred to TCU but battled injuries in 2023 before breaking out as a senior, becoming just the fifth player in program history to surpass 1,000 yards receiving in a season.

“Although he isn’t super dynamic, Bech is a smooth, physical athlete who can get in and out of breaks with gear change and route savvy (head fakes, body lean, etc.). He is a skilled ball tracker and plays with supreme confidence in his ability to adjust, frame and finish grabs (one drop on 91 targets in 2024). Overall, Bech’s acceleration is more build-up than immediate, and he will need to prove himself versus NFL press coverage, but he is urgent as a route runner with the ball-winning skills and competitive personality that will play. He has experience both inside and outside, and his play style is reminiscent of Puka Nacua.”

Nick Baumgardner grades the pick​

The Raiders made some savvy trades, picking up extra picks and now they land one of the most underrated players in the 2025 NFL Draft. Bech is a big-time competitor, a hammer of a blocker and was the best wide receiver at the Senior Bowl this year after a highly productive season at TCU after overcoming injuries and being stuck behind Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr. at LSU. He’s reminiscent of Puka Nacua.

Grade: A​

How he fits​

Bech played both outside and slot receiver throughout his college career. His physical traits don’t jump out at you — he’s 6-foot-1, 214 pounds and has just above average speed and athleticism — but he’s a smooth route runner, has good ball skills, has a knack for making defenders miss once the ball is in his hands and is a physical player both as a receiver and blocker. At the next level, he’ll need to do a better job of beating press coverage to be consistently productive.

Depth-chart impact​

The Raiders will start Bech right away alongside Jakobi Meyers and Tre Tucker. Bech and Meyers can both line up as slot receivers and outside receivers and will likely be used in different alignments by offensive coordinator Chip Kelly. The rest of the Raiders’ depth at receiver is suspect behind their lead trio, so it wouldn’t be a surprise to see them continue to add to this position group, whether it’s through the draft or free agency.

They also could have picked …​

The most notable player who the Raiders passed on was Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders. The Raiders want to add a developmental quarterback at some point in the draft, according to team sources, but opted to wait until later in the draft. Other prospects at positions of need who were still on the board are Mississippi cornerback Trey Amos, Florida State cornerback Azareye’h Thomas, East Carolina cornerback Shavon Revel Jr. and Iowa State receiver Jaylin Noel.

Fast evaluation​

Bech fills an immediate need for the Raiders and continues the effort to reinvigorate an offense that’s been stuck on a hamster wheel of mediocrity for the last few years. The Athletic draft analyst Dane Brugler compared Bech’s play style to Los Angeles Rams star receiver Puka Nacua. If he comes anywhere close to that, then this will be a hell of a steal for the Raiders.
 
If Thomas is considered one of the best CBs left, this draft is down bad.
 
Lance Zierlein NFL.com:


Prospect Grade
6.34
Will eventually be plus starter

NFL Comparison
Cedric Tillman

Overview
Competitive inside or outside target who stands out as a box-checker in several important columns. Bech can be slowed in press and might not have much separation speed, but he’s a big, strong receiver with outstanding ball skills. He’s physical at the top of the route and has a rebounder’s feel for owning catch space once he gains top positioning. His hands are sticky and strong with elite catch focus from any spot on the field. He’s fearless and physical as a runner but needs more nastiness as a run blocker. Bech’s lack of explosiveness could shrink his work space, but the focus should be on his pro-ready toughness and ball skills that make him a projectable possession target with WR3 upside.

Strengths​

  • Good size with above-average play strength.
  • Plays with good body control and toughness.
  • Ball skills create a buzzy talking point for scouts.
  • Pins defender and battles to maintain top position on possession routes.
  • Exceptional ball-tracking with razor-sharp catch focus downfield.
  • Keeps defender out of his frame and catches late with sudden hands.
  • Uses strength to break tackles and roll up additional yardage.

Weaknesses​

  • Route departures are delayed by aggressive press coverage.
  • Below-average suddenness and burst getting through route turns and breaks.
  • Unable to race past and stack man corners on the outside.
  • Effort and effectiveness as a run blocker need to improve.
  • Needs to adjust and create catch space sooner on jump balls.
 
"Bech's brother Tiger was killed in the New Orleans terrorist attack on New Year's Eve."

Oh man. That sucks.
 
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