Las Vegas Raiders rookie wide receiver Dont'e Thornton Jr. was quiet in the team's Week 1 win over New England, logging just two catches on four targets for 45 yards while playing 60% of the snaps. Encouragingly, he drew more targets than Tre Tucker despite fewer snaps, and the Raiders leaned on the passing game as Geno Smith threw for 362 yards. With Chip Kelly determined to stretch the field, Thornton's speed keeps him in play as a stash with big-play potential. The Week 2 matchup adds intrigue, as the Chargers just allowed the 10th-most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers in Week 1, giving Thornton an outside chance to make noise if he sees increased usage. Until his role grows, he's best kept on benches, but the upside is worth monitoring.
Sep 12, 2025 1:50 PM EST
Las Vegas Raiders rookie wide receiver Dont'e Thornton Jr. enters Week 1 as one of the more intriguing sleepers of the 2025 draft class. The 6'5" playmaker earned a starting role ahead of Amari Cooper's retirement and will face a Patriots secondary that could be without cornerback Christian Gonzalez. Thornton's size and downfield ability have made him a favorite target for quarterback Geno Smith throughout camp, flashing legitimate big-play upside. While his early-season role carries promise, the Raiders are still expected to lean on their running game, limiting his immediate fantasy ceiling. Thornton should be stashed on benches with the potential to develop into a key contributor.
Sep 5, 2025 7:21 PM EST
Las Vegas Raiders rookie wide receiver Dont'e Thornton Jr. is listed as a starter on the team's unofficial depth chart heading into a Week 1 matchup against the New England Patriots this Sunday. Meanwhile, Amari Cooper is listed on the second string after signing with the team late in training camp. Cooper could eventually become a bigger part of Vegas' offense, but going into the season opener, Thornton figures to have a big role in the passing attack. He should start in three-wide sets alongside Jakobi Meyers and Tre Tucker. The 22-year-old fourth-rounder has emerged ahead of fellow rookie Jack Bech after a strong training camp and preseason, but it remains to be seen exactly how much he'll be targeted by quarterback Geno Smith out of the gates. But Thornton's output alone this summer makes him deserving of a roster spot for receiver depth in deeper fantasy formats.
Sep 2, 2025 7:18 PM EST
Las Vegas Raiders rookie wide receiver Dont'e Thornton Jr.'s role in the team's offense is unclear with the addition of veteran wide receiver Amari Cooper to the fold. The University of Tennessee product has speed for days and garnered hype this Summer as the Raiders' legitimate WR2 alongside incumbent starter Jakobi Meyers. However, Cooper returning to the team that selected him fourth overall in the 2015 NFL Draft is unideal for the prospect. Currently, Thornton Jr. sits fourth on Las Vegas' unofficial depth chart, behind Cooper, Meyers, and third-year pass-catcher Tre Tucker, who has flashed as well. The possibility remains that Thornton Jr. will eventually work into the starting offense. For now, though, fantasy managers can't expect more than the occasional spike week. He carries more value in best ball and dynasty formats.
Aug 30, 2025 11:17 AM EST
Las Vegas Raiders rookie wide receiver Dont'e Thornton Jr. recorded two catches for 26 yards and a touchdown in his team's final preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals. The fourth-rounder out of Tennessee finishes the preseason with three catches on eight targets for 43 yards and a score. Thornton Jr.'s touchdown grab against Arizona came from starting quarterback Geno Smith on the team's first offensive possession. Thornton Jr. is listed as a starter on the team's depth chart, and he has a chance to emerge as the team's WR2 behind veteran Jakobi Meyers. He could be a solid value as a late-round dart-throw for fantasy managers, particularly in deeper leagues.
Aug 24, 2025 11:17 AM EST
On the Las Vegas Raiders' first unofficial depth chart of the preseason, they've listed rookie wide receiver Dont'e Thornton Jr. as a starter opposite Jakobi Meyers. Thornton has impressed all season leading into his first year in the NFL and continues to get reps with the first-team offense during training camp. With the Raiders expected to play their starters in their preseason opener this Thursday against the Seattle Seahawks, we should see the 22-year-old get some run with quarterback Geno Smith for a series or two. So far, Thornton has been more impressive than Jack Bech, and he could operate as Smith's top deep threat down the field in 2025. Thornton averaged an impressive 25.4 yards per catch in his final season at Tennessee and could be worth a late-round flier in deep fantasy leagues. RotoBaller has him ranked as the WR78.
Aug 6, 2025 12:06 PM EST
Las Vegas Raiders rookie wide receiver Dont'e Thornton Jr. continued to get first-team reps when the offense was in 11 personnel at training camp practice on Wednesday, according to Ryan McFadden of ESPN. Quarterback Geno Smith did throw a deep ball to Thornton, but it was broken up. Thornton, not second-rounder Jack Bech, has been getting reps with the first-team offense since the spring, so he could be a valuable deep threat with his speed for Smith in his first year in the NFL. Jakobi Meyers is the Raiders' WR1 entering the season, so there is plenty of opportunity for Thornton if he continues to impress the coaching staff and gain chemistry with Smith. Tre Tucker will be Thornton's primary competition for targets. At best, Thornton might be a boom/bust flex option for fantasy managers in deeper formats.
Jul 23, 2025 8:30 PM EST
Las Vegas Raiders rookie fourth-round wide receiver Dont'e Thornton Jr. made strides during the offseason, according to ESPN's Ryan McFadden. Thornton caught a touchdown during the red-zone period during the first day of mandatory minicamp this week and also made an impressive catch in the middle of the field on Thursday. The 22-year-old spent a good amount of time working with the first-team offense, with the Raiders occasionally lining him and Tre Tucker up on the outside and Jakobi Meyers in the slot. The 6-foot-5 wideout has a unique blend of size and speed and ran a 4.3-second 40-yard dash at the combine. The Raiders are expecting the Tennessee product to give them juice in the vertical passing attack. Thornton will likely be competing for playing time with Tucker as more of a boom/bust deep threat in fantasy.
Jun 13, 2025 1:08 PM EST
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Dont'e Thornton Jr. flashed at the team's Thursday OTA practice, according to team reporter Levi Edwards. The fourth-round rookie out of Tennessee turned heads at the 2025 NFL Combine after posting a 4.30-second 40-yard dash time at nearly 6-feet-5 inches tall, which proved to increase his draft stock mightily. The speedster led the nation in yards per reception last season (25.4) and tallied 26 catches for 661 yards and six touchdowns. Thornton might not have a significant or consistent impact right away behind Jakobi Meyers, Brock Bowers, Jack Bech, Tre Tucker, and potentially others in the target pecking order, but he has game-changing size-speed ability and could help the offense stretch the field in 2025. The 22-year-old is worth a late best ball dart throw and rookie draft flyer.
May 29, 2025 3:43 PM EST
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