Who Should I Start? Adonai Mitchell or Dont'e Thornton Jr.

Sunday, August 24, 7:50 AM

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Adonai Mitchell caught his lone target for a four-yard gain in a 41-14 preseason win over the Cincinnati Bengals on Saturday. Mitchell got the start but was overshadowed by Laquon Treadwell, who popped off for 116 yards and a touchdown in the win. The second-year receiver's spot on the roster is safe but he appears to be behind Michael Pittman Jr., Josh Downs, and Alec Pierce on the depth chart. That being said, Downs is already dealing with a hamstring injury, a situation that could give Mitchell a larger role early in the season. For now, Mitchell is nothing more than a late-round dart throw in fantasy drafts.

Friday, September 5, 7:21 PM

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.