Who Should I Start? Ainias Smith or Dominic Lovett

Tuesday, August 19, 9:35 AM

Second-year Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Ainias Smith has enjoyed a healthy training camp, and his coaches have taken notice. Last season, as a fifth-round rookie, he struggled through camp with a stress fracture in his shin that would eventually land him on Injured Reserve for two months. This year, he is healthy and competing for one of the Eagles' last receiver spots on the 53-man roster. He has played in each of the team's first two preseason games, catching a touchdown in both and returning punts and kicks, as his path to the roster may run through special teams. Smith has been competing with fellow second-year wideout Johnny Wilson and undrafted rookie Darius Cooper for one of the team's final roster spots, and on Sunday, the Eagles acquired former second-round pick John Metchie III from the Houston Texans. Whoever can win the camp battle will have little relevance in managed redraft leagues, but could be worth a stash in deep dynasty formats.

Thursday, July 31, 11:42 PM

Detroit Lions rookie wide receiver Dominic Lovett was targeted nine times during his team's 34-7 preseason loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, hauling in five catches for 31 yards. The 22-year-old also featured prominently on special teams, returning a kick for 22 yards and a punt for 19. A seventh-round pick out of Georgia, Lovett recorded 59 catches for 607 yards and six touchdowns in 14 games with the Bulldogs last season. He figures to be competing with veteran Kalif Raymond for Detroit's WR4/return specialist role. Raymond has been a steady contributor across four seasons in Detroit heading into 2025, but he's entering his age-31 season, and his 17 catches in 2024 were his fewest since 2020. Lovett would need multiple injuries in the Lions' receiver room to be fantasy relevant in 2025, but a strong preseason could assure him of a roster spot.