Who Should I Start? Arian Smith or Dont'e Thornton Jr.

Sunday, August 31, 11:01 PM

The New York Jets expect rookie wide receiver Arian Smith to "contribute right away," according to ESPN's Rich Cimini. A fourth-round pick out of Georgia, Smith recorded 48 catches for 817 yards and four touchdowns in his final collegiate season for the Bulldogs. Outside of top wideout Garrett Wilson, the Jets are hurting for talent at the position. Veterans Josh Reynolds and Allen Lazard (shoulder) are penciled in as the team's WR2 and WR3, but Lazard is battling a shoulder injury. If Smith hits his upside as a prospect, he will bring a speed element down the field that the Jets' veteran receivers cannot. The 23-year-old is a name to monitor early in the season as a potential waiver-wire stash.

Friday, September 12, 1:50 PM

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.