Who Should I Start? Brian Thomas Jr. or Rome Odunze

Thursday, August 7, 12:52 PM

Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. (illness) is back at training camp practice on Thursday, according to Michael DiRocco of ESPN. Thomas returns after sitting out on Wednesday while being under the weather. Head coach Liam Coen said that "everybody" will play in the preseason opener this Saturday against the Pittsburgh Steelers, so Thomas should be on the field. The 22-year-old is a top-10 fantasy wideout going into his second NFL campaign after impressing to the tune of 87 receptions for 1,282 yards and 10 touchdowns in 17 games (16 starts) as a rookie. The Jags added two-way star Travis Hunter in the first round this year, and he should take over immediately as the WR2 across from Thomas to help draw some attention away from him. In Coen's offense, Thomas could be even more prolific in Year 2.

Sunday, August 17, 10:15 PM

Chicago Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze went without a reception in his preseason debut against the Buffalo Bills. Odunze was targeted once on the game's second drive, but dropped his lone target on a curl route on a third down. Despite the dull night from the second-year receiver, Odunze ran half of his routes from the slot and could slide into the coveted Amon-Ra St. Brown role in head coach Ben Johnson's scheme. Odunze is having an impressive training camp and continues to see his fantasy stock rise this offseason. Even with a subpar night, the 2024 first-round pick remains a breakout candidate in fantasy this season.