Who Should I Start? Colton Dowell or Jordan Watkins

Tuesday, May 20, 11:33 PM

Tennessee Titans wide receiver Colton Dowell (knee) has been taking part in organized team activities this week after missing the entire 2024 campaign following a torn ACL and meniscus in Week 17 of 2023. Dowell was the team's seventh-round selection (228th overall) in the 2023 NFL draft out of UT Martin. He appeared in only 10 games (one start) in his rookie season and hauled in one of his two targets for three yards. Most of his playing time that year came on special teams. Dowell is once again healthy, though, so he'll be gunning for a bigger role on offense heading into the 2025 campaign this fall. He'll be facing an uphill battle to even make the 53-man active roster out of training camp, though, as he's currently buried on the receiver depth chart behind Calvin Ridley, Tyler Lockett, Van Jefferson, Treylon Burks, rookies Elic Ayomanor and Chimere Dike, and James Proche II.

Tuesday, October 14, 3:35 PM

San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said that rookie wide receiver Jordan Watkins (calf) is expected to resume practicing this week, according to Matt Barrows of The Athletic. Watkins, a fourth-round selection back in April's NFL draft, has yet to make his NFL debut in 2025 due to a calf injury. It's been a major theme for the Niners so far this year as they continue to struggle with injuries, mainly to their offense. Watkins has been unable to take advantage of opportunities created by injuries to receivers Jauan Jennings (ribs) and Ricky Pearsall (knee) and tight end George Kittle (hamstring). It remains to be seen how much of a role the 23-year-old will have once he gets past his calf injury, but by then, the team's other primary pass-catchers might also be fully healthy. For now, Watkins is only a stash candidate in dynasty/keeper leagues.