Who Should I Start? Darius Slayton or Dont'e Thornton Jr.

Thursday, September 11, 6:51 PM

New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton (groin) popped up on Thursday's injury report and was listed as a limited participant in practice despite not showing up on the initial Week 2 injury report on Wednesday. If Slayton is unable to return to a full practice on Friday, he could be considered questionable for the Week 2 matchup against the division-rival Dallas Cowboys this Sunday. Even if the 28-year-old is cleared to play this weekend, fantasy managers in most leagues should be avoiding Slayton in a Giants offense that struggled to move the ball in the season-opening loss to the Washington Commanders under new quarterback Russell Wilson. At best, Slayton is a low-volume WR3 in New York's offense behind Malik Nabers and Wan'Dale Robinson. In Week 1, he failed to corral his only target from Wilson.

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.