Who Should I Start? Devaughn Vele or Dont'e Thornton Jr.
Week 1 Projections
| Fant. Pts. |
Rush. Yds. |
Rush TD |
Rec. | Rec. Yds. |
Rec TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Devaughn Vele News
Friday, June 12, 8:28 AM
Across 13 games in 2025, New Orleans Saints wide receiver Devaughn Vele recorded 25 catches for 293 yards and two touchdowns on 39 targets. Vele played a minimal role in his team's passing game early in the year, but he emerged as a larger piece after the Saints traded wide receiver Rashid Shaheed to the Seattle Seahawks at the 2025 trade deadline. Across a four-game stretch from Week 12 to Week 15, Vele recorded 19 receptions for 236 yards and a score on 26 targets. However, Vele suffered a season-ending shoulder injury in Week 15 and may now be facing another uphill battle for playing time in New Orleans in 2026. The Saints were aggressive in pursuing wide receiver talent in the 2026 NFL Draft, using a first-round pick on Jordyn Tyson and day three selections on wideouts Bryce Lance and Barion Brown. Although Vele is only in his third NFL campaign, he's already entering his age-29 season and likely offers limited upside for dynasty managers.
Week 1 Projections
| Fant. Pts. |
Rush. Yds. |
Rush TD |
Rec. | Rec. Yds. |
Rec TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Dont'e Thornton Jr. News
Sunday, March 29, 8:41 AM
A fourth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Dont'e Thornton Jr. struggled to establish himself as a rookie. Across 15 games (eight starts), the 23-year-old recorded just 10 catches for 135 yards and zero touchdowns on 30 targets. However, Thornton Jr. should have a significantly improved offensive ecosystem around him in Las Vegas in 2026. The Raiders hired former Seattle Seahawks play-caller Klint Kubiak as their new head coach and are also widely expected to select University of Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the number one overall pick in the upcoming draft. Additionally, the Las Vegas wide receiver depth chart currently looks like an open competition for playing time between incumbents Thornton Jr., Jack Bech, and Tre Tucker, as well as free agent additions Jalen Nailor and Dareke Young. Thornton Jr. did not show much reason for optimism as a rookie, so fantasy managers should proceed with caution. However, he also stands out as a buy-low candidate who could likely be acquired on the cheap after his underwhelming 2025 campaign.
Devaughn Vele vs. Dont'e Thornton Jr.
Still trying to decide between Vele and Thornton Jr.? Check on the latest news to make sure both players are active and healthy. Our PPR projections show that Devaughn Vele is projected to score 0.0 points this week while Dont'e Thornton Jr. is projected to score 0.0 points.
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