Who Should I Start? Dominic Lovett or Jordan Watkins

Thursday, July 31, 11:42 PM

Detroit Lions rookie wide receiver Dominic Lovett was targeted nine times during his team's 34-7 preseason loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, hauling in five catches for 31 yards. The 22-year-old also featured prominently on special teams, returning a kick for 22 yards and a punt for 19. A seventh-round pick out of Georgia, Lovett recorded 59 catches for 607 yards and six touchdowns in 14 games with the Bulldogs last season. He figures to be competing with veteran Kalif Raymond for Detroit's WR4/return specialist role. Raymond has been a steady contributor across four seasons in Detroit heading into 2025, but he's entering his age-31 season, and his 17 catches in 2024 were his fewest since 2020. Lovett would need multiple injuries in the Lions' receiver room to be fantasy relevant in 2025, but a strong preseason could assure him of a roster spot.

Wednesday, October 8, 12:50 AM

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jordan Watkins (calf) was seen running on a side field at the team's first practice of the week on Monday. The rookie's NFL debut has been delayed, first by a preseason high ankle sprain and more recently by a calf injury. In Week 2, he was cleared to play but ended up as a healthy scratch. Since then, Watkins logged one limited practice in Week 3 but did not practice at all ahead of Weeks 4 and 5. A more thorough understanding of his status should come following the team's first official practice and injury report on Wednesday. San Francisco doesn't seem to be in a hurry to get their 2025 fourth-rounder into action, but with starters Ricky Pearsall (knee) and Jauan Jennings (ankle, ribs) both ailing, the team could use extra depth at wide receiver.