Who Should I Start? Dominic Lovett or Tommy Mellott

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.

Friday, May 23, 12:19 PM

The Athletic's Tashan Reed reports that Las Vegas Raiders rookie sixth-rounder Tommy Mellott got significant action at slot receiver during an OTA practice this week. The quarterback-turned-receiver made cornerback Darnay Holmes fall on an in-and-out route on one rep before catching a pass from quarterback Geno Smith and turning upfield. Receiver Tre Tucker made the most impressive play of the day on a deep route where he got open over the top of the safety for a diving catch. Tucker started most of last year, but his role could be in jeopardy in 2025 after the Raiders drafted Dont'e Thornton and Jack Bech. Mellott is fast and athletic at 6-foot, 208 pounds but will most likely serve in a depth role at wideout in his first year in the NFL while also contributing as a return option on special teams.