Who Should I Start? Elic Ayomanor or Dont'e Thornton Jr.

Tuesday, September 2, 3:19 PM

Jim Wyatt of TennesseeTitans.com writes that rookie wide receiver Elic Ayomanor is listed alongside Calvin Ridley and Tyler Lockett as a starter on the team's unofficial depth chart entering the Week 1 regular-season opener on Sunday against the hosting Denver Broncos. Ayomanor flashed in training camp and the preseason for Tennessee and displayed some strong chemistry with fellow rookie quarterback Cameron Ward. While the 22-year-old will probably go undrafted in all 12-team fantasy leagues, he's at least a young receiver to put on your watch list going into the 2025 campaign. Ayomanor played ahead of fellow rookie Chimere Dike in the preseason and has a leg up on the WR3 role already. Ridley is going to be the overwhelming favorite for the majority of targets, but don't rule out Ayomanor passing Lockett on the depth chart sooner than later.

Friday, September 5, 7:21 PM

Las Vegas Raiders rookie wide receiver Dont'e Thornton Jr. enters Week 1 as one of the more intriguing sleepers of the 2025 draft class. The 6'5" playmaker earned a starting role ahead of Amari Cooper's retirement and will face a Patriots secondary that could be without cornerback Christian Gonzalez. Thornton's size and downfield ability have made him a favorite target for quarterback Geno Smith throughout camp, flashing legitimate big-play upside. While his early-season role carries promise, the Raiders are still expected to lean on their running game, limiting his immediate fantasy ceiling. Thornton should be stashed on benches with the potential to develop into a key contributor.