Who Should I Start? Jahan Dotson or Dont'e Thornton Jr.

Wednesday, April 23, 10:38 PM

The Philadelphia Eagles declined the fifth-year option on wide receiver Jahan Dotson on Wednesday, a source told FOX Sports' Jordan Schultz. It means that the former 16th overall pick of the Washington Commanders in 2022 out of Penn State will head into a contract year in 2025. The 25-year-old pass-catcher spent the first two years of his career with Washington before joining the division-rival Eagles in 2024 and winning a Super Bowl with them. He was much more productive in his first two years in D.C., as he caught just 19 of 33 targets for 216 yards and no touchdowns with Philly in 17 regular-season games (six starts). The Eagles just had two many other weapons on offense for Dotson to really make a mark production-wise as the No. 4 aerial target behind wideouts A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith and tight end Dallas Goedert. Barring an injury to Brown or Smith in 2025, Dotson will be off the fantasy radar in most leagues.

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.