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.

Thursday, May 29, 3:43 PM

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Dont'e Thornton Jr. flashed at the team's Thursday OTA practice, according to team reporter Levi Edwards. The fourth-round rookie out of Tennessee turned heads at the 2025 NFL Combine after posting a 4.30-second 40-yard dash time at nearly 6-feet-5 inches tall, which proved to increase his draft stock mightily. The speedster led the nation in yards per reception last season (25.4) and tallied 26 catches for 661 yards and six touchdowns. Thornton might not have a significant or consistent impact right away behind Jakobi Meyers, Brock Bowers, Jack Bech, Tre Tucker, and potentially others in the target pecking order, but he has game-changing size-speed ability and could help the offense stretch the field in 2025. The 22-year-old is worth a late best ball dart throw and rookie draft flyer.