Who Should I Start? Jalin Hyatt or Dont'e Thornton Jr.

Sunday, January 4, 12:08 PM

New York Giants wide receiver Jalin Hyatt (illness) is officially inactive for Sunday's Week 18 contest against the Dallas Cowboys. Hyatt was listed as questionable. He missed two consecutive practices before upgrading to a limited participant on Friday. The 24-year-old had been a healthy scratch in each of the last two weeks, and he played just four snaps over the last five games. As a result, it's unclear if Hyatt's absence is related to his illness or if he's merely a healthy scratch. Regardless, his absence is notable in a game where the Giants will also be without Wan'Dale Robinson (rib), Ryan Miller (coach's decision), and Theo Johnson (illness). Darius Slayton will operate as the Giants' No. 1 receiver while Gunner Olszewski, Isaiah Hodgins, and Xavier Gipson also get more involved.

Wednesday, December 31, 12:25 AM

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Dont'e Thornton Jr. has had a quiet rookie season, recording 10 catches (29 targets) for 135 yards and zero touchdowns in 14 games. Thornton earned steady playing time out of the gate -- 61.8% of the snaps over the first five weeks -- and drew at least two targets in each game. Known for his speed and big-play ability as a prospect, he showcased his explosiveness for the Raiders in the first three games of his career, hauling in five of his 12 targets for 94 yards. The Tennessee product posted a 25% explosive-catch rate, tied for the highest in the league among receivers with at least 12 targets during that span. The rookie fourth-rounder's snaps eventually faded, beginning in Week 11, where he played on only 38.3% of snaps and gradually declined every week until bottoming out to 7.4% in Week 16. However, in Week 17, with the Raiders competing for the No. 1 overall pick, Thornton's snaps spiked to 78%. He recorded just two catches (four targets) for 12 yards, but he had his most receptions and targets in a game since Week 3. Looking to 2026, Thornton profiles as a big-play threat who is unlikely to be a consistent producer week to week.