Who Should I Start? Jermaine Burton or Dont'e Thornton Jr.

Sunday, September 14, 11:42 AM

For the second straight week to begin the 2025 season, Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Jermaine Burton is a healthy inactive for the Week 2 contest against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Burton had a pretty rough rookie season in 2024 that involved some maturity issues, but he got rave reviews during training camp in the summer. For now, though, Charlie Jones is ahead of him as the team's WR4 behind Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and Andrei Iosivas. The 24-year-old former third-rounder caught four passes for 107 yards on 14 targets in 14 games in his rookie season. Burton isn't anywhere close to the fantasy radar in redraft leagues right now.

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.