Who Should I Start? Jimmy Horn Jr. or Dont'e Thornton Jr.


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
1.0 1.8 0.0 0.4 3.6 0.0

Jimmy Horn Jr. News

Jimmy Horn Jr. Comfortably Outside the Fantasy Discussion for 2026

Monday, June 22, 5:49 AM

A sixth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Carolina Panthers wide receiver Jimmy Horn Jr. caught only 11 passes for 108 yards as a rookie, and could now be fighting for his roster spot heading into year two. At 5'8" and 170 pounds, Horn's role in his first season was largely limited to clear-out routes and a handful of catch-and-run gadget plays, but with the team drafting Chris Brazzell II in the third round of the NFL Draft and adding John Metchie III through free agency, those responsibilities could go elsewhere in 2026. Tetairoa McMillan and Jalen Coker are locked into the top two spots on the depth chart, while 2024 first-round pick Xavier Leggette offers big-bodied depth behind them, and with Horn making limited special teams contributions as a rookie, he could be hard-pressed to earn a roster spot as a sixth receiver. Even if he does stick around with Carolina or latch on with another team after training camp, Horn is not a player who needs to be considered for fantasy at RotoBaller's dynasty WR144.


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
2.1 0.0 0.0 0.8 9.9 0.1

Dont'e Thornton Jr. News

Dont'e Thornton Jr. Still "Banged Up," Expected to Return in Preseason

Sunday, August 16, 11:58 AM

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Dont'e Thornton Jr. (undisclosed) was working off to the side without pads during Sunday's training camp practice, according to Sam Warren of The Athletic. Thornton missed the team's preseason opener on Thursday against the Arizona Cardinals and several practices before that with an undisclosed injury. Head coach Klint Kubiak said Thornton has been "banged up" but expects him to return in the preseason. The 23-year-old second-year wideout has missed valuable reps as rookie Malik Benson currently looks like the favorite for WR3 duties behind starters Tre Tucker and Jalen Nailor. After being taken with the 108th overall pick in the fourth round in 2025 from the University of Tennessee, Thornton caught only 10 of his 30 targets for 135 yards and zero touchdowns in 15 games (eight starts) in his first year in the NFL. When he returns to practice, he'll be competing with Benson and fellow second-year pass-catcher Jack Bech for playing time in 2026. Thornton's combination of size (6-foot-5, 205 pounds) and speed makes him an interesting offensive weapon in what should be a better Raiders offense, but he's not currently on the redraft radar in 12-team leagues.


Jimmy Horn Jr. vs. Dont'e Thornton Jr.

Still trying to decide between Horn Jr. and Thornton Jr.? Check on the latest news to make sure both players are active and healthy. Our PPR projections show that Jimmy Horn Jr. is projected to score 1.0 points this week while Dont'e Thornton Jr. is projected to score 2.1 points.