Who Should I Start? Jordan Whittington or Dont'e Thornton Jr.


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
1.8 0.4 0.0 0.7 7.3 0.1

Jordan Whittington News

Jordan Whittington Has More Real-Life Value Than Fantasy Appeal

Friday, August 21, 11:10 AM

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Jordan Whittington has a role Sean McVay clearly values, but it still isn't much of a fantasy role. Whittington played all 17 games last season and started six, yet finished with only 18 catches for 171 yards on 25 targets and never found the end zone. He remains directly behind Puka Nacua on the Rams' unofficial depth chart and is also their top kick returner. McVay has called him steady and consistent, and Whittington was one of the receivers who stepped in when Nacua left the Aug. 11 joint practice. Nacua was still out Thursday with psoas soreness, so Whittington has gotten another look. The problem hasn't changed. Nacua and Davante Adams sit at the top of the passing game, and Los Angeles leaned heavily on three-tight-end personnel last season. RotoBaller has Whittington 347th overall and WR128 in its Aug. 19 PPR rankings. He's useful depth for the Rams, but standard redraft managers don't need to force him onto a roster.


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.


Jordan Whittington vs. Dont'e Thornton Jr.

Still trying to decide between Whittington and Thornton Jr.? Check on the latest news to make sure both players are active and healthy. Our PPR projections show that Jordan Whittington is projected to score 1.8 points this week while Dont'e Thornton Jr. is projected to score 2.1 points.