Who Should I Start? Kalif Raymond or Dont'e Thornton Jr.

Saturday, November 1, 12:04 AM

Through seven games so far in 2025, Detroit Lions wide receiver Kalif Raymond has hauled in nine catches for 64 yards on 12 targets. The 31-year-old recorded a season-high three catches in Detroit's final game before its Week 8 bye, but has yet to crack 20 receiving yards in a game this season. Raymond still profiles as the Lions' WR3 ahead of rookie wideout Isaac TeSlaa, as Raymond out-snapped TeSlaa 30 to nine in Week 7. However, that role has not led to consistent fantasy production, which appears unlikely to change in the second half of the season. Detroit has a tough matchup in Week 9 against the Minnesota Vikings. Through eight weeks, Minnesota has allowed the fourth-fewest passing yards (1,428) in the NFL. Raymond should remain off the radar of fantasy managers heading into Week 9.

Tuesday, October 21, 9:11 PM

Las Vegas Raiders rookie wide receiver Dont'e Thornton Jr. has largely been phased out of the team's offense in recent weeks. Thornton Jr. has recorded five catches for 94 yards on 19 targets across seven games this season. However, he has been held without a reception in each of his last four games played. For the time being, Thornton Jr. appears to be firmly behind Jakobi Meyers, Tre Tucker, and Jack Bech on the wide receiver depth chart in Las Vegas. That could change in the coming weeks, as Meyers has reportedly been seeking a trade away from the 2-5 Raiders. With Meyers (knee, toe) inactive in Week 7 due to injury, Thornton Jr. played a season-high 86% of the team's offensive snaps. Even if Meyers is traded, Thornton Jr. will be tough for fantasy managers to trust given his lack of production so far. Still, he's a name to monitor in deeper leagues if the Raiders deal Meyers at some point before the NFL trade deadline.