Who Should I Start? Luke McCaffrey or Dont'e Thornton Jr.

Friday, October 3, 10:19 PM

Washington Commanders wide receiver Luke McCaffrey will have another opportunity for more playing time in Week 5. Washington continues to deal with multiple injuries at wide receiver, with Terry McLaurin (quadriceps) and Noah Brown (groin) both ruled out again for Sunday. McCaffrey has now scored touchdowns in back-to-back games without those two players, finding the end zone for the first time in his career on a 43-yard catch and run against the Raiders in Week 3. The second-year wideout, however, hasn't run a high number of routes in any game this season, despite injuries to the top of Washington's receiver room. He ran a season high of just 13 routes this past week against Atlanta. That signals that the coaching staff prefers not to use him on the outside, as journeyman receiver Chris Moore stepped into that role and ran close to a full number of routes against Atlanta. McCaffrey's role could expand this week against a stingy Chargers defense, but he's likely only playable in deeper leagues.

Saturday, October 4, 6:47 PM

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Dont'e Thornton Jr. has yet to establish a consistent role in the team's offense, and his opportunities continue to dwindle as the Raiders shift toward heavier two-tight-end formations. In Week 4 against the Bears, Thornton saw just two targets and failed to record a catch, marking another quiet outing for the rookie. With Jakobi Meyers and Tre Tucker entrenched as the primary receivers and fellow rookie Jack Bech beginning to see occasional involvement, Thornton has fallen further down the depth chart. Until his target share increases or his role expands, fantasy managers can safely move on from Thornton in all formats. He remains a developmental stash at best, with little short-term fantasy appeal.