Who Should I Start? Michael Wilson or Dont'e Thornton Jr.

Thursday, August 7, 6:24 PM

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Michael Wilson (concussion) was out of his non-contact jersey during Thursday's training camp practice, according to Tyler Drake of Arizona Sports. Wilson didn't take any contact in practice, but it's a good sign that he's on his way to being removed from the injury report, and he could play in the preseason opener this Saturday against the Kansas City Chiefs. Nothing from Wilson's first two seasons in the NFL suggests that he's ready for a breakout in 2025 in his third year, as he has totaled 85 receptions for 1,113 yards and seven touchdowns in 29 games (25 starts) in his first two years. The former third-rounder in 2023 out of Stanford will be a distant No. 3 target for quarterback Kyler Murray behind Marvin Harrison Jr. and tight end Trey McBride. If either of the two miss time with an injury, though, Wilson will be a popular waiver-wire pickup.

Tuesday, September 2, 7:18 PM

Las Vegas Raiders rookie wide receiver Dont'e Thornton Jr. is listed as a starter on the team's unofficial depth chart heading into a Week 1 matchup against the New England Patriots this Sunday. Meanwhile, Amari Cooper is listed on the second string after signing with the team late in training camp. Cooper could eventually become a bigger part of Vegas' offense, but going into the season opener, Thornton figures to have a big role in the passing attack. He should start in three-wide sets alongside Jakobi Meyers and Tre Tucker. The 22-year-old fourth-rounder has emerged ahead of fellow rookie Jack Bech after a strong training camp and preseason, but it remains to be seen exactly how much he'll be targeted by quarterback Geno Smith out of the gates. But Thornton's output alone this summer makes him deserving of a roster spot for receiver depth in deeper fantasy formats.