Who Should I Start? Ryan Flournoy or Dont'e Thornton Jr.

Wednesday, December 24, 3:07 PM

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Ryan Flournoy (knee) is questionable for the team's Week 17 Christmas Day matchup with the Commanders after missing the last two practices of the week. Flournoy was limited with a knee issue to begin the shortened week before logging DNPs on Tuesday and Wednesday. The second-year wideout has seen increased usage over the past few weeks, including a career best nine catches for 115 yards and a touchdown in a Week 14 loss to the Lions. Against a Commanders defense that has struggled to defend the pass all year, Flournoy could have made for a sneaky flex play in Championship weekend, but with a knee issue now threatening his availability, fantasy managers thankfully have plenty of time to pivot away from the potential Thursday start.

Wednesday, December 31, 12:25 AM

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Dont'e Thornton Jr. has had a quiet rookie season, recording 10 catches (29 targets) for 135 yards and zero touchdowns in 14 games. Thornton earned steady playing time out of the gate -- 61.8% of the snaps over the first five weeks -- and drew at least two targets in each game. Known for his speed and big-play ability as a prospect, he showcased his explosiveness for the Raiders in the first three games of his career, hauling in five of his 12 targets for 94 yards. The Tennessee product posted a 25% explosive-catch rate, tied for the highest in the league among receivers with at least 12 targets during that span. The rookie fourth-rounder's snaps eventually faded, beginning in Week 11, where he played on only 38.3% of snaps and gradually declined every week until bottoming out to 7.4% in Week 16. However, in Week 17, with the Raiders competing for the No. 1 overall pick, Thornton's snaps spiked to 78%. He recorded just two catches (four targets) for 12 yards, but he had his most receptions and targets in a game since Week 3. Looking to 2026, Thornton profiles as a big-play threat who is unlikely to be a consistent producer week to week.