Who Should I Start? Tez Johnson or Dont'e Thornton Jr.

Monday, June 15, 6:01 AM

As the Tampa Bay Buccaneers dealt with wide receiver injuries throughout much of the year, 2025 rookie Tez Johnson had some noteworthy moments, namely a five-game mid-season stretch that saw him average nearly 50 receiving yards per game while scoring four touchdowns. Unfortunately, heading into year two, the undersized seventh-round pick could be hard-pressed to sustain fantasy viability in Tampa's new-look offense. Even without six-time Pro Bowler Mike Evans, the team still boasts plenty of depth, with both Chris Godwin Jr. and Jalen McMillan expected to be closer to full health a year after missing a combined 21 games. 2025 first-round pick Emeka Egbuka should develop further chemistry with Baker Mayfield in their second season together, and the team spent a third-round pick on receiver Ted Hurst after signing Kenneth Gainwell to pair another legitimate pass-catching running back with Bucky Irving. In a Zac Robinson offense that is expected to see far fewer sets with three receivers on the field, Johnson's path to playing time appears sufficiently blocked, and at RotoBaller's dynasty WR105, he is not a player who needs to be rostered in shallower leagues.