Who Should I Start? Trey McBride or Dont'e Thornton Jr.

Sunday, October 19, 9:53 PM

Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride has proven over the last two games that he doesn't need starting quarterback Kyler Murray (foot) to produce for his fantasy managers. In fact, he's been better in Weeks 6 and 7 while working with veteran backup Jacoby Brissett. In the 27-23 loss to the visiting Green Bay Packers on Sunday, McBride caught a season-high 10 passes on 13 targets for 74 yards and two touchdowns as Arizona's leading receiver. The 25-year-old tight end also went off while working with Brissett in last week's loss to the Indianapolis Colts, catching eight of 11 targets for 72 yards and a touchdown. So McBride now has 18 receptions for 146 yards and three touchdowns on 24 targets and three touchdowns with Murray sidelined the last two games. Fantasy managers might be bummed that Murray could be returning following Arizona's Week 8 bye, but McBride is without a doubt a set-and-forget TE1 in fantasy football.

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.