Who Should I Start? Tyquan Thornton or De'Zhaun Stribling


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
5.1 0.0 0.0 1.6 24.5 0.2

Tyquan Thornton News

Tyquan Thornton Considered a Starter in Three-Wide Sets

Thursday, July 23, 9:50 AM

Joshua Brisco of Sports Illustrated writes that it's clear that Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyquan Thornton is a starter in three-wide sets this year alongside Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy. Thornton played in the first 14 games last season in his first year with the Chiefs before suffering a season-ending concussion. The 25-year-old former second-rounder by the New England Patriots in 2022 from Baylor caught 19 of his 37 targets for a career-high 438 yards and three touchdowns in his 14 games (four starts) last year. Thornton played 33% of the team's offensive snaps when he was healthy, and Brisco writes that the Chiefs are likely to put Thornton "on the field much more consistently" in 2026. Barring injury, Thornton definitely has a clearer path to more snaps with both JuJu Smith-Schuster and Hollywood Brown no longer in town. But as long as Rice and Worthy are healthy and not suspended, Thornton could still struggle for weekly fantasy value in a Chiefs offense that has been lackluster in recent seasons. RotoBaller currently has him ranked as the No. 114 fantasy WR, so he'll be ignored in all 12-team fantasy drafts.


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
5.2 0.1 0.0 1.8 24.4 0.1

De'Zhaun Stribling News

De'Zhaun Stribling Could be a Starter for Niners in Rookie Season

Wednesday, July 29, 9:57 AM

San Francisco 49ers rookie second-round wide receiver De'Zhaun Stribling is looking at an increased opportunity early on with former first-rounder Ricky Pearsall (knee) currently out in training camp due to knee swelling, according to Vic Tafur of The Athletic. Stribling, who many considered a reach for San Fran with the first pick of the second round in April, had back-to-back 800-yard receiving seasons with six touchdowns apiece in his final two collegiate seasons with Oklahoma State and Ole Miss. The 23-year-old doesn't jump off the page with his physical skills, but he has displayed high-end leadership and work ethic, and if Pearsall isn't ready for the start of the 2026 regular season, Stribling figures to start in three-wide sets alongside veterans Mike Evans and Christian Kirk. Stribling's speed sets him apart from the other wideouts in San Fran, and Pearsall's continued injury issues are quickly making him a late-round sleeper in upcoming fantasy drafts. RotoBaller currently has Stribling ranked as the No. 78 fantasy WR, but his ADP will continue to rise for however long Pearsall is sidelined.


Tyquan Thornton vs. De'Zhaun Stribling

Still trying to decide between Thornton and Stribling? Check on the latest news to make sure both players are active and healthy. Our PPR projections show that Tyquan Thornton is projected to score 5.1 points this week while De'Zhaun Stribling is projected to score 5.2 points.