Who Should I Start? Tyquan Thornton or Tommy Mellott

Wednesday, August 13, 7:18 PM

The Athletic's Jesse Newell thinks it might be too aggressive to list Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyquan Thornton as a lock for the 53-man roster, but he writes that it's clear that the Chiefs "love Thornton and envision a role for him this season." Thornton has taken off since joining the team's practice squad last year. KC coaches love the 25-year-old's speed, and he seems to fit the role that Justin Watson played for the Chiefs the last three years. He has the speed to get deep downfield to occupy defenders and can also be a solid contributor on special teams. Newell adds that Thornton should be involved in the team's kickoff return game, and he's also being trained as a gunner on the punt team. On offense, Thornton is most likely to be more of a gadget player, at best, and he's still too buried on KC's receiver depth chart to turn heads in fantasy.

Friday, May 23, 12:19 PM

The Athletic's Tashan Reed reports that Las Vegas Raiders rookie sixth-rounder Tommy Mellott got significant action at slot receiver during an OTA practice this week. The quarterback-turned-receiver made cornerback Darnay Holmes fall on an in-and-out route on one rep before catching a pass from quarterback Geno Smith and turning upfield. Receiver Tre Tucker made the most impressive play of the day on a deep route where he got open over the top of the safety for a diving catch. Tucker started most of last year, but his role could be in jeopardy in 2025 after the Raiders drafted Dont'e Thornton and Jack Bech. Mellott is fast and athletic at 6-foot, 208 pounds but will most likely serve in a depth role at wideout in his first year in the NFL while also contributing as a return option on special teams.