Who Should I Start? Xavier Smith or Jimmy Horn Jr.

Saturday, August 16, 11:52 PM

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Xavier Smith caught all four of his targets for 48 receiving yards during Saturday's preseason victory over the Los Angeles Chargers. He also rushed for five yards. Smith has been quite productive this summer. He paced the team with 55 receiving yards last week, and he now has a total of eight touches and 108 scrimmage yards through two preseason contests. NFL opportunities have been few and far between for the 27-year-old Florida A&M product, but he did total six receiving yards, 36 rushing yards, and a pair of first downs in 2024. Los Angeles' first four wide receiver spots are essentially locked up, which means they only have two or three spots to divide over seven remaining receivers (Smith, Tru Edwards, Mario Williams, Konata Mumpfield, Drake Stoops, Britain Covey, and Brennan Presley).

Tuesday, June 3, 3:26 PM

Carolina Panthers rookie wide receiver Jimmy Horn Jr. (hamstring) is not practicing during this week's OTAs as he works through a hamstring injury, according to team reporter David Newton. While catching passes from Shedeur Sanders over the last two seasons at Colorado, Horn hauled in 95 receptions for 1,008 yards and seven touchdowns in 23 games. He was a sixth-round selection in the 2025 NFL Draft, and it would be somewhat of a surprise if he's on the fantasy football radar in Year 1. Assuming he can get healthy and make the 53-man roster, he figures to begin his career behind Tetairoa McMillan, Xavier Legette, Adam Thilen, David Moore, Jalen Coker, and potentially more wideouts on the depth chart.