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Dont'e Thornton Jr. is a fantasy football sleeper and value in 2025 fantasy football rookie drafts. Read the fantasy football outlook for the new Raiders wide receiver.
DRAFT PICK: 4th Round (#108 Overall Pick)
TEAM: Las Vegas Raiders
ROOKIE DRAFT ANALYSIS: Dont’e Thornton Jr., a fourth-round pick by the Las Vegas Raiders in the 2025 NFL Draft, is a high-upside sleeper for dynasty rookie drafts, thanks to his rare physical tools and a landing spot ripe with opportunity. Standing at 6’5” with a 78.5-inch wingspan, Thornton led the FBS in 2024 with an eye-popping 25.4 yards per catch on 26 receptions for 661 yards and six touchdowns at Tennessee, per Sports Info Solutions, showcasing his elite deep-threat ability.
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His 4.30 40-yard dash (No. 2 in the 2025 WR class) and 23.7 mph top speed (No. 2) at the NFL Combine, coupled with an 89 athleticism test score (No. 6), highlight his game-breaking potential. Despite modest college production due to Tennessee’s run-heavy offense (75th in passing yards per game), Thornton’s 75% contested catch rate and 23% touchdown-to-catch ratio (No. 1 in class) demonstrate his ability to win in high-leverage situations.
Dont’e Thornton has otherworldly long speed and acceleration for a 6’5” WR.
He just straight up runs away from guys… the 4.30 40 isn’t surprising if you watched him this year. pic.twitter.com/UHZ1M53x5n
— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) March 1, 2025
In Las Vegas, he joins a Chip Kelly-led offense with Brock Bowers and Jakobi Meyers, where his speed could stretch defenses, freeing up underneath targets and creating big-play opportunities. His ADP as a late fourth-round pick (WR22) in dynasty drafts makes him a low-cost flier with WR2 potential.
Thornton’s sleeper appeal is amplified by his long-term outlook in a Raiders offense that may evolve beyond 2025. With Meyers’ contract expiring in 2026 and potentially being out after this season, Thornton could climb the depth chart as early as Year 2, especially if he flashes as a rookie. His 9.85 Relative Athletic Score (RAS), ranking 59th among 3,816 WRs since 1987, underscores his freakish athleticism, while his 18.7 mph speed at 10 yards (No. 1 in class) shows explosive burst off the line.
Though his 26 receptions in 2024 and limited route tree raise concerns about immediate volume, his 96.4 PFF receiving grade on deep targets suggests he’s a vertical threat who needs only a few touches to make an impact.
For dynasty managers, Thornton’s combination of elite metrics, a high-octane offensive scheme, and a murky WR depth chart beyond 2025 makes him a classic “stash-and-wait” prospect. Target him in the fourth round of rookie drafts to secure a potential difference-maker who could outpace his draft capital by 2026.
- Brandon Murchison
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