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Is Dont'e Thornton Jr. starting for the Las Vegas Raiders in fantasy football? Should I Draft Thornton Jr. in 2025? Read the rookie fantasy football outlook and depth chart analysis.
Las Vegas Raiders rookie wide receiver Dont'e Thornton has been one of the most impressive receivers during the preseason and has seen his fantasy stock increase dramatically.
Despite being a four-round pick from April's draft, the wideout has quickly climbed the depth chart and is making a strong case to open the 2025 season in a starting role.
Given his recent surge in production, should fantasy managers draft Thornton? Is Thornton starting for the Raiders? Let's dive in!
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Is Dont'e Thornton Jr. Starting for the Las Vegas Raiders?
While the former 108th overall pick opened the training camp in a depth role, Thornton has begun to carve out a starting role. He began camp slotting behind the Raiders' second-round wide receiver pick, Jack Bech, and several other NFL veterans. However, during the preseason, Thornton was typically playing alongside starters such as Geno Smith.
In their final preseason contest, the Tennessee product caught two of his three targets from Smith for 26 yards and a score against the Arizona Cardinals. While Thornton was playing alongside the starters, Bech, who has a higher draft capital, was playing alongside the backups in this contest.
Given Thornton's playing time with the first team, fantasy managers should expect the wideout to open the season in the team's starting lineup in Week 1.
VFL Dont’e Thornton Jr has made the Las Vegas Raiders 53-man roster🔥#GBO🍊 | #RaiderNation pic.twitter.com/8RuD518cBp
— Tri-Star Network (@TriStar_Network) August 27, 2025
Dont'e Thornton Jr. Fantasy Football Outlook
In college, Thornton flashed immense big-play upside. After spending his first two college seasons in Oregon in a reserve role, Thornton transferred to Tennessee to finish his career. In his first season in Tennessee, Thornton appeared in only nine games and caught just 13 passes. However, in his final season, the 22-year-old carved out a larger role.
During the 2024 season, Thornton posted an SEC-leading 25.4 YPR and tallied a career-high 661 receiving yards.
While the Raiders may slowly ease Thornton into action at times, given his ability to make big plays and having already begun to flash this ability in the preseason, he is worth drafting in the final rounds of all 3-WR leagues.
Reminder:
There have been 3 players in NFL history to be 6’5” and run a 4.3 40:
Calvin Johnson
Randy Moss
Dont'e Thornton Jr... And Dont'e should start in year 1 🤯
pic.twitter.com/N7vXxQ4leN— Polymarket Football (@PolymarketBlitz) August 26, 2025
Should I Draft Dont'e Thornton Jr.?
Given his current role on the Raiders depth chart, Thornton is worth drafting in all 3-WR formats. The 22-year-old has already flashed a strong connection with Smith and could pay off at his ADP in the final rounds.
However, while he is worth a look in deeper 3-WR leagues, managers in more shallow formats should opt to leave Thornton on the waiver wire for the time being. Currently, the Raiders have a crowded offense, which could limit Thornton's weekly upside. In the NFL Draft, they selected the top running back, Ashton Jeanty, in the first round, which will likely encourage them to lean heavily on the run.
In addition, the Raiders have one of the league's top pass-catching tight ends, Brock Bowers, and veteran wideout Jakobi Meyers. While Meyers recently requested a trade, the team has noted that they have no interest in moving him. While a Meyers trade could present a massive opportunity for Thornton, for the time being, he will likely be the No. 3/No. 4 option in the offense.
While his big-play ability warrants a selection in deeper leagues, managers in 10-team formats should continue to closely monitor him before adding him to their bench.
Dont'e Thornton was never a full-time player at Tennessee
He has unbelievable physical ability:
6-foot-5
4.3 flatThe Raiders gave him a chance to be a full-timer with the starters this preseason. Here's how it went - watch every target: https://t.co/irxpOeVgAJ pic.twitter.com/BQfxeQnL6h
— Jacob Gibbs (@jagibbs_23) August 24, 2025
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