We could have a late-round rookie hidden gem on our hands in Las Vegas, as Dont’e Thornton Jr. may become a starter for the Raiders early on. The fourth round receiver from Tennessee is a height, weight, speed deep threat, as he will also battle rookie Jack Bech from TCU, who will likely stick in the slot.
Bech, the 22-year-old and second-rounder, is currently behind Thornton already in the depth chart and will have to prove a starting role in training camp a month away. Although both have differing skill sets, Thornton could be the next potential “DK Metcalf” type for Pete Carroll and Geno Smith to utilize.
Dont’e Thornton Jr. College Stats and Fantasy Production
According to Derek Brown of Fantasy Pros, the receiver had a 2.8 yards per route run (in Tennessee and Oregon for four seasons) and 3.72 YPRR in his final season as a Vol. Thornton only had a career-high 661 yards in his second season as a Volunteer, but had six touchdowns on 26 receptions in 2024.
At 6’5″ and 205 pounds, he will have to add some bulk to truly fit that “Metcalf” comparison despite his blazing 4.3 at the NFL Scouting Combine. The former 108th overall pick will also have to stay healthy, as injuries have plagued his collegiate seasons at two programs.
Dont’e Thornton Jr. 2025 Fantasy Outlook
At the very least, if this summer hype reflects a strong training camp and preseason, even as a role player, Thornton could be something in standard, but not really in half or full PPR. In the redraft for standard leagues, he is currently the 119th overall wide receiver and not drafted as more of a potential dynasty option.
If anything else, if Thornton is the starter, he will help stretch the field for the Raiders and open things up potentially for Jakobi Meyers and Tre Tucker, who ironically share a similar skillset to Dont’e despite the size discrepancy. Meyers has the slot receiver profile, and while he will be the second target earner to Brock Bowers, it will be interesting to see how much the Raiders do throw.
Now with the addition of rookie Ashton Jeanty, Carroll will likely go bully ball and throw off play-action with Geno, making deep targets like Thornton or Tucker potentially appealing in standard fantasy leagues or at least be pick-ups on waivers throughout the 2025 season.
