FANTASY FOOTBALL NEWS

Raiders Get Deep Threat in WR Dont'e Thornton

By Shane Hallam | Updated on Sat, Apr 26 2025 4:29 PM UTC

The Raiders selected Tennessee WR Dont’e Thornton with the 108th pick of Round 4 in the 2025 NFL Draft. Thornton led the Volunteers in receiving yards and led all of FBS in yards per reception at 25.42. His 4.30 40-time at nearly 6’5 and 205 pounds is extremely impressive. Thornton was a four-star recruit who headed to Oregon based on his speed and athletic ability. He never quite developed in Eugene, but he found some success as a deep threat in Tennessee over the last two seasons. He had a 9.85 Relative Athletic Score (RAS) based on his predraft testing. He also ranked 48th among Combine WRs in 2024 Target Share at 9.1%, and 18th among those WRs in PFF Receiving Grade with an 80.6. He is currently 22 years old with a Breakout Age of 18.8. He ranked 25th among WRs in our Draft Sharks predraft Rookie Model scoring 6.00. Our Comp for him in our Rookie Guide is Marquez Valdes-Scantling. Thornton is likely a one-trick pony in the NFL, but he may develop into one of the best deep threats in the league.

2025 Fantasy Football Impact

Thornton had the highest yards per reception in all of college football.

His deep threat ability may help the Raiders, but is unlikely to make a fantasy impact.

Dynasty Impact

Thornton is a one trick pony. Despite an open WR situation, he is unlikely to be a long term fantasy player.

May be a very late round dart in a deep rookie draft.

Shane Hallam, Writer

Shane has over 20 years of experience creating content and playing every fantasy football format, including redraft, dynasty, devy, C2C, IDP, CFF, and more. He is a multi-year winner of $500 dynasty leagues on the FFPC and a King's Classic Champion. Shane utilizes deep film and scheme study to enhance his fantasy performance. He led the industry in 2024 preseason Kicker Rankings and ranked second in preseason QB Rankings. He also ranked eighth in preseason IDP rankings.