Tyquan Thornton Off Fantasy Radar Despite Bigger Role
New England Patriots wide receiver Tyquan Thornton did start on offense in Week 1, but his No. 3 receiver role in an offense with minimal passing volume keeps him off the fantasy radar for the time being. Quite simply, the Patriots will rely on their defense and rushing attack to win games, and their passing attack will merely be a secondary component. There aren't nearly enough targets to go around to support any major fantasy performances from the receivers, and that includes Thornton ahead of Week 2 versus Seattle. He can be left on waivers in all redraft leagues.
New England Patriots wide receiver Tyquan Thornton caught two of three targets for 27 yards during Sunday's Week 1 win over the Cincinnati Bengals. His 17-yard reception tied the Patriots' longest gain from scrimmage. Although it was a promising performance from the young receiver, he can't be trusted in fantasy football going forward. For starters, he remains behind Demario Douglas, K.J. Osborn, and possibly Ja'Lynn Polk in the pecking order. Furthermore, the Patriots aren't expected to throw enough this season to support meaningful fantasy production from a depth receiver like Thornton. He can be avoided in most fantasy leagues.
Tyquan Thornton Emerging, Part Of Patriots "Top Unit"
New England Patriots wide receiver Tyquan Thornton has been a part of the top unit of wide receivers with Demario Douglas and Ja'Lynn Polk during practices. It's quite a leap for Thornton as he's shown out with so much wide receiver competition via the NFL Draft and in free agency. While K.J. Osborn and Kendrick Bourne will be a part of the wide receiver rotation, the third-year receiver Thornton has made a big splash following a disappointing sophomore season where he brought in just 13 receptions for 91 yards. While Thornton is somebody we're not drafting in fantasy football leagues, if he continues to surprise, we should take notice of the former 2022 second-rounder.
New England Patriots wide receiver Tyquan Thornton has added some muscle to his frame as he heads into a pivotal third season. The former second-round pick has had difficulty staying healthy enough to complete a full season as he's appeared in 22 games across two seasons so far. His speed is what brought his name to the forefront, but after being one of the thinnest receivers for his size at 6'2, he's now reportedly up to 192 pounds. He'll try to fend off any further shoulder injuries while he competes to get out of the roster bubble and into the receiver depth chart.
New England Patriots wide receiver Tyquan Thornton, a second-round pick in 2022, is putting together a productive stretch of offseason practices during voluntary organized team activities. Thornton has impressed before during offseason workouts, although it has yet to translate to regular-season production. He was arguably the most active receiver on the field in the practice open to the media on Wednesday. The 23-year-old so far has been labeled a bust, and things won't get easier in 2024 with a new regime in town and after the Patriots took rookies Ja'Lynn Polk and Javon Baker in this year's draft. Thornton entered the offseason as a potential roster cut, but if he continues to show out during offseason practices, he should stick around as receiver depth in New England. Thornton has been limited with injuries in his first two seasons and has only 35 catches in 22 games.
New England Patriots wide receiver Tyquan Thornton has not gotten out to a great start since being selected in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft. Through his first 22 regular season games, he's racked up just 35 receptions for 338 yards and two touchdowns and rushed six times for 67 yards and a score. This offseason, the Baylor product is focused on adding muscle in hopes of turning his career around and staying healthy. "I'm putting in work. I feel like I've put on a lot of muscle in a lot of areas that need it. I'm just continuing to get bigger," Thornton said. "It's just so I can take more impacts. I feel like all my injuries came from the ground -; me hitting the ground. So, it's so I can be able to bounce back up when I do hit the ground." The 23-year-old weighed in at just 181 pounds at the 2022 NFL Combine and has missed 12 games in just two seasons due to injury. Although this could be promising for his future outlook, he could be a cut or trade candidate this offseason after New England re-signed Kendrick Bourne, signed K.J. Osborn, and selected Ja'Lynn Polk and Javon Baker in the 2024 NFL Draft.
The Athletic's Chad Graff believes the New England Patriots will be content cutting both wide receivers JuJu Smith-Schuster and Tyquan Thornton this year after they added rookies Ja'Lynn Polk and Javon Baker with two of their first five draft picks this year. The team would have to eat more than $9 million in dead money if they decide to cut Smith-Schuster. Thornton is the only true speedster in the receiver room, but the former second-rounder in 2022 out of Baylor has been a disappointment in his first two NFL seasons. In 22 total games (12 starts), the 23-year-old has just 35 receptions on 68 targets for 338 yards and two touchdowns. Right now, Kendrick Bourne, Polk, Demario Douglas, Baker, K.J. Osborn and Jalen Reagor figure to be on the final roster at the position.
New England Patriots wide receiver Tyquan Thornton (ankle) has officially been ruled out for the Week 18 regular season finale on Sunday against the New York Jets, while receivers DeVante Parker (ribs) and Matthew Slater (hamstring) will play. All three receivers were listed as questionable coming into this one. Thornton finishes his second season in the NFL with just 13 receptions for 91 yards and no touchdowns on 23 targets over nine games played. The 23-year-old second-rounder has been a bust so far, but New England's poor quarterback situation hasn't helped his development. Parker and rookie Demario Douglas should be New England's top targets to close out the year, but the matchup against a strong Jets secondary isn't the greatest for fantasy managers in single-year leagues and DFS contests.
New England Patriots wide receiver Tyquan Thornton (ankle) popped up on the team's injury report after being limited in Friday's practice due to an ankle injury. The 23-year-old is one of 12 Patriots tagged as questionable for their Week 18 game against the New York Jets. Thornton caught three passes for a season-high 24 yards in the wake of DeVante Parker's (ribs) early exit from Week 17 due to injury. Parker himself was a limited participant in practice all week and is also questionable for Sunday's contest. If he is held out of the season finale, Thornton may see a slight increase in work but will still have little, if any, fantasy value.
DeVante Parker, Tyquan Thornton Suiting Up Versus Chiefs
New England Patriots wide receivers DeVante Parker (knee) and Tyquan Thornton (hamstring) are active for Week 15 versus the Kansas City Chiefs. Both players had been listed as questionable but were trending in the right direction ahead of kickoff. Rookie Demario Douglas will operate as Bailey Zappe's top target and is the only Patriots receiver worth starting in fantasy football this week. However, Parker and Thornton are also expected to see increased opportunities with JuJu Smith-Schuster (ankle) officially inactive.
