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.
New England Patriots wide receiver Tyquan Thornton (hamstring) is officially questionable to face the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 15. He practiced in a limited capacity on Friday. Even if the second-year wideout is able to suit up for this AFC battle, he remains off the fantasy radar given his current role in the offense, averaging just 1.3 catches and 8.5 receiving yards per game.
New England Patriots wide receiver Tyquan Thornton turned five targets into three receptions for 17 yards during Thursday's upset victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers. The second-year pass-catcher saw an increased role with Rhamondre Stevenson (ankle), Demario Douglas (concussion), and DeVante Parker (knee) sidelined. He was the Patriots' No. 2 wide receiver behind JuJu Smith-Schuster, who finished with four catches and 90 yards. Thornton is a solid contributor on offense but should be left on fantasy waivers in all redraft leagues going forward.
Tyquan Thornton Sees Additional Opportunities Versus Giants
New England Patriots wide receiver Tyquan Thornton caught two of five targets for 19 yards during Sunday's loss to the New York Giants. He also added a three-yard rush. The second-year receiver has appeared in four contests this year, but Sunday's game saw him set a season-high in targets, receptions, and yards. He could be in line for an even larger role next week versus the Chargers if rookie Demario Douglas (head) is forced to miss extended time.
New England Patriots wide receiver Tyquan Thornton (foot) is officially active for Week 9 versus the Washington Commanders. He had been listed as questionable. The second-year receiver could be in line for an expanded role after Mac Jones lost his top target, Kendrick Bourne (knee), to an ACL tear. Thornton isn't involved enough to justify rostering him in redraft leagues, but there's certainly a chance he could emerge as a key weapon for the Patriots this week.
