Rookie Scouting Profile: WR Tyquan Thornton

Tyquan Thornton (WR) Baylor

Height	Weight	40-Time	DOB	NFL Draft	Dynasty ADP	NFL Comp
6-2	181	4.28	08/07/2000	Day 2	Mid-to-late 3rd	Robby Anderson

College Production

Thornton, a native of Miami’s Booker T. Washington High, originally committed to the University of Florida before changing his commitment to Baylor. Led the Bears in yards per grab in 2018 true freshman season. As a sophomore snagged 45-of-74 targets for 782 yards and five scores. Was named to All Big-12 Second-Team following his senior campaign where he set career-best totals in grabs (62), yards (948), and touchdown receptions (10).

Strengths

• BLAZING speed. 4.28 40 was the third-fastest of the entire 2022 NFL Scouting Combine.

• Track background shows on tape. Excels at creating separation out of breaks in both the short and intermediate parts of the field.

• Very good catch radius of 10.24.

• Speed (110.6) and burst (131) scores were in the top-10 percent of the class.

• Excellent hands and profiles to be a dangerous downfield and plus contested-catch option.

Weaknesses

• Very thin frame could lead to getting overpowered off routes from stronger DBs.

• 8 1/4″ hands are the smallest of all wideouts invited to the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine.

• Worrisome agility score of 11.64 was only in the 11th-percentile.

• Footwork can be a bit sloppy going into breaks.

• Extremely limited route tree at Baylor adds to questions about ability to create space on short and intermediate routes.

Fantasy Outlook

Thornton has tantalizing upside as a potent game-breaking deep threat with his 4.28 speed but also has some developmental mental challenges that could limit his role in Year One. He might benefit from landing with a deep roster that can afford to work with Thornton on route-running and other nuances that are missing from his game. There’s enough upside to warrant rookie-only attention near the top of Round Three.

Post-Draft Recap

The Patriots traded up to select Thornton with the 50th overall pick, making him the 10th wideout off the board. This was a bit of a surprise and a less-than-ideal landing spot. Bill Belichick has a troubling history of failing to develop early-round wide receivers and New England’s run-first offense won’t lead to a lot of opportunities. On the bright side, Thornton should have that time to learn the pro game as he’ll be buried on the depth chart. His rookie-only ADP should stay in Round Three but he can safely be ignored in redraft leagues.