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Kansas City Chiefs general manager Brett Veach is at it again, snatching up another premium draft pick that was released by the team that selected him.
“Source: Former [New England] Patriots WR Tyquan Thornton is signing with the Chiefs practice squad,” NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport reported on November 18. “A fresh start for the former second-round pick who was waived Saturday.”
Thornton just turned 24 years of age, and he was selected 50th overall (round two) in 2022 out of Baylor. For reference, that was exactly two picks before Pittsburgh Steelers star George Pickens, three picks before Indianapolis Colts deep threat Alec Pierce and four picks before the Chiefs took Skyy Moore.
The Patriots gave up on Thornton just before Week 11 after two and a half seasons and a regime change from Bill Belichick to new de facto general manager Eliott Wolf and head coaching successor Jerod Mayo.
Throughout his time in New England, Thornton appeared in 28 games, recording 39 catches for 385 yards and 2 touchdowns. His catch percentage was a low 51.3% over the three-year span, and he added 67 yards and a touchdown as a runner.
Entering the NFL, Thornton was scouted as a “vertical threat” with “long speed” and the “ability to create separation on the move.” He stands at 6-foot-2, and his game is somewhat reminiscent of recent Chiefs deep ball target Marquez Valdes-Scantling.
New Chiefs WR Tyquan Thornton Garnered Interest From ‘More Than a Dozen Teams’
After Rapoport announced the news, ESPN NFL insider Jeremy Fowler reported that Thornton had heavy interest on the open market after his release from the Patriots organization.
“Tyquan Thornton plans to sign with the Chiefs practice squad, source confirms,” Fowler relayed. “Had interest from more than a dozen teams, and the [New Orleans] Saints were in the mix. Chose [the] defending champs.”
This isn’t necessarily a huge shock, considering Thornton is a recent second rounder that was given a very short leash with his first NFL franchise.
It’s also not overly surprising that he chose KC. The Chiefs organization has become synonymous with excellence, and what wide receiver wouldn’t jump at the opportunity to reboot their career with Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes?
Assuming no team poaches Thornton in the coming weeks, he’ll likely remain on the practice squad as he learns Reid’s playbook and system. If it’s a fit, perhaps we’ll see Thornton as a practice squad elevation before the season is over.
KC Analysts React to WR Tyquan Thornton Signing With Chiefs
A few popular Kansas City analysts and reporters gave their immediate take on the Thornton signing, including KSHB 41 reporter and film analyst Nick Jacobs.
“Here are Tyquan Thornton’s catches from 2023 & 2024 & a deep ball vs the [Las Vegas] Raiders,” Jacobs relayed, including a video clip. “He reminds me a lot of Chris Conley in his size, long arms and hint more of speed.”
Jacobs also shared his 2022 scouting report on Thornton, which highlighted the wideout’s “top end speed” and breakaway ability after the catch.
“He really shines on verticals, slants and deep posts,” he said at the time. “Thornton can run a slant, stop, change directions and accelerate the opposite way to take it the distance.”
Jacobs liked Thornton’s ceiling under the right coaching staff, but did note that he could stand to bulk up a little and “tighten up” as a route runner.
Another KC film analyst, Ron Kopp Jr. of Arrowhead Pride, appeared to like the fit as well.
“It’s funny cause I almost jokingly tweeted when NE cut him that he was a future Chief,” Kopp reacted on X. “Might as well see what this speed can do. Thornton ran a 4.28s 40-yard dash with a 91st-percentile broad jump at 6’2” and 181 pounds during the 2022 Combine.”
Finally, A-to-Z Sports Kansas City reporter Charles Goldman wrote that “it’s easy to see what attracts Kansas City to Thornton,” citing his 40-yard dash numbers as Kopp did.
“That’s speed,” Goldman concluded, “something that you simply can’t teach and something that Andy Reid knows how to use in his offense all too well.”
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Chiefs Sign 24-Year-Old WR, Former Second-Round Talent: Report