Tyquan Thornton

Kansas City Chiefs
Wide Receiver #11
Kansas City Chiefs
Wide Receiver #11

Tyquan Thornton News RotoBaller

Tyquan Thornton to Remain a Featured Piece in the Chiefs' Offense?

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyquan Thornton had a breakout game in Week 3 against the New York Giants, recording five catches for 71 yards and a touchdown on nine targets. With Xavier Worthy (shoulder) and Rashee Rice (suspension) sidelined in the early part of the season, Thornton has established himself as a downfield option for Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Worthy has been able to log full practices so far this week, and the team is optimistic that he will return to the field in Week 4 against the Baltimore Ravens. That dims the outlook for Thornton, but the 25-year-old could still play a role in a Chiefs' offense that has been desperate for playmakers so far in 2025. Thornton profiles as a desperation flex play in deep leagues in Week 4, but he should be stashed on fantasy benches until Worthy proves he is fully healthy.

Sep 26, 2025 10:21 AM EST


Tyquan Thornton Leads Chiefs in Receiving in Week 3, Emerging as a Key Piece in Kansas City?

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyquan Thornton led the team in targets, catches, and receiving yards in Kansas City's 22-9 win over the New York Giants in Week 3. Thornton was targeted nine times and finished with five catches for 71 yards and a touchdown. The 25-year-old has now recorded nine catches for 171 yards and two scores through the first three games of 2025. With Xavier Worthy (shoulder) and Rashee Rice (suspension) on the sidelines, Thornton has emerged as the Chiefs' WR1 over the past two weeks. Worthy is likely to return in Week 4, which could eat into Thornton's workload. Still, Thornton may have passed veteran wideout Marquise Brown on the depth chart and is still worth adding in deep fantasy leagues heading into a Week 4 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens.

Sep 22, 2025 10:09 AM EST



Tyquan Thornton Maximizes Minimal Opportunities

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyquan Thornton scored his first touchdown since Week 17 of 2022 in Sunday's 20-17 loss to the visiting Philadelphia Eagles. The Baylor alum connected with quarterback Patrick Mahomes on just 2-of-5 targets in Week 2, but he made them count -- syncing up on a 49-yard score where the wideout went streaking down the middle of the field. Despite the inefficiency when doing so, Kansas City is using the 25-year-old as their deep threat. He's the perfect specimen for that role with blazing 4.28 40-yard dash speed, and the Chiefs are utilizing three-wide receiver sets frequently. It seems that Xavier Worthy (shoulder) will return sooner than anticipated, so Thornton's elevated snap share might not be for long. Still, he matched Marquise Brown's total of 45 from over the weekend and ran in front of JuJu Smith-Schuster for the first time.

Sep 15, 2025 12:20 PM EST


Tyquan Thornton in the Flex Conversation, Still a Risky Option versus Philly

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyquan Thornton had two catches for 41 yards in the Week 1 loss to the Chargers. With Xavier Worthy (shoulder), who was injured early in the opener, doubtful for the Week 2 Super Bowl rematch with the Eagles, there is room for others to benefit. Marquise Brown, who had 10 catches (16 targets) for 99 yards against Los Angeles, has the best chance of remaining the No. 1 wideout. Travis Kelce should also continue to get attention from Patrick Mahomes. With that in mind, Mahomes can spread the ball around, so it's hard to predict if Thornton will stay involved enough to justify a spot as a fantasy starter. Although the 25-year-old should have a role in Week 2, fantasy managers will be rolling the dice if utilizing his services for streaming purposes against Philly.

Sep 13, 2025 12:20 AM EST


Belichick Advocated For Tyquan Thornton in Kansas City

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyquan Thornton found his way to Kansas City thanks to a surprising advocate, former Patriots head coach Bill Belichick. Belichick personally recommended Thornton to Andy Reid, telling him, "He's really got great potential." After three underwhelming seasons in New England, Thornton was released following the 2024 season. The Chiefs took a chance on him, and he immediately made an impact in Week 1, catching two passes for 41 yards against the Los Angeles Chargers. More importantly, Thornton played 72% of the offensive snaps, which is a clear sign that Kansas City wants him involved. With Xavier Worthy and Rashee Rice both sidelined, Thornton could see an expanded role in this week's Super Bowl rematch against the Philadelphia Eagles. While it's tough to trust him in starting fantasy lineups just yet, Thornton is firmly on the waiver-wire watchlist. If his usage grows in Week 2, he could emerge as a valuable piece in a depleted Chiefs receiver room.

Sep 11, 2025 10:23 AM EST



Tyquan Thornton Sees Increased Role on Friday Night

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyquan Thornton was given a larger opportunity on Friday evening during their contest against the Chargers, following the injury to top wideout Xavier Worthy. Worthy suffered a shoulder injury in the opening quarter, which paved the way for Thornton to have a significant role in the season opener. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes looked his way four times, but he was only able to bring in two of them for 41 yards. His longest catch of the evening came on a 38-yard pass. While Mahomes looked his way downfield, Thornton was unable to connect consistently. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor Worthy's status, as Thornton could emerge as the team's primary deep threat if he were to miss an extended period of time. However, he will be tough to trust in most formats as he will likely slot in as the No. 3 WR in the offense, behind Marquise Brown and JuJu Smith-Schuster.

Sep 6, 2025 9:09 AM EST


Tyquan Thornton Makes Chiefs 53-Man Roster

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyquan Thornton, the New England Patriots' former second-round draft pick, has made the Chiefs' 53-man roster, multiple sources tell Jordan Schultz of FOX Sports. The Chiefs love speed on offense, and Thornton ran the 40-yard dash in 4.28 seconds. He spent last year on the practice squad but impressed during training camp and the preseason and now will have a role on offense with quarterback Patrick Mahomes. The 24-year-old might end up being more of a gadget player in KC's offense, but the Chiefs could certainly use some receiver depth with Marquise Brown (ankle) still nursing an injury and with Rashee Rice expected to be suspended anywhere from four to six games at some point this year. Thornton only played in six games last year with the Pats and had 39 catches for 385 yards and two touchdowns in 28 games (13 starts) in his three years with the team.

Aug 26, 2025 12:06 PM EST


Chiefs Envision a Role for Tyquan Thornton This Year

The Athletic's Jesse Newell thinks it might be too aggressive to list Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyquan Thornton as a lock for the 53-man roster, but he writes that it's clear that the Chiefs "love Thornton and envision a role for him this season." Thornton has taken off since joining the team's practice squad last year. KC coaches love the 25-year-old's speed, and he seems to fit the role that Justin Watson played for the Chiefs the last three years. He has the speed to get deep downfield to occupy defenders and can also be a solid contributor on special teams. Newell adds that Thornton should be involved in the team's kickoff return game, and he's also being trained as a gunner on the punt team. On offense, Thornton is most likely to be more of a gadget player, at best, and he's still too buried on KC's receiver depth chart to turn heads in fantasy.

Aug 13, 2025 7:18 PM EST


Tyquan Thornton Reps With First-Team Offense, Impressing Chiefs in Training Camp

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyquan Thornton played the first three snaps of the team's first preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals. His usage "should make it clear how much the Chiefs have liked him in camp," according to Jesse Newell of The Athletic. With Marquise Brown (ankle) battling an ankle injury and Rashee Rice (groin) both fighting a groin issue and looking at a likely suspension to open the season, Thornton could have a chance to earn targets in Kansas City. A second-round pick by the New England Patriots in 2022, Thornton has yet to find his footing in the NFL. In 28 games (13 starts) with New England, he logged just 39 receptions for 385 yards and two touchdowns. However, it appears Thornton will be granted a second chance in Kansas City. He could be a name to monitor early in the season, given the team's uncertainty at wide receiver.

Aug 10, 2025 11:00 PM EST


Andy Reid Impressed by Tyquan Thornton

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyquan Thornton has made a good impression with his new team this offseason. "I like Tyquan. I like the way he approached things. He's got the quarterback's trust. That's an important thing. He's gotten some valuable reps here. So far, so good. I'd like to see him in a game situation," head coach Andy Reid said. Rashee Rice, Xavier Worthy, Marquise Brown, JuJu Smith-Schuster and rookie Jalen Royals are virtual locks to make the 53-man roster, but Thornton could have a leg up for another spot with training camp approaching. He'll be competing with the likes of Skyy Moore and Nikko Remigio. Thornton, a former second-rounder by the Patriots, has speed to spare and has developed strong chemistry with quarterback Patrick Mahomes. The fact that he's also been involved on special teams increases the chances of him winning the No. 6 receiver role this summer.

Jun 19, 2025 6:31 PM EST


Tyquan Thornton Joining Chiefs Practice Squad

Former New England Patriots wide receiver Tyquan Thornton has signed with the Kansas City Chiefs' practice squad on Monday, according to a source. The former second-rounder in 2022 out of Baylor will now get another opportunity with the defending Super Bowl champions after the Patriots waived him on Saturday. The 24-year-old caught 35 of his 68 targets for 338 yards and two touchdowns in 22 games (12 starts) in his first two years in New England before catching just four passes on eight targets for 47 yards in six games with the Patriots this year. Thornton certainly has some more intrigue in KC, but it remains to be seen if he can work his way into a big enough role down the stretch for the Chiefs. As things stand now, the Chiefs have a receiving corps that includes DeAndre Hopkins, JuJu Smith-Schuster, rookie Xavier Worthy, Mecole Hardman and Justin Watson.

Nov 18, 2024 4:33 PM EST


Patriots Release Tyquan Thornton

The New England Patriots have released wide receiver Tyquan Thornton (personal), according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Thornton had missed Thursday's practice with a personal matter, but he returned in a full capacity on Friday. The former 50th overall pick was underwhelming in two-and-a-half seasons with the Patriots, catching just 39 passes for 385 yards and two touchdowns over 28 games. This year alone, he had just four catches for 47 yards. A divorce between Thornton and the Patriots seemed inevitable after the team looked to trade him earlier this month. Nothing came to fruition, and Thornton ended up being a healthy scratch for each of the last two weeks. Despite his underwhelming stats in New England, the 24-year-old still has the allure of draft capital less than three years removed from being a second-round pick. He should generate some interest in free agency.

Nov 16, 2024 9:58 AM EST


Javon Baker, Tyquan Thornton Won't Play Against Jaguars

New England Patriots wide receiver Javon Baker (illness) and Tyquan Thornton (coach's decision) are inactive for Week 7 against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Baker has repeatedly been inactive, failing to log an offensive snap since Week 2. While he has typically been sidelined as a coach's decision, he's inactive this week with an illness. That's merely a technicality, of course, as Baker likely would have been a healthy scratch even if he wasn't ill. The rookie is still searching for his first NFL target and will have to wait at least one more week. Thornton, meanwhile, has been the subject of trade rumors lately but lacks significant fantasy appeal; he hasn't registered a reception since catching two passes back in the season opener. Both players can be dropped in all redraft and most dynasty leagues.

Oct 20, 2024 8:13 AM EST


Javon Baker, Tyquan Thornton Scratched For Week 6

New England Patriots wide receiver Javon Baker (coach's decision) and Tyquan Thornton (coach's decision) are inactive for Week 6 against the Houston Texans. Both players are healthy scratches. Baker has repeatedly been inactive, failing to log an offensive snap since Week 2. He's still searching for his first NFL target and will have to wait at least one more week. Thornton, meanwhile, has been the subject of trade rumors lately but lacks significant fantasy appeal; he hasn't registered a reception since catching two passes back in the season opener. Both players can be dropped in all redraft and most dynasty leagues.

Oct 13, 2024 12:04 PM EST


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.

Sep 14, 2024 9:26 AM EST


Tyquan Thornton Totals 27 Yards Sunday

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.

Sep 8, 2024 6:10 PM EST


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.

Aug 21, 2024 9:37 PM EST


Tyquan Thornton Adds Muscle Ahead Of Third Season

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.

Jul 29, 2024 9:10 AM EST


Tyquan Thornton Has Been Productive At OTAs

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.

May 31, 2024 2:22 PM EST


Tyquan Thornton Adding Weight This Offseason

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.

May 16, 2024 4:30 PM EST