Tyquan Thornton
Wide Receiver #11
Tyquan Thornton News
Tyquan Thornton's Bigger Role May Not Fix His Volume Problem
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyquan Thornton is in line for more snaps in 2026, but that alone does not solve the fantasy problem. He caught only 19 of 37 targets last season, although those receptions went for 438 yards and three touchdowns. Thornton did most of that damage early, posting 13 catches for 272 yards and all three scores through Week 5. He managed just six receptions for 166 yards over his final nine appearances. The big-play ability is real. Kansas City credited him with a team-high eight catches of at least 25 yards, and Thornton is still viewed as part of the starting group in three-receiver sets. The volume remains the problem. Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy sit ahead of him for targets when healthy, while Travis Kelce is still a major part of the passing game. RotoBaller ranks Thornton WR113 in its latest published PPR wide receiver rankings. That makes him a reasonable deep-league flier and a better fit for best ball, where one long touchdown can matter more. In ordinary redraft leagues, Thornton needs more targets before he becomes a player fantasy managers can trust.
Aug 8, 2026 9:55 AM EST
Tyquan Thornton Considered a Starter in Three-Wide Sets
Joshua Brisco of Sports Illustrated writes that it's clear that Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyquan Thornton is a starter in three-wide sets this year alongside Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy. Thornton played in the first 14 games last season in his first year with the Chiefs before suffering a season-ending concussion. The 25-year-old former second-rounder by the New England Patriots in 2022 from Baylor caught 19 of his 37 targets for a career-high 438 yards and three touchdowns in his 14 games (four starts) last year. Thornton played 33% of the team's offensive snaps when he was healthy, and Brisco writes that the Chiefs are likely to put Thornton "on the field much more consistently" in 2026. Barring injury, Thornton definitely has a clearer path to more snaps with both JuJu Smith-Schuster and Hollywood Brown no longer in town. But as long as Rice and Worthy are healthy and not suspended, Thornton could still struggle for weekly fantasy value in a Chiefs offense that has been lackluster in recent seasons. RotoBaller currently has him ranked as the No. 114 fantasy WR, so he'll be ignored in all 12-team fantasy drafts.
Jul 23, 2026 9:50 AM EST
Tyquan Thornton an Attractive Later-Round Pick in Best Ball Drafts
After three disappointing years in New England, Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyquan Thornton enjoyed the most productive season of his young career in 2025, serving as the primary vertical threat in a Chiefs offense that has stagnated in recent years. Since the departure of Tyreek Hill in 2022, two-time MVP quarterback Patrick Mahomes II had seen his air yards per attempt on a steady decline, and while that number sat at only 7.0 in 2025, it still represented a slight uptick over his previous two seasons. While he caught only 19 passes in his first season with the Chiefs, Thornton was easily the most explosive piece of an offense whose most reliable playmakers tended to operate underneath, averaging more than 23 yards per reception and adding three touchdowns to his 438 yards. The team's most impactful receiver, Rashee Rice, is expected to be cleared of the legal situation for which he already served a six-game suspension, while 2024 first-round pick Xavier Worthy should be healthier after a frustrating, injury-marred sophomore campaign, but neither possesses Thornton's ability to consistently stretch the field. While his production may come in more unpredictable spurts, Thornton should benefit from further developed chemistry with Mahomes, and he is a worthwhile selection in the later rounds of 2026 best ball drafts.
Jul 17, 2026 5:27 AM EST
More Snaps, Opportunities Coming for Tyquan Thornton?
The Kansas City Chiefs re-signed wide receiver Tyquan Thornton to a two-year, $11 million deal on Monday night, and ESPN's Nate Taylor thinks the Chiefs "should be able to offer him more snaps and more opportunities." The 25-year-old was one of KC's best receivers in 2025, especially early on when both Xavier Worthy (shoulder) and Rashee Rice (suspension) were out. Thornton had a career-high 438 receiving yards and three touchdowns on 19 catches in his first year working with quarterback Patrick Mahomes. "He's the GOAT in my eyes, man," Thornton said of Mahomes. "He's a competitor, and he makes me so much better. It was an honor to go out there and catch those passes from him." As things currently stand, Thornton looks like the WR3 behind Rice and Worthy. His big-play potential is intriguing, though, as a late-round flier in what should be an improved Chiefs offense.
Mar 10, 2026 1:40 PM EST
Chiefs to Bring Back Tyquan Thornton
The Kansas City Chiefs are re-signing wide receiver Tyquan Thornton to a two-year, $11 million deal that includes a maximum value of $14 million, according to Mike Garafolo of NFL.com. Thornton is a former second-round pick of the New England Patriots, but he joined the Chiefs prior to the 2025 season. Throughout the year, he caught 19 of his 37 targets for 438 yards and three touchdowns. These aren't otherworldly numbers, but he was consistent enough to both establish himself within the Chiefs' depth chart and also earn a new deal to come back for 2026 and beyond. Fantasy managers should temper expectations on Thornton, though, at least for the time being. He peaked at WR81 in PPR leagues (last year) and will have a tough time cracking the top 75 in both dynasty startup and redraft leagues during 2026.
Mar 9, 2026 7:36 PM EST
Chiefs Put Tyquan Thornton on Injured Reserve
The Kansas City Chiefs placed wide receiver Tyquan Thornton (concussion) on Injured Reserve on Wednesday, according to Ari Meirov of The 33rd Team. Both Thornton and fellow wideout Rashee Rice (concussion) will miss the final two games of the regular season due to head injuries. The 25-year-old Thornton had some fantasy relevance earlier this season with Xavier Worthy injured and Rice out due to a suspension, but once both pass-catchers returned, he fell down the depth chart as a hard-to-trust deep threat in KC's offense. The former second-rounder will finish his first year in Kansas City with 19 catches on 37 targets for a career-high 438 yards and three touchdowns in 14 games (four starts). Worthy and Marquise Brown will have more opportunities to close out the year, but expectations must be tempered for fantasy managers with third-string quarterback Chris Oladokun set to run KC's offense.
Dec 24, 2025 3:39 PM EST
Tyquan Thornton Does Not Practice Tuesday
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyquan Thornton (concussion) was not present for the media access portion of Tuesday's practice as he continues to recover from the concussion that kept him out of the team's Week 16 loss to the Titans. The Chiefs face a shortened week as they prepare for a Christmas night divisional matchup with the Broncos, making Thornton likely to miss a second consecutive game if he can not return to practice on Wednesday. Already down two quarterbacks, with fourth-year pro Chris Oladokun prepared to make his first career start against a dominant Denver defense, all Kansas City offensive pieces can be ignored for fantasy championship weekend.
Dec 23, 2025 2:59 PM EST
Tyquan Thornton Estimated as Non-Participant as Week 17 Prep Begins
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyquan Thornton (concussion) was listed as a non-participant on Monday's practice report. The Chiefs did not practice on Monday, so this designation is based on an estimation from the team. Thornton missed Sunday's loss to the Tennessee Titans, and it now appears that he's at risk of missing a second consecutive game, albeit on a short week. Kansas City faces the Denver Broncos on Thursday, giving Thornton just a few days to clear the NFL's five-stage concussion protocol. The 25-year-old hasn't been a major contributor this year, catching just 19 passes for 438 yards and three touchdowns. However, with Rashee Rice (concussion) also sidelined, Kansas City's receiving corps needs all the help it can get. Managers invested in Thornton's availability should stay tuned for additional updates when the Chiefs publish their subsequent injury reports on Tuesday and Wednesday. Chris Oladokun will quarterback Kansas City in Week 17, lowering the floors of all Chiefs pass-catchers in fantasy football.
Dec 22, 2025 7:43 PM EST
Tyquan Thornton Remains in Concussion Protocol
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyquan Thornton (concussion) is absent from Thursday's practice for the second straight day as he remains in the league's concussion protocol, according to senior team reporter Matt McCullen. Thornton exited the Week 15 loss to the Chargers after a 21-yard catch in the fourth quarter. The 25-year-old appears unlikely to suit up for Sunday's game against the Tennessee Titans unless he can clear the league's concussion protocol. The former New England Patriots wideout wouldn't have much fantasy appeal regardless, with quarterback Patrick Mahomes (knee) out for the remainder of the season after tearing his ACL. Top wideout Rashee Rice (concussion) is also in concussion protocol with Thornton. Xavier Worthy, Marquise Brown, and JuJu Smith-Schuster could be in line for more opportunities in Week 16 if Thornton and Rice are ruled out.
Dec 18, 2025 2:43 PM EST
Tyquan Thornton Not Practicing on Wednesday
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyquan Thornton (concussion) will not practice on Wednesday, according to head coach Andy Reid. Fellow wideout Rashee Rice is also dealing with a concussion and will not practice on Wednesday. The Chiefs have been eliminated from playoff contention and lost star quarterback Patrick Mahomes (knee) to a torn ACL in Sunday's loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, so they won't be pushing Thornton or Rice to play in Week 16 against the Tennessee Titans this Sunday. The 25-year-old Thornton has 19 catches on 36 targets for 438 yards and three touchdowns this year, but he's mostly been quiet in KC's offense since Rice returned from his suspension. He hasn't scored a touchdown since Sept. 28 and has five zero-catch games this year. If Thornton and Rice are unable to play this weekend, Xavier Worthy, Marquise Brown, and JuJu Smith-Schuster would all be forced into bigger roles.
Dec 17, 2025 1:27 PM EST
Tyquan Thornton Exits Sunday's Loss in Concussion Protocol
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyquan Thornton (concussion) exited Sunday's loss to the Chargers in the concussion protocol. The wideout sustained this injury in the final frame after catching a 21-yard strike from Patrick Mahomes. Thornton finished the game with two catches on three targets for 47 yards. His yardage total trailed just Rashee Rice and Travis Kelce. With Marquise Brown unable to suit up due to personal reasons, Thornton saw a larger role. Managers should monitor his status leading up to their Week 16 matchup against the Titans. If he is unable to play, JuJu Smith-Schuster would likely see an increase in snaps but would not carry much fantasy value as their QB, Patrick Mahomes, exited this contest with a knee injury and is alos in danger of sitting out next week.
Dec 14, 2025 5:59 PM EST
Tyquan Thornton in line for More Opportunities in Week 15 with Hollywood out
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyquan Thornton hasn't played a significant role in the offense since the return of Rashee Rice in Week 7, playing 24.1% of the snaps and catching four of nine targets for 119 yards over that time. The speedy wideout should see an uptick in snaps in Week 15's divisional game against the Los Angeles Chargers with Marquise Brown (personal) ruled out. The former New England Patriot was dynamic in the first five games of the season, seeing regular playing time, averaging 20.9 yards per reception and scoring three touchdowns on 13 catches. Thornton faces a challenging matchup on Sunday as the Chargers have allowed the fewest PPR points per game against wide receivers this season. He profiles as a boom-or-bust flex option in deeper leagues.
Dec 13, 2025 1:34 PM EST
Tyquan Thornton Sliding Back Into Rotational Role For Kansas City
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyquan Thornton has seen his playing time dip over the past few weeks, playing just 23% of offensive snaps since Week 6. Thornton had been a pretty important piece of Kansas City's offense during the first month of the season, using his electric speed to help stretch the field and create explosive plays. The 25-year-old caught 13 of his 24 targets for 272 yards and three touchdowns while playing 60% of the team's snaps over the first five weeks. His 20.9 yards per reception was the highest in the league over that span out of receivers with at least 10 receptions. Rashee Rice's return and Xavier Worthy getting healthier played a part in Thornton's role diminishing, but he was a useful player and could see more snaps after the team's Week 10 bye.
Nov 8, 2025 9:53 AM EST
Tyquan Thornton No Longer a Flex Option
Following a four-week stretch that saw him put up nearly 60 yards per game and three scores, Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyquan Thornton has fallen off the fantasy radar. He's seen two of his lowest snap counts of the season over the past two weeks, while making only one catch. Rashee Rice, in his first game back from a six-game suspension, was targeted nine times on only 19 pass routes, signaling that he has stepped right back into being the focal point of the team's passing offense, and he'll only continue to see the field more as he plays himself back into shape. What's left of the team's pass work opportunities will be divvied up between Travis Kelce, Xavier Worthy, and emerging rookie Brashard Smith, leaving Thornton on the outside looking in. While his speed will always make him a big-play threat, his occasional spikes will be too rare and difficult to predict to give him any fantasy value moving forward.
Oct 24, 2025 3:02 PM EST
Tyquan Thornton Becoming an Afterthought in Chiefs Offense
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyquan Thornton was the team's primary explosive deep threat earlier this season when the Chiefs were without Xavier Worthy due to a shoulder injury and Rashee Rice due to a suspension. From Weeks 2 through 5, Thornton caught 11 of his 21 targets for 231 yards and three touchdowns. He played over 70% of the offensive snaps for the second straight week in Sunday night's win over the Detroit Lions, but Thornton was not targeted at all. While the 25-year-old has been a key piece of the offense this year, fantasy managers should expect his snap counts to drop considerably now that Rashee Rice is ready to make his 2025 debut in Week 7 against the division-rival Las Vegas Raiders. The Chiefs are expected to use Rice heavily right away, too, so with Worthy also back, Thornton is fading into a depth role in KC.
Oct 16, 2025 12:56 PM EST
Tyquan Thornton A Risky Option For Week 6
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyquan Thornton is coming off his highest yardage total of the season in Week 5 against Jacksonville, catching three of five targets for 90 yards. But Thornton's route participation has declined over the past couple of weeks. After being north of 70% the first three weeks, he slid down to 35% in Week 4 and 43.5% in Week 5. That number will likely only decrease in future weeks, with star wide receiver Rashee Rice set to return from suspension in Week 7. Thornton could take advantage of a positive matchup on Sunday night as the Lions have allowed the third most PPR points per game to wide receivers this season.
Oct 11, 2025 9:41 AM EST
More Opportunity For Tyquan Thornton?
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyquan Thornton could be in line for at least another week of additional opportunity in Week 6 after going for a season-high in yards in Monday night's loss to Jacksonville. The 25-year-old played 45% of the Chiefs' snaps and turned five targets into three catches for 90 yards, which could lead to some additional work as a downfield threat as K.C. aims to survive one more week without receiver Rashee Rice (suspension). The team still considers Rice to be its top target, but Thornton is part of the piecemeal effort to replace him, giving him some waiver appeal in an enticing matchup against Detroit in Week 6.
Oct 9, 2025 9:39 AM EST
Tyquan Thornton A Sell High Candidate?
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyquan Thornton continues to emerge as one of the pleasant surprises of the 2025 season. Through five games, the former Patriots wideout has caught 13 of 25 targets for 272 yards and three touchdowns, ranking as the WR22 in half-PPR formats. Even with the recent return of second-year receiver Xavier Worthy, Thornton's production has held strong, totaling 101 yards and a touchdown over his last two contests. However, fantasy managers should tread carefully. The Chiefs' target competition is about to heat up, with Rashee Rice expected to return in Week 7 and Worthy likely to see an expanded role as he regains full health. That looming target competition could significantly cut into Thornton's target share. Thornton has flashed legitimate big-play ability and chemistry with Patrick Mahomes, but his long-term fantasy value is uncertain. He's best viewed as a strong sell-high candidate while his value remains high.
Oct 8, 2025 10:27 AM EST
Tyquan Thornton Leads Chiefs With 90 Receiving Yards in Loss
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyquan Thornton caught three of five targets for 90 yards in Monday night's 31-28 loss at Jacksonville. Thornton has continued to carve out a role for the Chiefs as a big playmaker and led the team in receiving yards for the second game this season. The explosive plays have been lacking in Kansas City's offense over the past few seasons, but Thornton has provided at least one in almost every game so far. For the season, he's caught 13 of 25 targets for 272 yards and three touchdowns. His three touchdowns are the most of any player on the team. Thornton should continue to play a regular role until Rashee Rice returns from his suspension in Week 7.
Oct 7, 2025 12:52 AM EST
Tyquan Thornton Reaches Paydirt for Third Straight Week
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyquan Thornton scored a touchdown for the third straight game in Sunday's 37-20 Week 4 win over the visiting Baltimore Ravens as the Chiefs' offense looked the best it has all year against a beleaguered Ravens defense. However, with Xavier Worthy returning from a dislocated shoulder that he suffered in Week 1, Thornton's role declined, and he caught just one of his two targets on the day for an 11-yard touchdown in the second half. The 25-year-old will continue to be a factor in KC's offense moving forward, but there's no denying that Worthy's return puts a pretty big dent in Thornton's fantasy upside as the primary deep threat. Rashee Rice will return in Week 7, too, which will be another big blow to Thornton's fantasy appeal for the rest of the season. We might have already seen the best from him in 2025.
Sep 29, 2025 12:43 PM EST
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