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
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
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
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
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
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
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyquan Thornton has scored a touchdown in back-to-back games heading into Week 4. He has been a nice surprise for fantasy managers early in the season, but could see decreased value going forward. The Chiefs are getting Xavier Worthy back for Sunday's game against the Baltimore Ravens. Worthy hasn't played since the season opener, but figures to surpass Thornton on the pecking order. Thornton only saw four targets in the season opener when Worthy actually played. That being said, fantasy managers should be prepared for Thornton to take a backseat in the receiving game. Given his recent success, Thornton could be a flex option for Sunday's game, but the 25-year-old is expected to lose usage.
Sep 28, 2025 8:51 AM EST
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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