The New England Patriots receiving corps is starting to shape up now that Drake Maye will continue to be the starting quarterback for the rest of his rookie season. Receivers Kayshon Boutte and Pop Douglas highlight the second-year players who will continue to receive ample playing time and most of the targets at the position. While K.J. Osborn and Kendrick Bourne will assist in Maye’s development and provide veteran leadership to the young receiving corps, Ja’Lynn Polk and Javon Baker will continue to grow and develop in their rookie season.
Now that the wide receiver position has shaped up, unfortunately for their former second-round pick, he has fallen out of the rotation.
The New England Patriots second-round pick from the 2022 draft class is the odd man out
After having a solid training camp and preseason, the Patriots hoped Tyquan Thornton’s athleticism and blazing speed would translate in his third season. Thornton played a consistent role on the offense throughout the first three games, participating in roughly 45% of snaps, but wasn’t effective in the passing game. Ultimately, his role dipped in Weeks 4 and 5 because of the emergence of Kayshon Boutte, Kendrick Bourne returning from injury, and Ja’Lynn Polk outsnapping him, among others.
As a result, the Patriots listed him as a healthy scratch for Weeks 6, 7, and 9. The team made him available for the NFL Trade Deadline but to no avail. Once again, he was a healthy scratch in Week 10 as the writing was on the wall.
Also Read: Patriots WR Urged To Change Scenery — Here’s Why
The former second-rounder is no longer part of their plans
According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, the New England Patriots have waived Tyquan Thornton. Since Thornton remains on his rookie contract, he is subject to the waiver wire, and teams have 24 hours to claim him before he becomes a free agent. Given his age, athleticism, and speed, teams could be interested in him in hopes of developing and reaching his full potential.
Patriots are releasing 2022 second-round pick Tyquan Thornton, per source. pic.twitter.com/7ofxNS4Kij
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 16, 2024
He just couldn’t get it together
Tyquan Thornton battled injuries in his first two seasons. Thornton missed the first four games of his rookie season because of a fractured clavicle. He returned and played their final 13 games with very little production. He finished the 2022 campaign with 22 receptions on 45 targets for 247 yards, two touchdowns, and 16 yards on three carries and one touchdown.
Thornton missed the first five games of his second season with a shoulder injury and didn’t participate in three other weeks as a healthy scratch. Once again, he struggled to establish consistency in 2023, recording 13 receptions on 23 targets for 91 yards and 51 yards on three carries.
He had four receptions on eight targets for 47 yards in 2024 and 39 receptions on 76 targets for 385 yards and two touchdowns in 28 career games and 13 starts.
What now?
Although Tyquan Thornton had a disappointing start to his NFL career with the New England Patriots, he still can turn things around because he’s still young. His development could improve under the right circumstances. Which team will give him a second chance and will he make the most of the opportunity?
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