The Tyquan Thornton Era in New England seems to be coming to a close, as Jason La Canfora reports the team is considering a trade. A second-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, the Baylor product has struggled to make a name for himself with the Patriots. During his first two seasons in the league, the wideout recorded an underwhelming 338 yards on 37 receptions despite facing no real competition on the depth chart. However, he seemed to put his troubles behind him in training camp, as the third-year wideout reportedly impressed teammates, coaches, and media members alike throughout offseason workouts.
So far, those practices have not translated to the game. Thornton has recorded just two receptions for 27 yards through four games and hasn’t caught a pass since the season-opening win against the Cincinnati Bengals. Perhaps the second-round pick simply can’t cut it at the NFL level, or maybe Jacoby Brissett’s poor downfield ability combined with New England’s abysmal offensive line made it impossible for a receiver with 4.28 40-yard speed to be a deep threat. Seeing as he likely won’t cost anything more than a late-round pick, the Carolina Panthers and Kansas City Chiefs could kick the tires and trade for Tyquan Thornton.
Chiefs, Panthers Could Trade For Tyquan Thornton
The Carolina Panthers have a functional offense with Andy Dalton replacing Bryce Young. While the 2024 iteration of the team will be watchable, the jury is still out on 2025 and beyond. First-round pick Xavier Legette looks like the real deal, but 2023 second-round pick Jonathan Mingo has yet to prove himself in this offense. Adam Thielen is on the injured reserve and isn’t getting any younger, while most reports indicate that wide receiver Diontae Johnson will not be back after this season. With only one promising long-term option, the Panthers could take a minor risk and trade for Tyquan Thornton.
Carolina could use a deep threat and, on paper, Tyquan Thornton can fill that void via trade. Andy Dalton might not be the second coming of Dan Marino, but the longtime NFL veteran is easily the best quarterback of Thornton’s career. Maybe he couldn’t get the job done with Mac Jones and Jacoby Brissett, but Dalton can bring out the best in his playmakers. And while Carolina won’t want to give up picks, perhaps they could get Thorton and a Day 3 pick in exchange for Diontae Johnson. The Patriots need more talent for when Drake Maye eventually takes the starting job, and Johnson could aid with Maye’s development.
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More Help For Mahomes
The Kansas City Chiefs entered the season with two dangerous speed threats in Marquise Brown and first-round pick Xavier Worthy complemented by intermediate threat Rashee Rice. These three would be more than enough for a great quarterback like Mahomes, but injuries took Brown and Rice away for the foreseeable future. While Worthy remains on the field, the rookie isn’t ready for a full-time role. Tyquan Thornton probably won’t become a 100-catch guy in Kansas City, but the Chiefs won’t need him to do that to justify a trade.
Patrick Mahomes hasn’t put up his usual numbers, but the three-time Super Bowl champion hasn’t forgotten how to throw a football. Mahomes could use another vertical threat, and Thornton is one of the fastest players in the league based on pure speed. He may not be the most well-rounded player, but he can stretch the field, and Mahomes has the arm talent to reach every part of the field. If any trade could bring out the best of Tyquan Thorton, it’s this one.
Main Photo: Katie Stratman – USA Today Sports
