The New England Patriots’ decision to release wide receiver Tyquan Thornton ahead of Sunday’s Week 11 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams signals the end of an underwhelming chapter for the 2022 second-round pick. It’s a move that many will look back on as another missed opportunity in the draft—a “what could have been” moment for a team that has struggled to hit on key offensive weapons in recent years.
A Promising Start That Never Materialized
When the Patriots selected Thornton with the 50th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, there was excitement. The Baylor product had a standout senior season, amassing 948 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns, showcasing his ability to make big plays. His blazing speed at the NFL Combine, where he ran a 4.21 40-yard dash, seemed to affirm his potential as a deep threat who could stretch the field and add a new dimension to New England’s offense.
But fast-forward to today, and it’s clear that Thornton’s time in New England was a far cry from the promise he showed as a college standout. Over parts of three seasons, he played in 28 games but was never able to carve out a consistent role. 39 receptions, 385 yards, and just two receiving touchdowns later, Thornton’s brief Patriots career was a failure by the standards of a high second-round pick.
Injuries and Inconsistency Hampered His Development
Injuries played a major role in Thornton’s inability to fulfill his potential. Shoulder injuries kept him sidelined for parts of his first two seasons, and he never seemed to gain any sustained momentum. After playing 13 games in his rookie year, Thornton was limited to just nine games in 2023. Even when healthy, his production remained inconsistent, and he was a healthy scratch for four out of the Patriots’ first ten games this season—a sign that the coaching staff had lost faith in him as a viable option.
Thornton’s inability to stay on the field, combined with his struggles to make a lasting impact when he did play, sealed his fate in New England. Now, the Patriots will attempt to move forward without him, placing Thornton on waivers as they prepare for the remainder of the season.
The Draft Regret: George Pickens and the ‘What If?’
If the Patriots had any lingering doubts about their decision to draft Thornton over other wide receiver prospects, the emergence of George Pickens in Pittsburgh has only intensified those regrets. Taken just two picks after Thornton at No. 52 overall in the 2022 Draft, Pickens has quickly developed into one of the NFL’s most explosive wideouts.
In 2023, Pickens led the league with an eye-popping 18.1 yards per reception, finishing the year with 1,140 receiving yards and five touchdowns. Over his first three seasons, he has already racked up 2,580 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns. Pickens’ ability to make big plays and his advanced route running have made him a key weapon in Pittsburgh’s offense, while Thornton has been relegated to the sidelines.
It’s not quite on the same level as the infamous 2020 draft blunder where the Philadelphia Eagles chose Jalen Reagor over Justin Jefferson, but it’s close. Pickens has been everything Thornton was supposed to be for New England—and more. Now, Patriots fans are left wondering how different things could have been had their team selected the right receiver.
The Bigger Picture for the Patriots
For New England, this marks yet another misstep in a long list of draft decisions that have failed to deliver immediate results. The Patriots’ recent drafts have been criticized for a lack of impact players, and the Thornton miss only adds fuel to that fire. While the team has had success with picks like Marcus Jones and Cole Strange, the inability to find a true game-changer on offense has hindered their ability to build a competitive roster.
As the Patriots continue their rebuild, they’ll likely look back on this draft with regret. While the team has made strides in other areas—such as on defense—the lack of reliable weapons for quarterback Mac Jones has been an ongoing issue. With players like Pickens thriving elsewhere, the question remains: could this be the moment that defines the Patriots’ recent struggles in the draft?
For now, the team will move forward without Thornton, but the sting of this decision will likely linger in the minds of Patriots fans for years to come. It’s a classic case of a “what if?”—one that could have drastically altered the course of New England’s offense in the post-Tom Brady era.
