10 Patriots Playing Their Way Out of New England's 2025 Plans

3. Tyquan Thornton

Ever since Tyquan Thornton was drafted with the 50th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, Patriots fans have been waiting for him to breakout and fulfill his second-round potential. It might be time to accept that the breakout is never coming.

In 28 career games, Thornton has a meager 39 catches for 385 yards and two touchdowns. In six games, the 24-year-old has four catches on eight targets for 47 yards and no touchdowns. Despite the lack of production from New England's wide receiving corps, Thornton has been a healthy scratch for two games.

On Sunday against the New York Jets, Thornton dropped a beautiful pass from rookie Drake Maye late in the first quarter.

The Patriots "have let it be known that Tyquan Thornton is available", but it is hard to foresee New England being able to recoup any substantial draft capital in exchange for the receiver.

Thornton is under contract for 2025 with a cap hit of $2.44 million. The Baylor product was on the roster bubble for final cuts this season and his days on the Patriots roster look numbered. Thornton will go down as another receiver miss for Bill Belichick in the draft.