New England Patriots: Tyquan Thornton won’t be another Bethel Johnson

Did the New England Patriots draft a superstar in the making in Baylor standout Tyquan Thornton or did they draft another Bethel Johnson?

In trading up in the second round to select the speedy wide receiver with the No. 50 selection in the 2022 NFL Draft, Bill Belichick showed some aggressiveness on Day 2, but still has fans and critics skeptical on whether it was the right move for the right player.

Given Belichick’s history of drafting receivers, there is some hesitance to get too excited about the 6-foot-3 burner.  While there was a nod to Bethel Johnson, who was selected with the No. 45 pick back in 2003, Thornton appears to be made of a different cloth as he is committed to not just depend on his speed.

Tyquan Thornton brings speed and versatility to New England Patriots offense

In his introductory meeting with the media, Thornton introduced Patriots fans to other elements of his skillset and makeup that should translate into excitement about Thornton the football player, who sounds like a Belichick guy in talking about his role in Baylor’s offense throughout this college career.

"“I feel like playing at Baylor they prepared me pretty well,” Thornton said, via Patriots.com.  “Just running different offenses for the first few years, my freshman and sophomore year and then Coach Brown coming in and bringing in a different offense, you know?  I feel like they got me prepared as far as site adjustments and converting the routes as well.  I learned all positions, the L to the Z, so I’m not just learning just one position.  You’ve got to learn the whole concept.”"

With 62 receptions for 948 yards during his final season at Baylor, Tyquan Thornton comes to New England with something to prove.  Not only does he need to prove that he can adjust to a new offensive scheme, but he is also out to prove that he isn’t just speed on the field.  He is a versatile player who will give Mac Jones a unique target due to that speed and size.

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In modeling his game after Davante Adams, the New England Patriots rookie receiver loves to create separation at the line of scrimmage.  Whether he does it with physicality, speed, or a combination of both, that attribute is something Jones and the Patriots offense need in a skilled wide receiver.

With DeVante Parker, Jakobi Meyers, Nelson Agholor and Kendrick Bourne in the mix, there won’t be too much pressure on Thornton in his rookie season except not to draw instant comparison to that of Johnson or another second round bust by the name of Chad Jackson.  Yes, remember him?

In all, the expectations won’t be too high for Thornton, but Patriots fans do hope he gives the team more than N’Keal Harry, another high round pick, did in his first three seasons combined.  On the surface, at least, it appears Thornton is bringing the right kind of mindset it takes to be successful in the New England Patriots offense.

"“Like I said before, man, I’m coming from a program like Baylor University where we stay true to the process,” Thornton said when ask why the Patriots saw him as a fit.  “The process is all we know.  You’ve got to know your job and you’ve got to do your job at a high level, and I feel like that’s something that I did the four years that I was at Baylor.  So I mean, I’m ready to get there and power of God, definitely.”"

Looks like someone has done his homework on the Patriots and the “Do Your Job” mantra.