2. Tyquan Thornton, WR
Tyquan Thornton was selected by the Patriots in the second round as the 50th overall selection in the 2022 draft. Thornton played four years for Baylor and had a breakout season, having 62 catches, 948 yards, and 10 touchdowns, but he put the league on notice after his 4.28 forty-yard dash at the NFL Combine.
The Patriots had just made the playoffs in Mac Jones’s rookie season and aimed to bolster the offense by drafting Thornton. His rookie season was put on hold after suffering a fractured clavicle in the preseason, but he made his debut in week six versus the Cleveland Browns, where he had both a receiving and rushing touchdown. He finished his rookie season with 22 catches for 247 yards and three total touchdowns.
However, his rookie season would be his most productive as he finished the 2023 season with 13 catches for 91 yards in only nine games as he was placed on injured reserve. Although Thornton was one of the fastest receivers in the league, he struggled to translate his speed into his route running.
Thornton’s last season with the Patriots ended after being released midway through the 2024 season, where he had four catches for 47 yards. Thornton’s tenure with the Patriots was a failure as he showed no signs of improvement.
Instead of drafting Thornton, the Patriots could have drafted George Pickens, who was selected two picks later, or waited until the 4th or 5th round to draft either Romeo Doubs or Khalil Shakir.
Thornton, who is now on the Kansas City Chiefs' practice squad, is officially a bust for the Patriots, that was only selected because of his speed and weren’t able to help him improve as a receiver.