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Tennessee Vols WR Dont'e Thornton lands at top of impressive list from PFF ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Zach Ragan | Last updated Apr 15, 2025 1:53 PM ET

Tennessee Vols wide receiver Dont'e Thornton, who is expected to be selected in the later rounds of the 2025 NFL Draft, landed at the top of an impressive list from Pro Football Focus this week.

On Tuesday, PFF detailed the top playmaking wide receivers in the 2025 NFL Draft and Thornton landed at the top of their list.

"Dont'e Thornton Jr. is the 2025 draft class' most efficient playmaking wide receiver," noted PFF's Lauren Gray. "Although Thornton saw only 34 targets in 2024, eight turned into big-time catches."

From PFF: Thornton caught 26 of 34 targets last season for a career-high 662 yards. Each of his eight big-time catches gained 40 or more yards, accounting for 470 yards of his receiving total. He also logged four touchdowns on big-time grabs.

One of Thornton's most memorable "big time catches" came in Tennessee's win against the Oklahoma Sooners in Norman, a 66-yard reception where the wide receiver showed off his elite downfield speed.

Dont'e Thornton Jr., 66 yard, TOUCHDOWN TENNESSEE pic.twitter.com/QC4PIbIMar
— gmannVOLS (@gmannVOLS) September 22, 2024

Another memorable play from Thornton came in Tennessee's regular season-finale against Vanderbilt -- an 86-yard touchdown reception that tied the game in the second quarter.

DONT'E THORNTON 86 YARD HOUSE CALL

pic.twitter.com/obmCU0fvN0
— PFF College (@PFF_College) November 30, 2024

Thornton is viewed by some NFL teams as a "one-trick pony", which is why he'll likely be a day three selection. The Maryland native, however, obviously has elite skills and he could end up being one of the draft's biggest steals.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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