This overlooked draft bust is suddenly making noise at Chiefs OTAs

While there's optimism surrounding the wide receiver position for the Kansas City Chiefs in 2025, one can never have too much talent or depth there. That's why, even though it's only OTAs, seeing random receivers stand out is worth discussing.

During Thursday's OTAs, Tyquan Thornton was a player who had the media buzzing. Pete Sweeney posted that Thornton caught two passes and "was among the offensive standouts on Thursday. Felt like he was everywhere."

Thornton was a second-round pick by the Patriots in the 2022 draft and did not pan out there. His best season was during his rookie year where he hauled in 22 receptions for 247 yards and two touchdowns but he never came close to touching those numbers again. Last year saw him appear in just six games while catching four passes for 47 yards.

Tyquan Thornton is showing Chiefs something at OTAs

Thornton is capable of being a great weapon, proving so during his college years at Baylor. In 2021, his final year with the Bears, Thornton caught 62 passes for 948 yards and had 10 trips into the end zone. It made sense why he went in the second round but he hasn't been able to show that level of production in the NFL yet.

Realistically, Thornton is a long-shot to make the 53-man roster but that doesn't mean it's an impossible feat for him. For sure making the roster are Hollywood Brown, Rashee Rice, Jalen Royals, JuJu Smith-Schuster, and Xavier Worthy, leaving one spot or potentially two spots open for another receiver to snag.

If Thornton continues to show this kind of production throughout training camp and preseason, maybe there could be a place for him on the Chiefs' final roster. The Patriots didn't have a great quarterback situation during Thornton's early NFL seasons and the Chiefs obviously have a great quarterback so maybe that's the big difference here.

It's also possible that the offense just didn't click for Thornton in New England and a change of scenery was needed for him. It's only OTAs but seeing someone perform well in OTAs sure beats them being a disappointment.

We'll have to see if Thornton can continue this early excitement and work his way onto Kansas City's 53-man roster.