Tyquan Thornton has become too valuable for Chiefs to treat as a stopgap

Chiefs general manager Brett Veach has long had a soft spot for turning former high draft picks into reclamation projects. His latest experiment: Tyquan Thornton, the 50th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. Just three days after being waived by the New England Patriots last November, the Chiefs scooped him up for their practice squad. By February, Thornton had signed a futures/reserve deal with Kansas City but was still viewed as a long shot to crack the 53-man roster.

Thanks in part to the six-game suspension of Rashee Rice, Thornton earned a spot on the roster, and he hasn’t wasted the opportunity. Through his first three games with Kansas City, he’s hauled in nine passes for 171 yards and two touchdowns. He’s already shown a knack for big plays, with a 38-yard grab against the Chargers, a 49-yarder versus the Eagles, and a 33-yard reception this past Sunday against the Giants.

Tyquan Thornton’s emergence as a trusted target for Patrick Mahomes is turning last year’s quiet pickup into a key piece

Thornton’s early tape suggests he can win in multiple ways, not just with pure speed. He’s also flashed the ability to gain separation in the short-to-intermediate areas of the field. That’s what the Chiefs need as their receiver group gets back to full strength—a dynamic option with some positional versatility. Rather than fitting a single archetype, Thornton gives Kansas City a complementary weapon who can stress defenses vertically while still working underneath.

Perhaps the most encouraging development is how quickly Thornton has earned Patrick Mahomes’ trust. For Kansas City’s offense, the quarterback’s confidence in his receivers often dictates who thrives, and Thornton has already positioned himself as a reliable option in the pecking order. Mahomes isn’t hesitating to look his way, and Thornton is rewarding that trust with production. If that chemistry continues to build, Thornton’s role could remain significant even when the receiving room is fully healthy.

Paired with Rice and Worthy, Thornton’s skill set could make Kansas City one of the more balanced receiving corps in the league, capable of attacking at every level of the field. Teams that can threaten a defense all over the field force their opponents to play more honestly. That could pay dividends for a Kansas City run game that has struggled to generate momentum.

It’s a rare NFL story when an in-season pickup becomes a key contributor the following year, and Kansas City has been fortunate in that regard with Thornton. He’s not just filling a roster spot; he’s proving he belongs and can add meaningful value to the Chiefs’ offense as the season progresses. It will be exciting to watch how he continues to develop in the weeks ahead.

Xavier Worthy could be back as soon as next week when the visiting Baltimore Ravens descend upon Arrowhead. Thornton's presence should take some pressure off Worthy and allow him to ease back into the offense. One way or another, Thornton has gone from overlooked to indispensable, and his growth over the rest of the season could prove just as important as the returns of more heralded teammates.