Amid questions around the current Kansas City Chiefs receiver depth chart, fans could badly use a reason to buy into the current unit. One surprising stat has presented this opportunity, with Tyquan Thornton keeping shockingly elite company. The pass-catcher ranked 10th when it came to PFSN's WR impact meter for the 2025 season, with only established stars ranking ahead of the Kansas City 25-year-old Thornton.
The system takes everything into account, from yards and touchdowns to catch rate over expected, yards after catch, as well as the offensive coaches around each player. It is a welcome ranking that gives reason to embrace the current unit as well as believe in the future of Thornton.
The receiver is coming off a breakout season, offering a career-high 438 receiving yards and a trio of touchdown catches. It is more production than Thornton offered in his first season in the league combined, pointing to KC's elite ability to find overlooked pieces.
It isn't just the jump in production that has Thornton ranked so highly in this list, but the type of plays he made. The elite speed set up explosive plays and gave Patrick Mahomes a consistent deep target. It was clear that there was production left on the table as well, due to some missed shots and Mahomes' season being ended early due to injury.
One WR ranking points to reason Chiefs are right to believe in Tyquan Thornton
Players ranked ahead of Thornton include the true cream of the crop at the position, like Puka Nacua, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Amon-Ra St. Brown, and Ja'Marr Chase. This is an elite 2025 group that points to the level of respect Thornton is garnering and the clear potential of a breakout season in 2026.
While this past year was a solid start to his Chiefs career, there is reason to believe there is a second gear yet to be unlocked. Thornton now has the benefit of spending a year in Andy Reid's system and has growing chemistry with Mahomes. Mixed into this is the team's new balance with the addition of Kenneth Walker III, giving the team a clear rushing presence it has been lacking in recent years. Which could no doubt open things up downfield.
Thornton has the potential to double his output from a year ago, offering consistent big plays and giving Mahomes a needed star presence. PFSN's ranking unquestionably indicates this ability and points to mounting expectations for the veteran. For the Chiefs, it simply reinforces the belief that the right decision was made by signing him to a two-year extension that keeps Thornton rostered through the 2027 season.
What will be entertaining to watch is whether this momentum surpasses Xavier Worthy, who was expected to be the primary option behind Rashee Rice and Travis Kelce. It seems there is an increasing possibility that this will be Thornton and not the third-year receiver.
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