Ever since Tyreek Hill left Kansas City in 2022, the Chiefs' wide receiver room has lacked a true speed threat. Although the Chiefs drafted Xavier Worthy, who ran the fastest 40-yard dash ever in 2024, his speed wasn't on display much as a rookie. In addition to Worthy, Kansas City is expecting Marquise "Hollywood" Brown, who is also a burner, to be fully healthy this year.
That said, an unexpected name has had an impressive showing throughout the first two weeks of Chiefs OTAs. Former New England Patriots wide receiver Tyquan Thornton has made the most out of his reps early on. If he continues on this trajectory, he may sneak his way onto the Chiefs' 53-man roster.
Tyquan Thornton Could Ride Positive Start to OTAs to a Chiefs Roster Spot in 2025
In 2022, the Patriots selected Thornton with the 50th pick in the second round. Unfortunately, things did not work out for the 24-year-old in New England. In about two and a half seasons with the Patriots, Thornton recorded only 39 catches on 76 targets for 385 yards and two touchdowns.
Due to his underperformance, New England cut Thornton in November of last year, which is how he landed on Kansas City's practice squad. During the first OTA session open to the media last week, Thornton showed his growing chemistry with Patrick Mahomes.
While this particular video is just Thornton running a route on air, seeing that he is in the right spot and under the ball for Mahomes is important. Moreover, on the 41 is the mic podcast, Nick Jacobs expanded on Thornton's day by talking about 7-on-7s. Jacobs said, " I felt like Mahomes was able to lay the groundwork chemistry-wise with Thornton and with Jalen Royals in that practice that we were able to watch both from a 7-on-7 sand team perspective."
That chemistry wasn’t as visible during the second open OTA, with just one reported connection between Mahomes and Thornton during 11-on-11s. However, that doesn’t mean progress isn’t happening behind the scenes.
Thornton’s elite speed has never been a question. What held him back in New England was his consistency and health. If he can stay healthy, continue building trust with Mahomes, and show well in training camp and preseason games, he has a real shot at sticking on the final roster.