The Patriots continued to march to the beat of their own drum by selecting Baylor speedster Tyquan Thornton with the 50th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.<\/p>\n
According to multiple reports, there was a run at wide receiver started by New England\u2019s selection that would\u2019ve likely included Thornton either way, so it\u2019s not totally out of left field.<\/p>\n
But the wide receiver who ran a 4.28-second 40-yard dash was projected by most pundits at the end of day two or early on day three. Ultimately, Bill Belichick and company have their board, and they\u2019re sticking to it, so let\u2019s forget about reaches and give them the benefit of the doubt.<\/p>\n
The standout trait for Thornton is obvious, speed, with tantalizing vertical speed that translates from his 40-yard dash at the combine to the field.<\/p>\n
But according to Patriots Director of Player Personnel Matt Groh, there’s more to Thornton’s game than speed.<\/p>\n
“I think it even starts before that with his release. This isn’t just a linear guy. You see him really be able to get off the line. And for as fast as he is — I’m sure you guys are all grinding film on Tyquan and Marcus — to be able to see him get in the red zone and do some things, and it’s not just speed, it’s 6’2″, ability to get up and really pluck the ball out of the air. So, there’s going to be a lot of different things that he’s going to be able to do to help.”<\/p>\n