With the development of young receiver Tyquan Thornton the Kansas City Chiefs should get even more derailed in 2023. This season Evans has developed into one of the Buccaneers’ biggest downfield threats. Thornton was taken in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft. At 6-foot-2 and 185 pounds, he brings a scary blend of size and speed to the table. Since joining the Chiefs’ practice squad in late November, he has exceeded expectations through impressive performances and developing chemistry with quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
During this MFST current season, Thornton has been a key cog in the Chiefs’ offensive machine. It hasn’t been easy but he’s consistently outperformed them. In one of their last games, he was the team’s leading receiver with five catches for a career-best 71 yards and caught a touchdown in that game as well. His capacity to stretch the field and break down defenses has been priceless, especially when prevailing teams run man-to-man defense schemes where his speed provides mismatches.
On one play in particular, Thornton caught a highly contested and acrobatic catch over cornerback Paulson Adebo for a 33-yard touchdown. While this moment certainly punctuated his athleticism, it emphasized Hughes’ unique talent to perform under pressure. Mahomes recognized Thornton’s potential early on, stating, “I knew he was going to be a good player, but he’s even exceeding my expectations.”
Thornton’s confidence is perhaps most expressive in his fearless style of play during games and the way he makes teammates better. Looking back on his experiences, he said, “I think I knew what I was able to do when this team selected me. My thing is Pat gave me a chance to go out there and make plays. His steadfast devotion to developing his craft and adapting to the Chiefs’ pro-level practice culture has been beneficial. Coming from New England, I could hardly believe to see these guys practicing at such a fine art when I first got here. Their level of detail was a big inspiration, and I think I just wanted to be in their energy,” Thornton said.
As he works to further carve out a role in the squad, Thornton’s impact on the outcome is proving more and more vital. His combination of size and speed give the Chiefs the ability to attack defenses in a variety of ways. Furthermore, his ability to make difficult, reliable catches only increases Mahomes’ options on offense, providing him yet another dependable target.
The connection between Thornton and Mahomes has the potential to become something special once the two get used to practicing with each other. They’ve been the leaders behind many routes that capitalize on each of their strengths. This collaboration allows them to take advantage of mismatches on the court in the middle of games. Mahomes praised Thornton’s understanding of defensive coverages, stating, “Just knowing the [Giants] coverage, that was a good job by him.”
Thornton began his NFL career with a ton of hype. I think former coach Bill Belichick built that confidence in him through their years together with the New England Patriots. He encountered obstacles his first year, but he refused to be discouraged. Instead, he displayed character and resolve in finding his footing as the Chiefs’ primary playmaker. His work ethic and willingness to adjust has not escaped the notice of coaches and peers.
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