Patriots

Patriots trade up for speed demon WR Tyquan Thornton in second round

The Patriots traded up four spots to take the fastest receiver at this year's NFL Combine.

Baylor wide receiver Tyquan Thornton, left, scores past Virginia linebacker Josh Chandler-Semedo, on a pass play in the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021, in Waco, Texas. Rod Aydelotte/Waco Tribune-Herald via AP

By Khari Thompson

April 29, 2022

Another day, another surprise for the Patriots at the 2022 NFL Draft.

This time, it was New England trading up four spots in the second round to take blazing-fast Baylor receiver Tyquan Thornton with the No. 50 overall pick.

Thornton set the field at Lucas Oil Stadium on fire at the NFL Combine with a 40-yard dash that unofficially appeared to break the all-time combine record of 4.22 seconds. His official time ended up being 4.28 seconds, but he maintained his place as the fastest receiver at the combine this year.

The @Patriots just grabbed the fastest WR in the Draft.@BUFootball's Tyquan Thornton, who ran a 4.28 40. #NFLDraft @Humble_Ty19 pic.twitter.com/WvR8Fg25Yk
— NFL (@NFL) April 30, 2022

Most projections didn’t have Thornton coming off the board until Day 3, but the Patriots opted to move up to grab a player with the speed to terrify defenses and help young quarterback Mac Jones.

New England traded away the No. 158 pick to the Chiefs in order to move up from No. 54 and trade with Kansas City, meaning it still has its two third-round picks (Nos. 85 and 94).