After trading down in the first-round on Thursday night to select guard Cole Strange, the Patriots traded up midway throughout the second round on Friday night to snag Baylor wide receiver Tyquan Thornton.
The 6-2, 181-pound Thornton certainly achieves New England’s desire to add speed to the roster, having run the fastest 40 time at this year’s NFL Scouting Combine with a blazing 4.28.
New England traded the 54th overall pick and the 158th overall selection to move up to No. 50 in a deal with the Chiefs, the same teams who swapped the 21st and 29th picks in the first round. Bill Belichick and Andy Reid have been frequent trade partners over the years.
Quick notes on WR Tyquan Thornton:
--Thornton caught 143 passes for 2,242 yards (15.7 avg.) with 19 touchdowns over four seasons at Baylor. He had his best season last fall, with 62 catches for 948 yards with 10 touchdowns to lead his team in receiving and earn Second Team All-Big 12 honors.
--Finished his Baylor career in the top 10 in school history in receptions, receiving yards and touchdown catches.
--Thornton chose Baylor over a list of schools that included Georgia, Florida, Miami and Tennessee. He was actually offered a track scholarship by LSU.
--For whatever it’s worth, Thornton reportedly has the skinniest wrists in the draft class and “tiny” hands.
--The Athletic projected Thornton as a potential fifth-round prospect and the 23rd best receiver in the draft class.
--NFL.com projected Thornton as a third- or fourth-round pick, comparing him to former Patriots wide receiver Tiquan Underwood.
