Draft Analysis: Dont’e Thornton Jr

February 5, 2025 /
  • Height: 6’5″
  • Weight: 214 lb
  • College: Tennessee
  • Tape watched: Alabama, Oklahoma, Vanderbilt
  • NFL Comparison: Marquez Valdes-Scantling

Pros

  • Deep Threat

Without a doubt Dont’e Thornton Jr.’s best attribute is his field stretching prowess. He has long strides that can tear up turf. Posting an absurd 3.72 yards per route run, Thornton will be at the top of the draft class in terms of capitalizing on opportunities. With only 34 targets on the season, those opportunities were high value.

  • Blocking

Active, disciplined, tenacious; all words to describe Thornton’s run block style. He really jumped off the tape attacking and sealing off defensive backs. His massive frame and long arms really get put to use.

Midline

  • Hands

Dont’e Thornton Jr. rarely utilizes his body to catch the football. He has great hand traits, with mitts that vacuum the ball out of the air. There were no noticeable double-catches or focus issues tracking the ball. Thornton was either not trusted, or didn’t find himself in enough contested catch situations to boost his hands to the Pros category.

  • YAC

Despite the lack of wiggle and lateral agility, Thornton is adequate at picking up extra yards. Even when wrapped up early for a tackle, his 6’5″ frame and wingspan allows him to fall forward or reach for extra yards. He has no issues taking on defenders and lowering his pad level.

Cons

  • Contested Catch Rate

A listed 6’5″ receiver with only 4 contested targets raises questions. Thornton wasn’t exactly a leaper, but instead trusted to chase the ball downfield, or catch the ball quickly and outrun the defense. A lot of Tennessee’s offense relies on spacing and quick routes, focusing on instant throws by the quarterback. Even in two seasons at Oregon, his contested catch opportunities were non-existent.

  • Versatility

Exclusively an outside receiver, Thornton isn’t likely to make an impact in multiple spots across the offensive formation. He is a true X receiver that can be trusted to make splash plays with size and speed.

  • Route Tree

Maybe the most limiting aspect of Dont’e Thornton Jr.’s game is the offense in which he played. Almost exclusively kept on a vertical plane, Thornton was only asked to run fades, posts, hitches, and slants. All routes he could maintain top speed or use it to keep the defender backpedaling.

Overview

Dont’e Thornton Jr. is unproven, with career highs of receptions (26), yards (662), and touchdowns (6). To his credit, he probably could have flirted with 40, 1000, and 10 with better quarterback play for the Volunteers. Thornton can be a nice mid to late round addition for NFL teams looking for size and speed, something that is always coveted in the NFL. Players like Rasheed Shaheed and Marques Valdes-Scantling have made NFL careers and more as big play, high variation NFL role players.