The Patriots accumulated more draft busts than successes in recent years, causing roster struggles and harming Bill Belichick's legacy, especially at wide receiver. The franchise failed to identify a clear successor at receiver, with selections like N'Keal Harry and Tyquan Thornton leaving within three years. Thornton showed preseason flashes but suffered recurring injuries and limited development, producing only 39 receptions for 385 yards and two touchdowns in three seasons in New England. Thornton has since joined Kansas City and made the Chiefs' 53-man roster for 2025, presenting a potential deep threat for Patrick Mahomes and a career resurgence.
The Patriots have had the unfortunate experience of accumulating more draft busts than draft successes in recent years, which has become a massive part of their roster struggles during that time. Bill Belichick's legacy took a hit because of it, especially when it came to finding their next best wide receiver for their quarterback. The issue dates back to Tom Brady's time on the team, but it became more significant when trying to build around their projected next franchise player.
Thornton, however, appears to be jumpstarting the next phase of his career, as he has made a name for himself this past year in Kansas City. Despite being known for showing out in training camp and the preseason yet not translating that to the regular season, NFL insider Jordan Schultz announced he made the Chiefs' 53-man roster for the 2025 season, a feat not many could have predicted just one year ago.
From the start of his career, Thornton was scrutinized for when he was drafted, as many experts believed he was a reach by Belichick. Although he has no impact on when a team drafts him, it slapped him with a label that was never going to be able to live up to the way other second-rounders typically do. Stacking up injuries every preseason didn't help his case, either,
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