Thornton finished the 2022 season with 22 catches on 45 targets for 247 yards and two TDs in 13 games.
What it means:
In his rookie campaign, the 2022 second-rounder was a complementary piece in a New England wideout corps that also included Jakobi Meyers, DeVante Parker, Kendrick Bourne and Nelson Agholor. Looking ahead, Parker, Bourne and Thornton remain under contract with the team next season, with reinforcements slated to arrive via free agency and the draft. Thornton's fantasy prospects in 2023 hinge on him seeing increased volume, which is a plausible outcome for the speedster out of Baylor pending the Patriots' offseason moves.
Thornton brought in three of seven targets for 60 yards and a touchdown in the Patriots' 23-21 win over the Dolphins on Sunday.
What it means:
The rookie speedster was the somewhat surprising leader in receiving yards and checked in second in targets for the Patriots on the afternoon. Thornton's touchdown grab came just past the midway point of the first quarter on a seven-yard catch, only the second of first pro season. Thornton's receiving yardage tally was also a career high, and he could once again play an important role in a critical Week 18 road battle versus the Bills.
Thornton (knee) is listed as active for Sunday's game against the Dolphins.
What it means:
Given that DeVante Parker (concussion) remains out this week, Thornton should continue to see added snaps versus Miami, but with an 18/174/1 stat line on 36 targets through 11 games overall, the 2022 second-rounder isn't a high-percentage fantasy lineup option in Week 17.
Thornton (knee) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Dolphins after practicing in a limited fashion this week, Evan Lazar of the Patriots' official site reports.
What it means:
Given that DeVante Parker (concussion) remains out this week, Thornton should continue to see added snaps versus Miami, but with an 18/174/1 stat line on 36 targets through 11 games overall, the 2022 second-rounder isn't a high-percentage fantasy option in Week 17.
Thornton (knee) was limited at practice Wednesday.
What it means:
Thornton logged 52 of a possible 56 snaps on offense in this past Saturday's loss to the Bengals, while catching one of his three targets for eight yards in the contest. With no reported setbacks, Thornton's listed limitations Wednesday could well be maintenance-related. Either way, with an 18/174/1 stat line (on 36 targets) in 11 games, the rookie wideout is off the fantasy radar in most formats.
Thornton was on the field for 52 of a possible 56 snaps on offense in Saturday's 22-18 loss to the Bengals, en route to catching one of his three targets for eight yards in the contest, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.
What it means:
Despite seeing added snaps of late with DeVante Parker (concussion) sidelined, Thornton has posted back-to-back one-catch efforts. Heading into the Patriots' last two regular-season contests, the 2022 second-rounder remains off the fantasy radar in all but the deepest of formats.
