The Kansas City Chiefs‘ offense has clearly benefitted hugely from the return of Rashee Rice, and before him, Xavier Worthy.
Having started the season throwing to the likes of JuJu Smith Schuster and former New England Patriots second round pick, Tyquan Thornton, Patrick Mahomes now has his top targets back and the offense is looking as good as its been for a long time.
The Chiefs have not failed to put up at least 28 points (equivalent to four touchdowns + extra points) in a game since their bout against the Russell Wilson-led New York Giants back on September 21.
Chiefs Could Move Off Former Second Round Wideout
Now that they have their starting wideouts back and are playing well, head coach Andy Reid, and general manager Brett Veach, could look to move off one of the second-stringers who diligently took up the mantle for the first few games of the season.
And one of those names, per ESPN’s Ben Solak, could be Thornton, who he thinks could be a strong target for the Atlanta Falcons to move for at the trade deadline.
“Chiefs receiver Tyquan Thornton.” Solak wrote on Wednesday, in response to the question concerning who the Falcons could look to target via a trade over the next few days.
“He had a productive September filling in for absent receivers, but he has fallen back down the depth chart. Meanwhile, Atlanta released speedy WR3 and return man Ray-Ray McCloud III. For a team that lives in three-receiver sets, that No. 3 spot needs filling. Thornton has the right skills for the job.”
Would The Chiefs Trade Away Tyquan Thornton?
It’s not immediately obvious that Kansas City would choose to rid themselves of the former Patriot, who has had a career renaissance since moving to the Midwest.
Part of that is due to playing with the best quarterback in football, Mahomes, and also combined with the fact that said QB had few other choices to throw to during the first month of the season in 2025.
Irregardless, Thornton has remained productive since the return of the other wideouts. However, his production comes and goes in highly variable chunks.
The ex-2nd rounder has had 3 games with 11 or fewer receiving yards – including two with none at all, both of which have taken place over the course of the last three games – and also 3 with 55 or more.
So he is far from a known, consistent quantity. Yet, for a team like the Falcons, who really just need anyone to take the WR2 slot alongside #1 Drake London and tight end, Kyle Pitts, and give them some sort of production, he could be a good fit.
Thornton actually has the third most amount of receiving yards, behind only Hollywood Brown and Travis Kelce, with 311.
The Falcons could also, if the Chiefs decide they want to keep Thornton, make a move for Smith Schuster. Given the former Steeler’s age and lower ceiling at this point in his career, he could be the cheaper option, and has similar production levels to Thornton (289 yards), which include an extra 10 receptions (24 to 14).
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