6 NFL offensive rookies with the most to prove this season

Tyquan Thornton was an equally weird pick

Sticking with the Patriots draft class, their second-round pick also was a bit of a head-scratcher. With a need at receiver and a plethora of options available, New England grabbed Baylor wideout Tyquan Thornton. Almost everyone expected him to be a day-three pick, so seeing him go in the middle of the second round seemed early.

To his credit, Thornton shot his draft stock to new highs after posting an incredibly fast 40-yard dash. His tape was less impressive, as he is a very raw receiver that wins only with speed right now. There were a lot of good receiver prospects on the board for the Patriots (something that a few NFL teams exploited after them), so the selection of Thornton seemed forced.

We will all have to wait on Thornton due to his injury, but that may harm him more than people expect. If some of the receivers after him shine early on, Thornton will have to make an impact early to avoid the reach title. He needs to justify the early selection by becoming more than just a vertical threat.