Did Patriots really use 2nd-round pick on WR to not see production in 2022?

The New England Patriots‘ 2022 NFL Draft was confusing enough, but the lack of other offseason moves has made it all the more puzzling.

After trading up in the second round to select Baylor wide receiver Tyquan Thornton, the Patriots did not thin out their wide receiving corps despite N’Keal Harry still being present, as well as Nelson Agholor eating up considerable cap space for a whole lot of nothing.

On the surface, it’s obvious that guys like DeVante Parker, Jakobi Meyers and Kendrick Bourne will be eating most of the reps, which is understandable. They all deserve it.

Training camp competition is always healthy and is certainly a strong philosophy of Bill Belichick, but if there isn’t some sort of re-tool here, then Patriots fans could see Thornton watching and learning rather than doing.

At least, that’s what we’re gathering from esteemed Patriots writer Henry McKenna of USA Today. He believes Thornton “may not make his mark on the offense” until 2023.

Did the Patriots really used a second-round pick on Tyquan Thornton to not play him a lot in 2022?

It’s common knowledge that the Patriots’ playbook takes longer to learn than most, but when you’re trading up for a second-round pick and securing talent at that point in the draft, isn’t it in an attempt maximize that player’s value over the next four years since they don’t have the fifth-year options like first-rounders do?

Considering the Patriots’ many other needs — including at wide receiver — it’s frustrating for fans to think the team was planning for the future (2023 and beyond) with the Thornton pick rather than addressing the immediate voids.

Building a team takes years and years, but the Patriots are at a unique juncture where they can’t really afford to sacrifice any of Mac Jones’ early years but also can’t throw all their eggs in the 2022 basket. New England is good … but there’s still work to be done.

Which brings us back to the 2022 draft in general. Then why trade back in the first round to select what was projected to be a third-round talent? Why trade up in the second round to grab Thornton — a talent that was sought after — and not make room for him on the depth chart before Week 1? Why use three straight selections on two running backs and a quarterback?

Drafting impact talent should’ve been atop the bulletin board. And that very well may have been the plan since we’ve yet to see the product on the field. But the early returns and buzz suggest otherwise, further bringing into question Belichick’s vision of this team, both present and future.

Reported interest in Tyquan Thornton changes perspective on Patriots’ pick

The latest post-draft buzz indicates multiple teams were interested in drafting newly-minted Patriots receiver Tyquan Thornton in the second round.