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The Pittsburgh Steelers have plenty of question marks surrounding the wide receiver room beyond 2025 — with George Pickens potentially on his way out after this season. However, this year’s draft presents the Steel City with another opportunity to draft and develop an extremely athletic wide receiver in the later rounds: Tennessee Volunteer Dont’e Thornton Jr.
2021 (14 games): 9 receptions, 175 yards, 2 TDs
2022 (11 games): 17 receptions, 366 yards, 1 TD
2023 (9 games): 13 receptions, 224 yards, 1 TD
2024 (13 games): 26 receptions, 661 yards, 6 TDs
Thornton is arguably the best linear deep threat in the entire 2025 NFL Draft. Some prospects’ 40-yard dash speeds fail to translate on the field — but that isn’t the case for Thornton, who can turn any simple catch-and-grab into a touchdown with his lightning-fast speed, as evidenced by his FBS-leading 25.4 yards per reception. He isn’t just fast, either — as his 6'5" frame and ability to track deep balls make him dangerously efficient in contested catch situations.
Once Thornton's size and speed have finished mesmerizing the masses, there isn't much to like in terms of a versatile route tree — and once he breaks from his route, his separation burst is average at best. His yards after the catch have primarily come from linear breakaways rather than elusiveness, which remains a major area for improvement.
Thornton is obviously a project at the next level — but that's not a bad thing for an already stacked Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver room. If George Pickens leaves the Steel City in 2025, Thornton’s linear deep-threat ability could at least help keep safeties off Metcalf. If Pickens stays put, however, the coaching staff can focus on properly developing his route tree. He would likely only cost a Day 3 pick at most, and his potential to become the Pittsburgh Steelers’ next great wide receiver steal is too much to pass up in Rounds 6 or 7.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: 2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report: WR, Dont'e Thornton Jr., Tennessee
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- Name: Dont'e Thornton Jr.
- College: Tennessee
- Height: 6'5"
- Weight: 205 lbs
- 40-yard dash: 4.3 seconds
Stats:
2021 (14 games): 9 receptions, 175 yards, 2 TDs
2022 (11 games): 17 receptions, 366 yards, 1 TD
2023 (9 games): 13 receptions, 224 yards, 1 TD
2024 (13 games): 26 receptions, 661 yards, 6 TDs
Strengths:
Thornton is arguably the best linear deep threat in the entire 2025 NFL Draft. Some prospects’ 40-yard dash speeds fail to translate on the field — but that isn’t the case for Thornton, who can turn any simple catch-and-grab into a touchdown with his lightning-fast speed, as evidenced by his FBS-leading 25.4 yards per reception. He isn’t just fast, either — as his 6'5" frame and ability to track deep balls make him dangerously efficient in contested catch situations.
Weaknesses:
Once Thornton's size and speed have finished mesmerizing the masses, there isn't much to like in terms of a versatile route tree — and once he breaks from his route, his separation burst is average at best. His yards after the catch have primarily come from linear breakaways rather than elusiveness, which remains a major area for improvement.
How would he fit on the Steelers’ offense?
Thornton is obviously a project at the next level — but that's not a bad thing for an already stacked Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver room. If George Pickens leaves the Steel City in 2025, Thornton’s linear deep-threat ability could at least help keep safeties off Metcalf. If Pickens stays put, however, the coaching staff can focus on properly developing his route tree. He would likely only cost a Day 3 pick at most, and his potential to become the Pittsburgh Steelers’ next great wide receiver steal is too much to pass up in Rounds 6 or 7.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: 2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report: WR, Dont'e Thornton Jr., Tennessee
Continue reading...
