Dont'e Thornton Jr.
Dont'e Thornton Jr. WR Tennessee | NFL Draft 2025 Souting Report - Portrait Image
Dont'e Thornton Jr.
Height
6-5
Weight
214
College
Tennessee
Position
WR
Class
Senior
Home town
Baltimore, MD
82.5/100
Player Rating
17
PositionRank (WR)
4.43
FortyYD Time
Receptions
25
Rec YDs
647
Rec TDs
6
Rec AVG
25.9

Dont'e Thornton Jr. WR Tennessee | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report

Dont'e Thornton Jr. WR Tennessee
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report

ROLE: Multi-Role Receiver
Last Updated: 09/21/2024
Draft Year: 2025
40 time: 4.43 seconds (76%*)
Age: 22.0 DOB: 11/30/2002
Measurables:
Height: 6-5 (94%*) Weight: 214 (80%*)
Forty: 4.43 (O) (76%*) Shuttle: 4.45 (HS) (12%*)
Vertical: 34.5 (HS) (41%*)
0% 100%
(C) - NFL Combine (P) - Pro Day (O) - Other (HS) -Estimated from High School Combine
For an explanation of how the (HS) data is calculated see this article
All Tennessee Draft prospects
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ROLE: Multi-Role Receiver
Last Updated: 09/21/2024
Draft Year: 2025
40 time: 4.43 seconds (76%*)
Age: 22.0 DOB: 11/30/2002
Measurables:
0% 100%
Height: 6-5 (94%*) Weight: 214 (80%*)
Forty: 4.43 (O) (76%*) Shuttle: 4.45 (HS) (12%*)
Vertical: 34.5 (HS) (41%*)
(C) - NFL Combine (P) - Pro Day (O) - Other
(HS) -Estimated from High School Combine
For an explanation of how the (HS) data is calculated see this article
All Tennessee Draft prospects
SHARE THIS PROFILE:
Overall Rating: 82.5 / 100
Average rating of opposition Defense player has faced
Defense Rating:
76%
Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects.
QB Rating When targeted: 130.7
Hands:
69%
Short Receiving:
83%
Intermediate Routes:
89%
Deep Threat:
94%
Blocking:
67%
DRAFT PROJECTION: 6th
Overall Rank: #178 Position rank: #17
College Games: 41 College Snaps: 1007
Grade: 4 ESPN Stars 4 ESPN Stars ESPN RATING: 85/100
College Combine Results
View >>
Grade: 247 Sports 4 Stars 247 Sports 95 Stars 247 RATING: 95/100
Grade: 4 Stars 4 Stars RIVALS RATING: 6.0 (98%)
Player Comparison* (Similarity level)
Matt Landers - Arkansas
81%
Nico Collins - Michigan
80%
Bryce Ford-Wheaton - West Virginia
78%
Draft Profile: Bio
Dont'e Thornton Jr., born in Baltimore, Maryland, emerged as a standout wide receiver at Mount St. Joseph High School. A consensus four-star recruit, Thornton ranked as the No. 57 prospect nationally and No. 7 wide receiver in the 2021 class. His high school career was highlighted by 78 receptions for 1,881 yards and 26 touchdowns, averaging an impressive 24.1 yards per catch.

Thornton began his collegiate career at Oregon, where he played two seasons before transferring to Tennessee. At Oregon, he appeared in 25 games, recording 26 catches for 541 yards and three touchdowns. His sophomore year showed promise, with 17 receptions for 366 yards, averaging a team-best 21.53 yards per catch. After transferring to Tennessee for his junior year, Thornton played in 9 games, making 3 starts and catching 12 passes for 224 yards and 1 touchdown.

Standing at 6'5" and weighing 214 pounds, Thornton possesses an intriguing blend of size and speed for the wide receiver position. His athletic background extends beyond football, as he excelled in track and field events during high school, including the 100 meters, high jump, long jump, and triple jump.
Scouting Report: Strengths
  • Elite size-speed combo with a frame that towers over defensive backs and the wheels to stretch the field vertically
  • Towering catch radius allows him to pluck the ball out of the air, giving QBs a large target window
  • Displays natural body control and flexibility when adjusting to off-target throws, maximizing his catch opportunities downfield
  • Home run hitter with the ability to take the top off defenses and create chunk plays in the passing game
  • Quick off the snap with smooth acceleration, allowing him to eat up cushion against off coverage quickly
  • Red-zone mismatch potential due to his imposing frame and ability to high-point balls over smaller defenders
  • Positional versatility to align both outside the numbers and in the slot, offering scheme flexibility for creative coordinators
  • Track background translates to gridiron, showing deceptive long speed and burst to separate on deep routes
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
  • Lackluster collegiate production raises questions about his ability to consistently impact games at the next level
  • Raw route technician who needs to sharpen his breaks and develop a more diverse route tree to create separation
  • Inconsistent hands catcher who lets too many catchable balls hit the turf, needs to improve concentration in traffic
  • Lacks physicality as a perimeter blocker, must improve strength and technique to contribute in the run game
  • Limited exposure against press coverage and top-tier competition could lead to a steeper learning curve in the pros
    • Scouting Report: Summary
    Thornton's tantalizing blend of size and speed will have NFL teams salivating over his potential as a vertical threat. His ability to stack defenders and win downfield aligns with the league's emphasis on explosive plays. However, the raw aspects of his game, particularly in route running and consistency, temper expectations for immediate impact. In the right system, Thornton could develop into a dangerous X receiver who commands safety attention and opens up the underneath game. His red-zone potential adds value, but he'll need to refine his releases and expand his route tree to become more than just a one-trick pony. Teams will need to weigh his athletic upside against his current limitations. Scheme fit will be crucial for Thornton's success. He profiles best in a vertical passing attack that can maximize his deep-threat ability while allowing him time to develop the nuances of the position. His draft stock may be volatile, but teams looking for a high-ceiling developmental receiver could view him as an intriguing day-three selection with starter upside if he can put it all together.
    Written By:
     Bill Miller (SEC)

    Dont'e Thornton Jr. percentiles vs other Wide Receivers (NFL Combine historically - higher value represents better perfomance)

    How other scouting services rate Dont'e Thornton Jr. (Overall Rank)

    All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
    260.5
    All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
    36.0
    *Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance. For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.

    *Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.