With the NFL Draft just over two weeks away, set to commence at the iconic Lambeau Field, all 32 teams across the league are in the final stages of their preparations for the three-day selection event. This includes the Los Angeles Chargers, now under the leadership of new head coach Jim Harbaugh, who will be looking to strategically utilize their draft capital to build for the future. This will include nailing picks in the later rounds.
Pro Football Focus attempted to find the best fits among the talent expected to go on day three. For the Chargers, they found speedy receiver Dont’e Thorton Jr., formerly of the Tennessee Volunteers.
Los Angeles Chargers Prospect to target: WR Dont’e Thornton Jr., Tennessee
“The Chargers retained Jalen Reagor, hoping he would be the answer to take the top off defenses, but his ineffective career play should lead the front office to look elsewhere. Thornton is a blazer (4.3-second 40-yard dash time) and deep-ball technician, highlighted by his 93rd-percentile mark in average target depth and 97th-percentile mark in yards per route run last season.”
The 6 foot 5, 205 pounder is a primarily vertical threat receiver, one whose main role is to stretch the field and challenge defenses deep. This player, likely possessing significant straight-line speed, demonstrates an ability to navigate early contact and separate from tight man coverage. A key strength lies in his technique of “stacking” cornerbacks, gaining advantageous positioning to track and secure deep throws. He exhibits versatility in his downfield receiving, capable of winning over the top or utilizing routes that allow him to catch the ball in stride.
However, the evaluation also notes limitations in his route tree, suggesting that defenses employing two-high safety looks could potentially neutralize his effectiveness. His contributions after the catch on shorter throws are described as average. Conversely, he leverages his physical size effectively, demonstrating a capacity to win contested catches at all three levels of the field. Ultimately, this player projects as a lower-volume target with production that may vary, but he should be a player of interest for teams specifically seeking to inject vertical speed and deep-threat capability into their offensive schemes.
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