The 49ers could easily be intrigued with Dont'e Thornton's speed if he puts it on display at the NFL Scouting Combine.
It might not be a No. 1 priority for the San Francisco 49ers, but grabbing a wide receiver in this year's NFL Draft has to be on the table.
Especially if the Niners ultimately move on from veteran wideout Deebo Samuel, which they're expected to do after his trade request.
San Francisco's depth chart is likely to be thin after Samuel departs, yet the need for a wide receiver doesn't exactly supersede needs for both the offensive and defensive lines.
As such, the 49ers may have to look to the latter portions of the draft to find some sleeper talent.
One name to watch is wide receiver Dont'e Thornton out of Tennessee.
If the long and lanky Thornton impresses during the NFL Scouting Combine, it might give the Niners enough reason to make him a day-three draft priority.
49ers must closely watch Dont'e Thornton at NFL Combine
The intangibles are certainly there for Thornton, evidenced by his notable 6-foot-5 and 185-pound frame.
While thin, there's no doubting the height could be a factor, especially on contested catches and within the red zone. As such, teams like San Francisco will pay attention to the receiver's high jump.
Dont'e Thornton receiving statistics
Year | School | Games | Receptions | Yards | TDs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2021 | Oregon | 14 | 9 | 175 | 2 |
2022 | Oregon | 11 | 17 | 366 | 1 |
2023 | Tennessee | 9 | 13 | 224 | 1 |
2024 | Tennessee | 13 | 26 | 661 | 6 |
Career | 47 | 65 | 1,426 | 10 |
Thornton put himself into draft consideration with a notable 2024 campaign in which he led college football with a whopping 25.4 yards-per-catch average, which stands out.
However, the other intangibles might be worth watching when he does his on-field workouts in Indianapolis.
Namely his speed.
Rumored to be able to run a 4.3 40-yard time, Thornton can get down the field fast, and head coach Kyle Shanahan once made straight-line speed one of his requirements for receivers.
Now, Thornton's route tree might not be the greatest, and he's widely viewed as more of a developmental project than a polished receiver who could make an impact in year one.
For a 49ers team wanting to win now, that might be discouraging. However, for long-term potential and upside, filling the pipeline by adding to the back end of the depth chart with a sleeper prospect like Thornton wouldn't be the worst idea.
Especially if his combine workouts are impressive.
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