Next Game
Now Playing
Share Video
Link copied!
-
0:222025 NFL Draft Grades: Raiders Select Dont'e Thornton No. 108
-
1:39Highlights: Dylan Sampson, Dont'e Thornton Jr. and James Pearce Jr. at Tennessee's Pro Day
-
1:34Dont'e Thornton Jr. reveals his favorite NFL Combine meeting and the pro wide receiver he resembles most
-
1:06Tennessee WR Dont'e Thornton Jr. details mindset change that led to his big-play success in 2024
-
5:30Tony Vitello reacts to Tennessee baseball's series loss at LSU
-
2:57Marcus Phillips reacts to Tennessee's Game 2 win over LSU
-
6:13Tony Vitello reacts to Tennessee baseball's Game 2 win over LSU
-
0:182025 NFL Draft Grades: Browns Select Dylan Sampson No. 126
-
0:332025 NFL Draft Grades: Chiefs Select Omarr Norman-Lott No. 63
-
0:342025 NFL Draft Grades: Falcons Select James Pearce Jr. No. 26
-
0:45Latest portal intel on WR Keelan Marion | 247Sports Ultimate CFB Show
-
1:152025 NFL Draft - Josh Pate's Players to Know: RB Dylan Sampson (Tennessee)
-
2:01Tennessee and UCLA swap quarterbacks
-
1:11QB Nico Iamaleava transferring to UCLA
-
1:57Nico Iamaleava to UCLA not a done deal
-
1:27Evaluating QB Gio Lopez
-
1:41There is still potential in Nico Iamaleava despite the Tennessee fallout
-
1:26UCLA Has Present NIL Offer To Nico Iamaleava
-
1:41Report: Nico Iamaleava to UCLA?
-
1:39NFL Draft RB Rankings: No. 2 Dylan Sampson (Tennessee)
Draft Scouting Report
Rating: 74.90 (Roster depth)
Pro Comparison: Marquez Valdes-Scantling
Summary
Dont’e Thornton Jr. is a tall, explosive receiver with the speed to stretch the field vertically. At 6-foot-5, he has a massive catch radius and the long speed to run away from defenders. His game is built on athleticism, showing natural burst on deep routes and quickness on comebacks and screens. While he isn’t a refined route-runner, his vertical ability and movement skills make him an immediate big-play threat. He has solid hands and tracks the ball well but needs to improve his ability to handle press coverage and play through contact. His after-the-catch ability is promising but not yet a major strength.
About
- 2024: Led FBS in yards/reception (25.4)
- 2024: Co-led FBS in catches of 50-plus yards (six)
Strengths
- Serious vertical juice, can run past most NFL DBs
- Large catch radius he uses well
- Explosion makes him a dangerous YAC threat
Weaknesses
- Didn't see much press, will take time to combat that routinely in the NFL
- Didn't run close to the whole route tree in college
- Doesn't quite play to his size in those rebounding situations
Combine Data
- 40-yard dash: 4.30 seconds
- Vertical jump: 33 inches
- Broad jump: 10 feet, 6 inches
Top Dont'e Thornton Jr. News
-
Raiders' Dont'e Thornton: Adds speed to Vegas' receiving corps
The Raiders selected Thornton in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, 108th overall.
Thornton had modest collegiate production, though he did average 25.4 yards per catch with six touchdowns in his final year with Tennessee. The Raiders likely drafted him with a similar role in mind, as he'll be able to use his 4.30 40-yard dash speed to threaten defenses vertically, in turn opening space underneath for the likes of Jakobi Meyers and Brock Bowers. That may not mean a lot of production immediately for Thornton, but targets after Bowers and Meyers are up for grabs in the Raiders' wide receiver corps.
... See More ... See Less -
![]()
-
![]()
-
![]()
-
![]()
Player Bio
| HT/WT: 6-5, 214 lbs |
| Birthplace: Baltimore, MD |
| Age: 22 |