Will Dont’e Thornton Jr. be the Commanders New Deep Threat?

Hogs Haven takes a look at 2025 NFL Draft prospects that could contribute to the Commanders

Dont’e Thornton Jr., WR

School: University of Tennessee| Conference: Southeastern

College Experience: Senior | Age: 22 (Week 1)

Height / Weight: 6’5”/ 205 lbs

Projected Draft Status: 4th-6th round

Player Comparison: Martavius Bryant / Devaughn Vele

College Statistics

Player Overview

Baltimore-native Dont’e Thornton, Jr. was a four-star recruit from Mt. Saint Joseph HS (MD), he committed to playing for the University of Oregon Ducks for two seasons. He then transferred in 2023, to play the last two seasons with the University of Tennessee Volunteers. It was his final season, he turned heads with 26 receptions, 661 receiving yards, and 6 touchdowns on an absurd FBS leading 25.4 yards/reception.

Dont’e Thornton Jr. is a tall receiver with big plays written all over him but with limited volume. He is the embodiment of a “height, weight, and speed” archetype of receiver. He couples his height with blistering speed to become a downfield mismatch. He is also adept at catching 50-50 balls against defenders. When he’s not catching, he is seeking out defenders to block with his tall frame. However, he was not asked to do much within Tennessee’s offensive system. Dont’e will have to show teams he is adept at running multiple routes in the tree to convince teams he is worth drafting before the late rounds. He is projected to be a Day 3 selection, depending on whether the drafting team sees him as a future starter or purely a developmental rotation receiver at the X-position. With development and opportunity, Thornton Jr. could become a starting receiver.

Washington met Dont’e Thornton multiple times during the draft offseason, from the East-West Shrine Game to inviting him to the local Pro Day at Ashburn.

Awards & Recognition

• East-West Shrine Participant (2025)

Metrics

Strengths

• Big play waiting to happen. Led the nation with 25.4 yards per reception.
• Has all the physical attributes scouts want, height, weight, and speed, with a monster catch radius.
• 50-50 catcher with good concentration in traffic and soft hands.
• Willing blocker.
• Shown to have good hands at fending away initial presses.

Weaknesses

• Absurdly low volume. Never had more than 26 receptions in a season.
• Mainly used as a vertical threat.
• Needs to prove he can win with other routes.
• Routes weren’t run with sharpness or quick snap.

Let’s See His Work

Interview

How Will He Fit On The Team

With the limited cache of draft selections and no guarantee on accruing more, Washington needs to be able to find as many contributors as possible. That could also mean taking some home run swings on a couple of riskier prospects. GM Adam Peters loves to take his late selection swings on the more athletically-gifted prospects. All combined should make Dont’e Thornton Jr. a great fit. The Commanders need a receiver who is tall, fast, and willing to catch the 50-50 ball downfield which Thornton checks all the boxes. Dont’e showed even in a limited usage, he could be an impactful player with only a few catches per game. Adding Thornton will give Washington a vertical field stretching receiver that can fill Dyami Brown’s role in the offense.