Could the Bucs look to add another receiver in this year’s draft?
The Buccaneers have one of, if not the best wide receiver room in the entire NFL, but could they look to add another piece to the room in this year’s NFL draft?
On paper, it may not make much sense but when thinking about the reality of the situation, Tampa Bay could use some depth there. In 2024, there were multiple games where the Bucs were without Mike Evans and Chris Godwin and even Jalen McMillan. Against the Chiefs last season, the Bucs top three receivers were Sterling Shepard, Trey Palmer and Ryan Miller. With all due respect to those three, that’s a probably a situation the Bucs want to avoid when playing against the NFL’s best in 2025.
So where could the Bucs look? The 2025 NFL Draft presents an opportunity and a guy like Dont’e Thornton Jr could be a solution.
Dont’e Thornton Jr’s Collegiate Career
Thornton Jr originally began his career at the University of Oregon where he played two seasons with the Ducks before transferring to Tennessee before the 2023 season.
In his first season with the Volunteers, he suffered a season ending injury on a 46 yard touchdown reception. He came back in 2024 and played well, catching 26 passes with 661 yards and six receiving touchdowns. Just 26 catches and six touchdowns showcases the big play ability of the 6’5”, 205 pound receiver.
Pro Day and Scouting Combine
This is where Thornton Jr really caught some people’s attention. At the NFL Scouting Combine he ran the 40 yard dash and clocked in at 4.3 seconds as well as a 10 yard split in 1.51 seconds. He also registered a 33” vertical jump and a 10’6” broad jump.
After a strong performance at the combine, Thornton did not participate in much at the Tennessee pro day. At the event though, he did speak with the media and compared himself stylistically to Nico Collins with his blend of size and explosiveness.
What Thornton Jr can do for the Bucs in 2025
Simply put, Thornton wouldn’t be likely to see the field much in his rookie season. However, Mike Evans is a year older and has missed at least one game in three of the last four seasons. Not to mention Chris Godwin is coming off of a major injury himself, the path to Thornton Jr potentially playing a bit may not be all that unrealistic.
If the room stays healthy though, Thornton Jr would be great depth for Tampa Bay and a deep threat that the team really could use in their offense and utilize from time to time.
Three-Year Outlook
If all goes well with development, Thornton Jr could certainly be a viable receiving option for Tampa Bay in three year’s time. An unfortunate reality for Bucs fans is that Mike Evans won’t play forever and he’s entering a contract year this season. Who knows if Evans is playing football in three years and who knows how the development of Jalen McMillan would go.
If Thornton Jr hits, he could end up being similar to a Nico Collins and that would be a massive development for the Buccaneers.
Stock Report
Thornton Jr currently projects as a day three pick who maybe could sneak into late day two if a team falls in love with his tools. His lack of overall production in college may hurt his stock but the combination and size and speed will be enough for some team to take a chance and hope they can continue to develop him. We’ll see if that team is Tampa Bay.
On the Clock…
Alright BucsNation, the time has come to make the decision. Should the Buccaneers draft Dont’e Thornton Jr? Let us know in the poll and comment section below!