The Tennessee Volunteer had an impressive day at the combine.
Dont’e Thornton, a wide receiver out of Tennessee, had an impressive day at the NFL Combine and because of his performance, I think the New Orleans Saints should think about drafting him this April.
Standing at 6’5’’, his 40-yard dash of 4.30 stands out. And according to NFL Draft Files, this speed is nothing new. Thornton also had a vertical jump of 33” and a broad jump of 10’6’’, with a relative athletic score of 9.80.
Dont’e Thornton has otherworldly long speed and acceleration for a 6’5” WR.
He just straight up runs away from guys… the 4.30 40 isn’t surprising if you watched him this year. pic.twitter.com/UHZ1M53x5n
— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) March 1, 2025
In 2024, his best season of college football, Thornton had 26 receptions for 662 yards and six touchdowns. His best game was against Oklahoma, where he had two receptions for 73 yards and a touchdown. Last season also marked his first full season as an outside receiver.
Thornton has said that he’s also trying to take on a mentor role for the younger players.
“I know coach is going to say something to him, but I’m also trying to be the medium,” Thornton said on TPL Tennessee when discussing his relationship with freshman Mike Matthews. “Of course, a coach can get mad at you, and you might not listen, but coming from one of your teammates, it might feel different, so I just try to be there for him.”
Currently, he is projected to be a day three pick, which is something the Saints have plenty of (two picks in round four, one in round six, and one in round seven). So, if Thornton is available late in the process, I don’t see why New Orleans shouldn’t give him a call.