5 Combine wide receivers who grabbed Cleveland Browns attention

Cleveland Browns attention-grabbing wide receiver No. 2: Tyquan Thornton

Perhaps no wide receiver helped out their stock more at the NFL combine than Baylor wide receiver Tyquan Thornton. Unless you follow Big-12 football passionately, Thornton was not a name that the average fan was even aware of. That was, of course, before he broke the NFL combine record for the fastest 40-yard dash ever recorded (even if it was retracted an hour or so later).

NFL scouts were aware that Thornton would test well, but no one expected him to post a 4.28. Thornton, who measured at 6-foot-2 and 181lbs, just put officially put his name on the map. When you add his 36.5-inch vertical jump and his 130-inch broad jump, consider Thornton to now be an x-factor for this year’s draft. Undoubtedly, a team will fall in love with his traits and call his name considerably earlier than expected pre-combine.

Thornton was viewed as a day three vertical threat coming into Indy. Now, after testing off the charts, all NFL GMs, including Andrew Berry, need to be deep-diving into the speed demon’s tape. While at Baylor, Thornton recorded 143 receptions for 2,242 yards and 19 touchdowns. Those are not mind-blowing numbers when you consider his physical metrics. However, 62 of those receptions came his senior year to go along with 10 touchdowns.

With his length and speed, Thornton could be developed into a dangerous Z receiver that would demand attention from opposing defenses. The Browns are in desperate need of speed, and Thornton should be a viable option if he is still available on day three.