The New England Patriots didn't necessarily need to pick a wide receiver in this year's draft after addressing the position by trading for veteran Devante Parker and signing Ty Montgomery in free agency. In fact, New England's healthy receiving depth chart heading into the draft consisted of Jakobi Meyers, Kendrick Bourne, Nelson Agholor, N'Keal Harry, Kristian Wilkerson and Tre Nixon.
Montgomery, granted, is more of a pass-catching running back. Even so, he can provide steady contributions as a hybrid receiver/running back and kick returner.
Nonetheless, when Patriots general manager Bill Belichick and director of player personnel Matt Groh found themselves on the clock in the second round last Saturday, they elected to trade up and take Baylor's Tyquan Thornton with the 50th selection of the 2022 NFL Draft.