The 2022 fantasy football hasn’t been easy to get an edge in since a rash of injuries struck stars across the league. Some waiver wire weeks have been strong, featuring two or more solid options for hurting managers. Others have been bare bones.
We’re paying close attention to the top names on the waiver wire all season long. With the New England Patriots finally embracing rookie wide receiver Tyquan Thornton in Week 6, it’s time to consider adding him off the waiver wire. We’ll dive into Thornton’s Week 7 waiver wire value as they face the Chicago Bears.
Should You Add Tyquan Thornton From the Waiver Wire for Week 7?
Available in virtually every Yahoo and ESPN league, Thornton has been flying as a watchlist candidate until this past breakout performance. He certainly grabbed our attention with 37 receiving yards, 16 rushing yards, and two total touchdowns in his second career game. The arrow is pointing straight up for the second-rounder out of Baylor.
Thornton’s usage until this point was nonexistent. New England has one of the weaker receiving rooms in terms of top-end talent but are deep with playable talent. DeVante Parker, Nelson Agholor, Jakobi Meyers, and Kendrick Bourne are ideal depth pieces for any functional offense.
But the struggles of quarterback Mac Jones before suffering an ankle injury buried the effectiveness of the unit. Yet, things changed when Bailey Zappe became the starter in relief of Jones.
Thornton was on injured reserve with a clavicle injury. He returned in Week 5, catching two passes for seven yards in 25 snaps. In Week 6, his snap share jumped from 42% to 57%.
The Patriots are reportedly taking offers to thin out their receiver room, with Bourne and Agholor being the most logical candidates to be dealt away. They should still feature Thornton’s athleticism, playmaking, and versatility as their featured star.
He clearly has an upside no one on the roster can match. Everyone else is a role player compared to Thornton’s physical gifts, even if that star power doesn’t consistently show for the entire duration of his rookie season.
MORE: Week 7 WR Fantasy Football Rankings
Fantasy managers could do worse than picking up Thornton, but his lack of a track record and this crowded room makes things difficult to project. Until his emergence, Meyers and Agholor had been the best receivers in the room.
Meanwhile, Jones could be back at any time. Will he show the same chemistry with Thornton? If Zappe continues to start, when will he hit the inevitable rookie wall?
These are major concerns for any fantasy manager who picks up Thornton despite his scoring upside. Anyone who needs Thornton in Week 7 will be especially troubled to know the Bears have allowed the fourth-fewest fantasy points to wide receivers. They’ve given up only 127 yards per game on 10.3 receptions.
Chicago’s defense ranks No. 3 overall in passing yards allowed, but they’re horrible at stopping the run. This makes it more likely New England takes a more pointed strategy of stuffing Rhamondre Stevenson down their throats as they did against Cleveland last week. Thornton may get opportunities, but it’s hard to be confident in his scoring potential with potentially only a handful of targets.
I think it’s a fine risk to stash Thornton on your bench as a depth piece, but starting him in Week 7 is a desperate move. That’s okay if that’s your situation, but be aware the rookie has more concerns than usual for someone coming off an impressive performance.