Packers: Re-grading the 2014 draft class four years on
Round 3: Khyri Thornton, DT
Khyri Thornton might go down as one of Ted Thompson’s biggest misses in the draft. A hamstring injury wiped out his rookie season, and the following summer he was waived by the Packers.
Thornton didn’t play a single regular season snap for the Packers. Following his time in Green Bay, the third-rounder was briefly with the Patriots, before finding a home with the Lions for three years.
Thornton played in 23 games for Detroit before getting cut last November.
Grade: F
Round 3: Richard Rodgers, TE
Considering Richard Rodgers was a third-round pick, it hasn’t panned out for the Packers. He was drafted as a result of Jermichael Finley’s career-ending neck injury the season prior.
Rodgers is a solid player and has made some spectacular plays over the years. Nobody will ever forget the Miracle in Motown, when Rodgers held on to Aaron Rodgers’ stunning Hail Mary pass to not only defeat the Lions, but save the Packers’ season.
But the production simply hasn’t been there for Rodgers. In 2017 he posted his lowest totals yet, catching 12 passes for 160 yards and a touchdown.
In 14 games this season, Rob Gronkowski tallied 1,084 yards and eight touchdowns for the Patriots. It’s taken Rodgers four years to reach 1,166 yards and 13 touchdowns.
Grade: D