Big-bodied, aggressive Illinois lineman with NFL-starting experience
Thornton was a durable, versatile interior lineman at Illinois, starting across guard and tackle spots before becoming a third-round NFL draft pick, and his profile was built on size, power, aggression, and a finish-first mentality rather than flashy stats. At 6-3 and 320 pounds, he offered immediate physicality and position flexibility, with scouts and Colts evaluations praising his competitiveness and constant effort. The main question for any team is durability: his pro career was shortened by injury issues, including an ankle problem that helped push him toward retirement, so the fit is best for a team valuing toughness and power with managed health risk.
