The start of Day 3 of the 2025 NFL Draft was a test for the anxious. The [Seattle Seahawks](https://www.fieldgulls.com/)’ first pick of the day would not be until the end of the fourth round. The team also traded down before selecting Rylie Mills and traded down again before selecting Colorado State receiver Tory Horton.
Horton and Mills are very similar picks. Two players who would have been selected earlier in the Draft if not for the injuries they suffered. The difference is that Horton is in a much more advanced stage of recovery and he is part of a position where he will have a better chance of competing for the starting job.
Can he make an impact in Year 1?
**Who is Tory Horton?**
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Horton has sports in his DNA. His brother, Tyler, entered the NFL as a UDFA DB who signed with the [Miami Dolphins](https://www.thephinsider.com/) after the 2019 draft. His sister, Jeane, is a volleyball player who has played in several countries. Horton played baseball, football, and basketball in high school.
He entered college as a 3-star prospect and dreamed of an offer from Fresno State, but it never came. Horton had only received offers from FCS teams (Montana, Montana State, and Northern Colorado) until Nevada recruited him. After two years with the Wolf Pack, he followed Jay Norvell to Colorado State. After an extremely productive first year with the Rams, he received NIL offers from other FBS teams, but he wanted to stay loyal to Norvell and honor his teammates. Horton was a two-year team captain.
He missed the final seven games of 2024 due to a knee injury in the game against San Jose St. We found out, as Mills did, that Horton visited Seattle pre-draft, precisely so the team could evaluate his knee. It’s worth noting that he is not injury prone; before this injury he had only missed one game in his career. Horton also adds value as a punt returner 3 TDs of 79, 78 and 72 with an average of 16.3 per return (26 attempts for 423 yards and 3 TDs.
He is part of a special group:
The most productive WRs in College in the last 6 seasons in YPRR (minimum 300 routes):
1. DeVonta Smith: 4.21;
2. Jordan Addison: 3.29;
3. Tory Horton: 3.16;
4. Rome Odunze: 2.90;
5. Tank Dell: 2.90;
6. Malik Nabers: 2.84
In addition to producing as a receiver, he also has a TD thrown.
**Athletic Potential**
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According to Reel Analytics, he received an In-Game Athleticism (IGA) Score of 90.3. Horton’s athletic data (top speed, time to reach top speed, change of direction) on the field are similar to Chris Olave, an old acquaintance of Klint Kubiak.
Horton started running again two weeks before the Combine and, despite being 6’2, he ran a 4.41 in the 40-yard dash at the Combine. He said he ran a 4.35 in training. It’s amazing how little he was used vertically by the Rams’ offense.
Coming from the slot, he takes an inside release at the top of the route, threatening to cut to the right and making the DB hesitate, creating space for a smooth reception on the left side of the offense.
**Route Runner**
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Success by route:
* Flat, Screen, Comeback: 100%;
* Slant: 87.9%;
* Out: 85.7%;
* Dig: 83.3%;
* Post: 73.1%;
* Curl: 64%;
* Corner: 54.5%;
* Go: 56.4%;
* Others: 77.8%;
As seen by the success of the routes, he was not explored to his fullest. As a result, he needs to refine some routes, as well as above where the route was more rounded than expected.
In this play we can see his potential and how he can suddenly change direction, creating separation. It is worth noting that this snap was won (even though the QB did not pass the ball to him) against Travis Hunter, the second overall pick in this year’s draft.
**Scheme Limitations**
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This crossing route was one of the most executed by Horton. Lots of Mesh concept and its variations. However, as mentioned above, Horton’s potential verticality was never used.
He had snaps as an outside receiver, running with the ball, used in motion. Some of these things will be useful in the NFL, but more is needed to be successful. It is always good to remember that College Head Coaches are interested in winning their games and not in developing their players for the NFL.
**Contested receptions**
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Despite not being able to get separation, he continues to try to help the QB improvise in the scramble and manages to have control for a reception on the edge of the sideline.
It is always good to note that at this point in the game, the Longhorns had already put their reserves in place after opening a large lead against the Rams. Still, he has a sudden change of direction to make the reception, in addition to the body control to stay on the field. This is one of the characteristics that makes me believe in the potential that Horton can achieve.
He does a good job of catching passes away from his frame.
**Lack of Physicality**
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In 2024 he had a drop rate of 3.8%, in 2023 the drop numbers were higher, so it’s something to keep an eye on.
He doesn’t add much in YAC because he’s not good at breaking tackles, nor does he appear very interested in fighting physically for it. He gets added yards with juke moves, and he does that very well. The change of direction is very good for someone his size.
He doesn’t have the frame to serve as a blocker and still needs to improve his technique a lot. This could be a problem in the battle for snaps against receivers like Jake Bobo and Dareke Young.
This lack of physicality will be tested in press coverage in the NFL, which is much more frequent.
**Final Thoughts**
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Horton has a great chance of getting the starting job. His real fight is against MVS and let’s be honest, he was only signed as a stopgap and because he had already played for Klint Kubiak. Both have the ability to be the Z receiver and a vertical threat different from the other players at the position, in order to complement Cooper Kupp and Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
In addition to having to wait for his knee to recover, we will have to see how Horton will work in a more complex scheme. As mentioned above, Colorado State’s offense greatly limited his potential and gave him a reduced route tree that did not explore his full skill set.
I believe this was a good draft to get a receiver. Seattle had chances to go early at the position, but got good value. It is worth remembering that the Seahawks traded down before selecting Horton right after the Titans moved up ahead of the Seahawks to select Elic Ayomanor. The Stanford receiver was highly rated than Horton and would be a great fit in our offense.
For now, he will wear the number 15 jersey. If it refers to John Ursua’s recent short-lived stint, it is also worth remembering Jermaine Kearse and that it was Doug Baldwin’s first number when he arrived in Seattle.