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Tory Horton has been a hot name in draft circles for a few seasons now. For one reason or another, he opted to use all of his college eligibility and the buzz died down slightly as his career progressed. Horton missed a big chunk of the 2024 season after having knee surgery in October, but he recovered in time to put together a really nice combine performance. He’s definitely a developmental prospect, but the tools to become a good route runner are there.
Height: 6’2.5’’, Weight: 196, Arm Length: 30.6’’, Hands: 9”
40-Yard Dash: 4.41, 10-Yard Split: 1.53, Vertical: 37.5”
Early in his career, Horton lined up exclusively on the outside, but he’s been moved around the formation more in recent seasons. This has benefitted Horton quite a bit, allowing him to get more clean releases off the line.
Horton is an intelligent route runner against zone coverage, understanding how to work over the middle of the field until his quarterback has a throwing lane. He tempos his routes to avoid running passing through open zones too quickly. There are also a few excellent reps where you can see him scanning the defense and changing his route accordingly. These aspects of his game would lend themselves very well to more of a flanker/slot role in the NFL.
Against man coverage, Horton’s game is much more of a mixed bag. One route that he runs very well is the comeback route. He needs to be more consistently aggressive when attacking defender’s leverage, but he will work into their blind spot and uses a really crafty peak inside at the top of his stem to further sell a fade route. The rest of his route tree is a work in progress. He needs to improve his route setups against off-coverage. He will change speed in his routes occasionally, but he doesn’t do it with any real craft. Horton also loses his balance far too often. He does this when he’s trying to execute a route setup that he clearly hasn’t mastered, as well as on routes where he needs to drop his weight. In general, his footwork can be all over the place on intermediate routes. He drifts out his breaks and takes extra steps at the top of routes too often.
At the catch point, Horton can be inconsistent but is generally solid. He’s very good at making adjustments to catch passes that are off target and away from his frame. There is a very small sample size of Horton being targeted in contested situations, but his technique is good enough to project him to have success there. He high points the football when he can and makes catches while taking big hits. His technique will short circuit on targets at an awkward height on the border between using overhand or underhand position. He also needs to cut down on the clap attacks.
Horton can do some damage after the catch as well. He’s a tough runner who often needs numerous defenders to be brought down. He’s very elusive in tight areas for a player his size, and transitions well from receiver to runner.
Horton could have a career arc similar to former first round pick Nelson Agholor. Agholor was a developmental player who was overdrafted due to his speed and inflated college production. He struggled out of the gate, but eventually put together a solid career as a complimentary weapon playing in a wide variety of roles. Like Agholor, Horton will likely start his career playing on the outside, but a team might be able to unlock him with a move to the slot.
This article originally appeared on Raiders Wire: NFL Draft Scouting Report: WR Tory Horton
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Measurables
Height: 6’2.5’’, Weight: 196, Arm Length: 30.6’’, Hands: 9”
Testing - Combine
40-Yard Dash: 4.41, 10-Yard Split: 1.53, Vertical: 37.5”
Scouting Overview
Early in his career, Horton lined up exclusively on the outside, but he’s been moved around the formation more in recent seasons. This has benefitted Horton quite a bit, allowing him to get more clean releases off the line.
Horton is an intelligent route runner against zone coverage, understanding how to work over the middle of the field until his quarterback has a throwing lane. He tempos his routes to avoid running passing through open zones too quickly. There are also a few excellent reps where you can see him scanning the defense and changing his route accordingly. These aspects of his game would lend themselves very well to more of a flanker/slot role in the NFL.
Against man coverage, Horton’s game is much more of a mixed bag. One route that he runs very well is the comeback route. He needs to be more consistently aggressive when attacking defender’s leverage, but he will work into their blind spot and uses a really crafty peak inside at the top of his stem to further sell a fade route. The rest of his route tree is a work in progress. He needs to improve his route setups against off-coverage. He will change speed in his routes occasionally, but he doesn’t do it with any real craft. Horton also loses his balance far too often. He does this when he’s trying to execute a route setup that he clearly hasn’t mastered, as well as on routes where he needs to drop his weight. In general, his footwork can be all over the place on intermediate routes. He drifts out his breaks and takes extra steps at the top of routes too often.
At the catch point, Horton can be inconsistent but is generally solid. He’s very good at making adjustments to catch passes that are off target and away from his frame. There is a very small sample size of Horton being targeted in contested situations, but his technique is good enough to project him to have success there. He high points the football when he can and makes catches while taking big hits. His technique will short circuit on targets at an awkward height on the border between using overhand or underhand position. He also needs to cut down on the clap attacks.
Horton can do some damage after the catch as well. He’s a tough runner who often needs numerous defenders to be brought down. He’s very elusive in tight areas for a player his size, and transitions well from receiver to runner.
Player Comparison
Horton could have a career arc similar to former first round pick Nelson Agholor. Agholor was a developmental player who was overdrafted due to his speed and inflated college production. He struggled out of the gate, but eventually put together a solid career as a complimentary weapon playing in a wide variety of roles. Like Agholor, Horton will likely start his career playing on the outside, but a team might be able to unlock him with a move to the slot.
Final Grade: 4th Round
This article originally appeared on Raiders Wire: NFL Draft Scouting Report: WR Tory Horton
Continue reading...
