The Kansas City Chiefs face roster attrition at wide receiver this coming offseason. Several contributors hit free agency, and Rashee Rice faces potential fallout from an off-field incident this past spring. Fortunately, the 2025 NFL draft includes plenty of talented receiving options.
Colorado State’s Tory Horton offers a safe floor as a prospect because of his upside as a special teams contributor and favorable physical traits. He returned a punt for a touchdown in three consecutive seasons, which is rare for a receiver with a 6 foot 3 inch, 185-pound frame.
First touch of the game: House Call 🏠
This man is SPECIAL!
📺 Altitude Sports/MWN#Stalwart x #AggieGrit🔶 pic.twitter.com/Ne7PmMBPJ0
— Colorado State Football (@CSUFootball) September 7, 2024
Colorado State runs many shallow crossing routes for Horton, but he ran and won on more vertical routes during his time at Nevada. His long strides and burst help him stack corners and generate vertical separation against press coverage. Horton lacks elite speed but offers more than enough to do damage downfield and after the catch.
Horton tracks the throw well and makes impressive adjustments while the ball is in the air. He posts examples of playing above the rim and dominating cornerbacks but needs to maximize his size and arm length at the catch point more often.
Horton moves with surprising fluidity for a slightly high-cut player. His athleticism lets him take advantage of cutback lanes after the catch and find hidden yardage. He makes the most of catch-and-run situations with his creativity.
Colorado State’s offense doesn’t ask Horton to run a full route tree. That’s an area of his game he must develop early in his NFL career.
Horton sat out Colorado State’s Week 4 game against UTEP as he healed from a groin injury. The Rams play their next game against Oregon State on Oct. 5 at 6:30 p.m.