Tag: Tory Horton

Texans add All-Big Ten DL, All-Conference WR in 2025 NFL mock draft

In the latest mock draft by Pro Football Focus, the Houston Texans shore up both lines and add another weapon for C.J. Stroud.

While the Houston Texans are looking toward the AFC playoffs, the team’s scouting department is starting to formulate an idea on what direction to look in the 2025 NFL Draft.

Defensive tackle remains a dire need. So does the interior offensive line. And after losing Tank Dell for most —if not all — of the 2025 season, wide receiver has moved up the pecking order in Nick Caserio’s to-do list.

The good news? Pro Football Focus has Houston targeting all three positions with its first three picks. At pick No. 23, the Texans bolster their defensive line by targeting All-Big Ten defensive tackle Kenneth Grant from Michigan. 

Here is PFF’s Gordon McGuinness’ commentary on Grant:

The Texans are really strong at edge defenders, as Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter give them one of the top pass-rushing duos in the NFL. Adding to their defensive interior would be wise though, and if Grant is still on the board when they make their selection, he would make a lot of sense.

At pick No. 55, the Texans improve their pass protection with an anchor at guard in Georgia’s Tate Ratledge.

Here’s McGuinness’ note on Ratledge.

Ratledge has been one of the best pass-blocking guards in all of college football throughout his time at Georgia, earning an 80.0-plus PFF pass-blocking grade in each of the past three seasons, and allowing just 13 total pressures from 1,016 pass-blocking snaps since 2021.

In Round 3, Houston swipes perhaps the most underrated receiver prospect in the draft with the selection of Colorado State’s Tory Horton at pick No. 87. The two-time All-Mountain West was coming off back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons with the Rams before suffering a season-ending knee injury against San Jose State.

Here’s McGuinness’ thoughts on Horton.

The Texans offense suffered when Tank Dell got hurt in 2023, and when Nico Collins got hurt this year, so investing a top-100 draft pick on a wide receiver would make a lot of sense. Horton has averaged over 2.70 yards per route run in each of the past three seasons.

Currently, the Texans own the No. 19 pick, though given their playoff status, that’s subject to change.

Houston closes out the regular season on Sunday against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for noon CT.

Chiefs scouting report: Colorado State Rams WR Tory Horton

Colorado State Rams WR Tory Horton is a top prospect to watch for the Kansas City #Chiefs in the 2025 NFL draft.

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.

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.

Travis Hunter rises as a receiver, Tory Horton falls in Colorado’s win over Colorado State

Travis Hunter rises as a receiver, Tory Horton falls in Colorado’s win over Colorado State

The annual rivalry game between Colorado and Colorado State wasn’t much of a contest after the first quarter. The Buffaloes ran away from the Rams for a 29-9 win at Colorado State that also served as a scouting showcase for two well-regarded wide receiver prospects for the 2025 NFL Draft.

For Colorado’s Travis Hunter, it was a night that proved he’s a high-end WR prospect in addition to being the best cornerback prospect in the class at this point. Hunter made several impressive catches from a sharp Shedeur Sanders (36-of-49, 310 yards, 4 TDs, 0 INTs) at quarterback, including a sideline snag well away from his body where Hunter held the ball out well after the play to show how easily he made a tough catch look, and also with both feet inbounds.

Hunter, as he is wont to do, was masterfully creative after the catch. A simple outside pivot that was too fast and too unexpected by the defense bought him an extra 10 yards on one catch-and-run. The 6-foot-1 Hunter finished the night with 13 catches for exactly 100 yards and two touchdowns. He was invariably open all night.

It was a rough night for his CSU counterpart Horton. He was ineffective early before leaving the game in the second quarter after aggravating a leg injury that had him questionable for the game. It’s an unfortunate break for Horton, losing his biggest stage to show out. In the 2023 meeting, Horton established himself as a Day 2 prospect with a monster outing: 16 catches, 133 yards, 2 TDs. On Saturday night, Horton caught two passes for 24 yards before leaving.

Colorado State WR Tory Horton a game-time decision for Rocky Mountain Showdown, per report

After suffering an injury last weekend, CSU star wide receiver Tory Horton will likely play in tonight’s Rocky Mountain Showdown

Colorado State football star Tory Horton is one of the best wide receivers in college football. However, his status is in the air ahead of Saturday evening’s Rocky Mountain Showdown against the Colorado Buffaloes after suffering a groin injury in Week 2.

At the moment, it appears the fifth-year senior will play. Despite ESPN reporting Horton as a game-time decision on Saturday morning, CSU head coach Jay Norvell said Monday he was “hopeful” Horton will play against the Buffs.

Still, Horton will likely be evaluated during warmups after practicing on Friday.

Horton’s absence would greatly hurt CSU and strip a potential Travis Hunter vs. Horton matchup after Hunter got injured early in the contest last year. Horton was the Rams’ top receiver in 2023 and most notably caught 16 passes for 133 yards and a touchdown (while throwing for one too) against the Buffs in Boulder last season.

Horton and the 1-1 Rams will host the 1-1 Buffaloes at 5:30 p.m. MT on CBS.

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Top players who opted to return to college instead of entering the 2024 NFL draft

Top players who opted to return to college instead of entering the 2024 NFL draft

Most of the time when college players make an announcement about their eligibility and the NFL draft, it’s them declaring they’re leaving school and entering the professional ranks. But not everyone leaves early, not even when projected as a potential first round pick.

There are a few college players who opted to stay in the college ranks instead of declaring for the 2024 NFL draft. Here are some of the bigger names who opted to stay in school.

8 under-the-radar 2024 NFL draft prospects to watch in CFB Week 3

8 under-the-radar 2024 NFL draft prospects to watch in CFB Week 3, including some FCS standouts facing off against BCS foes

The third weekend of college football is one of the last to feature primarily non-conference games. It’s a good chance to check out some 2024 NFL draft prospects who might not have the national exposure, or players from smaller schools who get an opportunity to show what they can do against major programs.

Here are eight 2024 NFL draft prospects who are under the radar to watch this weekend.