Seahawks' Tory Horton Excites NFL Fans as Potential Fantasy Football Draft Sleeper

The Tory Horton Hype Train is running full steam ahead after the Seattle Seahawks' rookie wide receiver caught three passes for 31 yards and a touchdown in the first half of his team's first preseason game of the year against the Las Vegas Raiders on Saturday.

The fifth-round pick out of Colorado State snagged a 10-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Drew Lock with 6:37 left in the first half to give Seattle a 13-3 lead.

Over a two-year period (2022 and 2023), the 6'2", 196-pound Horton caught 167 passes for 2,267 yards and 16 touchdowns. Unfortunately, a knee injury held Horton to just six games in 2024.

However, Horton is healthy and looks great for the Seahawks, and that's despite the aforementioned knee injury keeping him out for part of the 2025 offseason.

Head coach Mike Macdonald is a big fan, telling this to reporters Monday.

"I'm seeing the same thing you guys are," Macdonald said following a question on Horton. "A wise man, Steve Smith Sr., once said, 'Rookies need to make a play a day to make a name for themselves.' He's doing that. He's making multiple plays every day. So it is great for the Seahawks, great for him, and great competition in the receiver room. We are two weeks in, but let's keep it rolling."

His teammates notice what's going on. Per Seahawks.com senior reporter John Boyle, cornerback Riq Woolen yelled "Jerry Rice Jr.! Jerry Rice Jr.!" while Horton was speaking to reporters after Monday's practice.

He's also getting work with the first-teamers.

That should get the notice of fantasy football players.

Simply put, the Seahawks have a whole lot of production to replace after trading D.K. Metcalf (66 catches for 992 yards and five touchdowns on 108 targets) to the Pittsburgh Steelers and parting ways with Tyler Lockett (49/600/2 on 74 targets) and Noah Fant (48/500/1 on 64 targets). Those three were second through fourth in targets and catches last year behind WR1 Jaxon Smith-Njigba (100/1,130/6 on 137 targets).

Now, it's clear that former Los Angeles Rams standout Cooper Kupp, who is in town on a three-year deal after signing with the team in free agency, will be assuming a solid target share. He figures to be WR2 behind JSN, but the door appears open for Horton to get the nod as the team's third wideout.

At the very least, he's making all the right moves, and fans and analysts are impressed.

Horton will get his next chance to shine in preseason action on Friday, Aug. 15 at home against the Kansas City Chiefs.