Seahawks Rookie Horton Excels in Preseason

Horton’s preseason performance fuels questions about the 49ers’ decision to pass on him.

Seahawks rookie Horton exposes 49ers draft misstep

Seattle opened the preseason with Tory Horton delivering a quick, concrete message. Horton led the Seahawks in targets and catches in the game, finishing with three receptions for 31 yards and a touchdown. He also contributed on a punt return, signaling he can impact multiple facets of the unit. After the game, Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald praised the rookie, noting the way he translated practice work into game moments.

Horton’s career arc helps explain the current chatter around drafts and fit. The Colorado State standout posted back to back 1,100-yard seasons before an injury shortened his final college year, a combination that pushed him to the fifth round. San Francisco picked Jordan Watkins instead, a choice now under fresh scrutiny as Seattle builds depth at wide receiver while dealing with injuries to Aiyuk and Jauan Jennings in camp. Horton’s early impact in Seattle adds a new thread to the conversation about how much teams should value college production versus physical traits and draft position.

This game illustrates how preseason sparks can sharpen the debate over scouting and decision making. Horton’s versatility and dependable hands challenge the assumption that size or straight-line speed decides NFL longevity. The 49ers passing on him in favor of a later-round alternative underscores the risk of drafting for need rather than projection, especially when injuries create ambiguous rosters at key spots.

Beyond the immediate chatter, the episode highlights a broader pattern in the league: late-round finds can reshape a team’s ceiling. Horton’s early looks remind clubs that production in college can translate to valuable role players in the NFL, even if the path to a starting job is long and uncertain. The real test, of course, arrives when the regular season begins and defenses tighten their schemes around a more complete game plan.

Highlights

As the season nears, Horton will be watched closely to see if the early spark holds.