The Seattle Seahawks chose not to go with a wide receiver in the first few rounds of the 2025 NFL draft. Instead, the team decided to select for need first, grab a potentially high-end safety second, and then choose the best fit after that.
Oh, and the team took a chance on quarterback Jalen Milroe as well. He was a third-round pick, just like Russell Wilson was in 2012. Maybe that will turn out the same way it did in Wilson's early years.
Still, Seattle saw a lot of turnover in its wide receiver room this offseason. Fan-favorite Tyler Lockett was released. Productive DK Metcalf was traded. To replace them, Seattle signed Cooper Kupp and Marques Valdez-Scantling. Both should be good fits in new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak's offense, but both are over 30.
Tory Horton could be the Seahawks biggest steal of the 2025 NFL Draft
Whether it was this year or next year's draft, Seattle was going to have to find a presumably high-end wide receiver in the early rounds to pair with Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Since that didn't happen in 2025, the Seahawks need to take a WR in the first or second round in 2026.
Or do they?
The Seahawks chose Tory Horton in the fifth round this year. Seattle also took Ricky White III in the seventh round. White projects to be more of a good special teamer. Horton might turn out to be one of the steals of the draft.
Horton is 6'3" but not yet 200 pounds. He needs to gain mass and muscle to withstand the punishment of playing against professional defensive backs. But he has the lengthy frame to do that. He likely won't be immediately impactful, but few wide receiver rookies are. By 2026, Horton could turn out to be Seattle's WR2.
He is fast and has been timed in the 40-yard dash at 4.41. That is plenty speedy enough for a receiver of his height. He suffered a knee injury last season, which caused him to miss a lot of time. He is expected to be at full health by training camp.
He was very productive in his two seasons before his banged-up 2024. In 2023, he had 96 catches for 1,144 yards. He had eight touchdown receptions. He had another eight TDs in 2022 when he had 1,131 yards receiving. In 172 targets in 2023 and 2024 combined, he had just five drops.
By 2026, MVS might not be with the team anymore, and Kupp could be the Seahawks' WR3. JSN will be WR1, but Horton could surprise many and become a very good WR2. If that happens, Seattle is going to have its top two receiving duo for most of the next decade.
