Seahawks 2025 draft pick could become useful weapon thanks to baseball history

The Seattle Seahawks will look considerably different in 2025 than they did in 2024. 

For starters, the team replaced starting quarterback Geno Smith with Sam Darnold. The team also parted ways with 10-year veteran wide receiver Tyler Lockett and then traded fellow receiver D.K. Metcalf to the Pittsburgh Steelers. 

To replace the production of Lockett and Metcalf, the team brought in Cooper Kupp and Marquez Valdes-Scantling in free agency.

In the 2025 NFL draft, the team continued to add at receiver, selecting Colorado State's Tory Horton in the fifth round and UNLV's Ricky White III in the seventh. 

Horton, in particular, could be a valuable weapon for the Seahawks. The receiver dominated in the Mountain West for both Nevada and Colorado State, ending his college career with 3,615 receiving yards and 27 touchdowns. 

However, Horton suffered a season-ending knee injury last October, which affected his draft stock. Unfortunately for Horton, he also finished just 35 yards shy of the Mountain West all-time receiving record.

Still, Horton quieted any doubters with an impressive combine performance in Indianapolis. The wide receiver ran a faster 40-yard dash time than several receivers who were drafted before him. 

Now, Horton will have a chance to prove himself on a team that certainly needs another pass-catcher to step up, but the rookie's first contribution could come in the return game.

In college, Horton was one of the best punt returners in the FBS, ending his career with three punt return touchdowns. The Seahawks were among the worst punt returning teams in the league in 2024, so Horton could inject some life into that area. 

Speaking with Seattle media, Horton credited his prior baseball experience with helping him as a returner. 

"It was a little new to me, but you know, with my baseball history, I kind of got tracking the ball down," explained the rookie. "So, I'm excited to get back there and return some punts, whatever I can do to try and help the team win." 

A reporter asked Horton if he was an outfielder in baseball, which is definitely comparable to being a punt returner. 

"Yeah, I was in the field," said Horton. "I still got a little pitching to do, too, but yeah, center field." 

NFL teams typically like players with experience in multiple sports, as the skills often translate. 

Assuming he's healthy, Horton should be in firm contention for the punt return job in Seattle. Steven Sims, a veteran special-teamer, is also expected to be in the running. 

MORE SEATTLE SEAHAWKS NEWS

Seahawks labeled the biggest NFC West loser over Rams, 49ers, Cardinals

Is Sam Darnold already on thin ice with Seahawks before taking first snap in Seattle?

Seahawks' Jalen Milroe will utilize same training approach as Jayden Daniels