Amon-Ra St. Brown has firmly established himself as a top-tier target in Detroit’s offense, consistently producing 1,000-yard seasons. However, a new draft projection suggests the Lions could bolster their receiving unit by adding another 1,000-yard pass catcher to line up alongside him.
According to Pro Football Focus analyst Mason Cameron, Detroit could turn to a familiar name from within the state—Colorado State’s Tory Horton. Originally from Fresno, Horton has recorded two 1,000-yard campaigns during his college career and could offer immediate impact despite facing setbacks.
Although Horton missed the 2024 season due to a severe injury, Cameron believes his skill set and mindset are a perfect match for head coach Dan Campbell’s gritty culture in Detroit.
“Horton could provide a much-needed boost to Detroit’s receiving depth,” Cameron noted. “He may not blow you away with raw speed, but he’s technically sound and excels at creating separation, as shown by his elite metrics in yards per route and separation percentage over the past two seasons.”
Before the injury, Horton put together an impressive college résumé. One of his standout moments came in a high-stakes game against Colorado, where he reeled in 16 receptions for 133 yards and a score, even with Deion Sanders and Travis Hunter watching from the opposing sideline. It marked his career-high in receptions.
Horton also made headlines against Boise State, hauling in 10 catches for 130 yards—including a game-winning 33-yard touchdown as time expired. Boise State would later go on to claim the Mountain West championship.
Despite his shortened 2024 campaign, where he managed 26 receptions for 353 yards and a single touchdown, Horton remained a polished route runner with great footwork and awareness.
The Lions appear poised to enhance their wide receiver corps to take pressure off St. Brown. With Horton’s upside and ability to stretch the field, Detroit might have found a hidden gem to complement their Pro Bowl star.
