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Marquez Valdes-Scantling walks onto the field before a Buffalo Bills game.
Heading into training camp, it appeared as if Seattle Seahawks veteran Marquez Valdes-Scantling was headed for a significant role in the offense — but that dynamic could be shifting thanks to the unexpected performance from a rookie pass-catcher.
Fifth-round pick Tory Horton has been rising up the depth chart in practice, with many insiders believing he has surpassed Valdes-Scantling. SI.com’s Connor Benintendi believes that while Valdes-Scantling is still safely on the roster, he could end up fighting for targets.
Tory Horton Continues to Impress
Benintendi made an early prediction of the team’s final 53-man roster, putting Horton in the No. 3 receiver spot. Benintendi noted that Horton flashed some versatility as both a receiver and return specialist, helping his standing with the team.
“This version of Seattle’s offense reflects the meteoric rise of Tory Horton, who slots in as Seattle’s third wide receiver ahead of Marquez Valdes-Scantling,” Benintendi wrote. “He also handles kick and punt return duties alongside Cody White or George Holani. Horton has been the most impressive unproven pass-catcher we’ve seen this offseason, and this represents that.”
John Boyle, a reporter for the team’s official website, also noted Horton’s fast rise in training camp and the first two preseason games but held back on suggesting he had passed Valdes-Scantling just yet. Boyle noted that special teams could ultimately be a deciding factor on the final depth chart.
“Beyond the top two of Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Cooper Kupp, nothing is set in stone at receiver, though rookie Tory Horton is making a strong push for the No. 3 job, with veteran Marquez Valdes-Scantling also in the running for that job,” Boyle wrote. “Just about every receiver not named Kupp or Smith-Njigba will be expected to contribute on special teams if they’re going to be on the team, which is why when it comes to the final few spots at that position, special teams will be key.”
Valdes-Scantling is coming off an up-and-down season that started with the Buffalo Bills. The team struggled to find a role for him, with Valdes-Scantling making just two receptions for 26 yards in six appearances before he was released to make room for Amari Cooper.
Valdes-Scantling then joined the New Orleans Saints and found his groove, going on to make 17 receptions for 385 yards and four touchdowns in eight games.
Tory Horton’s Injury Scare
The Seahawks got a bit of a fright when Horton was taken out of Friday’s win over the Kansas City Chiefs with an injury. He was seen walking back to the locker room with trainers in the second half and did not return, but head coach Mike Macdonald eased fears after the game.
Macdonald told reporters that keeping Horton out of the rest of the came was a precautionary measure.
“Yeah, Tory got a little bit of ankle (injury),” Macdonald said. “He could’ve gone back in. We just shut him down. He wanted to go back in. That was my call.”
The Seahawks made some big changes to their offense after last season, trading away wide receiver DK Metcalf and quarterback Geno Smith.
Nathan Dougherty is a sports reporter covering the NFL for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Buffalo Bills, Detroit Lions and Miami Dolphins. Previously he wrote for the Rochester Business Journal and served as the assistant editor of athletic trade magazines Coaching Management, Athletic Management and Training & Conditioning. He is based out of Rochester, New York, and loves everything football. More about Nathan Dougherty
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