(2023) Dylan Horton-EDGE/DE-TCU

Dylan Horton

EDGE

6’4, 275

Senior

Strengths	Weaknesses
Fantastic Quickness and Speed Explosive Off the Line, Tremendous First Step Fluid Mover, Especially in Space Violent and Secure Tackler High Effort in Pursuit Great Run Diagnosis	Can Struggle to Shed Run Blocks Lack of Counter Moves Inconsistent Against Interior Blockers Lack of Production as an Outside Rusher

2022 Statistics (Per PFF)

*(Ranking is out of the 241 EDGE/LB with 200+ pass rush snaps this season)

2022 Statistic	Total	Ranking *	Rank Percentile
Pressures	48	T-22nd	Top 9%
Sacks	10	T-14th	Top 6%
Hurries	35	T-11th	Top 5%
Pass Rush Win Rate	14.5%	T-103rd	Top 43%
QB Hits	3	T-162nd	Bottom 33%
Tackles	37	N/A	N/A
Missed Tackle %	10.4%	N/A	N/A

Write-Up:

Dylan Horton is an intriguing defensive end prospect who played his last 3 collegiate seasons at TCU. Horton began his career at New Mexico, where he struggled production-wise in a limited role. In 2020, he transferred to TCU and once again found himself in a rotational role. However, he became much more of a starter in 2021, and though his production was lacking, he began to develop his game much more. In 2022, the TCU defense underwent a major scheme change, and Horton found himself playing more towards the interior. Though I don’t believe this is his best position long-term, Horton finally broke out with an extremely productive season, and was a leader on a defense that would end up going to the National Championship Game.

Beginning with Horton’s strengths, his overall speed and quickness jump out right away, especially with some of his 2021 film. He possesses an elite first step and has an explosive get off that puts blockers immediately under pressure. He has great footwork and is an outstanding mover in space. Horton is almost always moving fluidly and uses long and powerful strides to get to his destination, rather than choppy, short bursts. His run diagnosis is solid and he almost always knows where he needs to be to fill his run gap. Horton takes great tackling angles, and is one of the more secure tacklers from this year’s edge class. When he has the opportunity to, Horton loves to deliver huge, violent (but generally safe) hits.

On the downside, Horton can sometimes struggle to shed blockers, especially in the run game. He can get stuck early in a rep, and lacks the counter moves to free himself. This is especially true against stronger and more sturdy blockers on the interior of the line. Horton does not really have the bendiness to slip between blockers, but too often stays engaged with his man.

Horton’s tape makes for a strange evaluation. His 2021 film is exciting to watch, but the production was just not there. In 2022, his move to the interior seemed to have hurt him on a down-to-down basis, but the production skyrocketed. Overall, I believe that Horton should be used as an outside pass rusher to better utilize his speed and burst rather than forcing him into a more power-dominant position.

Draft Projection:  Late Round 3-4