From now until the 2023 NFL Draft takes place, we hope to scout and create profiles for as many prospects as possible, examining their strengths, weaknesses, and what they can bring to an NFL franchise. These players could be potential top 10 picks, all the way down to Day 3 selections and priority undrafted free agents. Today, I will be profiling TCU EDGE Dylan Horton.
#98 Dylan Horton, EDGE, TCU (rSR) — 6040, 257 lbs.
Combine/Pro Day
Measurements
| Player | Ht/Wt | Hand Size | Arm Length | Wingspan |
| Dylan Horton | 6’4”/257 | 9 1/2 | 33 1/8 | N/A |
| 40-Yard Dash | 10-Yard Dash | Short Shuttle | 3-Cone | |
| N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | |
| Broad Jump | Vertical | Bench Press | ||
| 10’0” | 34 | 18 |
The Good
— High motor, chases the ball well
— Solid pad level and good arm length
— Nice inside swim moves; potential with dip/rip, stab
— Solid acceleration and good speed
— Can set the edge; solid play strength
— Effort never wanes
— Good chase from the backside
The Bad
— Played out of position in college
— Snap quickness is inconsistent
— Hand placement/usage in pass rush is marginal
— Leaves chest open, negating power
— Power rushes ineffective
— Minimal 2 point stance and pass coverage experience
— Struggled to get off or over blocks
— Got out of position taking on pullers
Bio
— 2022: 51 tackles, 32 solo, 15 TFL, 10.5 sacks, 4 PBU, 1 FF
— Career: 146 tackles, 90 solo, 29 TFL, 18 sacks, 5 PBU, 1 FR, 2 FF
— 52 games, 23 starts
— Team Captain
— 2022 Honorable Mention All-Big 12
— Senior Bowl Invitee
— Member of Bruce Feldman’s 2022 College Football Freaks List
— Started career at New Mexico before transferring in 2020
— Played safety in high school
— In high school, played basketball, competed in long jump/high jump in track and field
— Had 4 sacks in playoffs against Michigan
— Birthday 8/21/2000 (age 22)
Tape Breakdown
Dylan Horton is an Edge prospect in this year’s draft. In TCU’s 3-3-5 defense however, he was tasked with playing with his hand in the dirt on the left side of the defensive line. He was used from the 2 technique through the 5 technique and rarely played on his feet.
Against the pass, as one of three down linemen he faced a lot of double teams when rushing the passer. Despite the odds against multiple blockers, he has a good motor and always shows the effort. He plays with solid pad level and has good arm length making him capable of battling tackles. His most effective pass rush was an inside swim move starting outside before crossing the lineman’s face. A dip and rip and stab/long arm also show some success. When he can’t get to the quarterback, he gets his hands up in throwing lands. He has solid acceleration and good speed to chase out of the pocket.
He has good effort and acceleration to chase down quarterbacks.
Facing more than one blocker happened a lot for him.
These back-to-back hustle plays kept Michigan out of the endzone early in the game.
Vs Michigan, this was a nice dip inside the right guard to get the sack.
Against the run, he has solid pad level and hand placement and has the strength to set the edge and was solid shedding tight ends. He puts in the effort to get around blocks and into the backfield. From the backside, he displays good acceleration and quickness to chase down the ball carrier. In one gap scenarios, he displayed solid quickness when trying to shoot gaps.
He can use strength to move the blocker back when singled up or shed on the edge to make plays.
His snap quickness is inconsistent with most of the time being just adequate. He is marginal with his hands when rushing the passer. His placement is adequate and lacks a solid punch leaving his chest open allowing blockers to steer him away from the play. Overall, his pass rush plan was limited however there may be more variety if used on the edge. When attempting power rushes, he was ineffective getting a push into the pocket. I saw three snaps in four games with him in two point stance and just one dropping into Zone coverage.
Trying to use a power rush against the right guard and he gets minimal push.
When trying to two gap from an interior defensive line spot he tends to drift inside opening the outside gap. He displayed adequate awareness on pulling blockers. His play strength was adequate playing inside and was marginal getting off blocks. When engaged he was just adequate locating the ball early in the play. Versus blocks from his inside, he was marginal getting over the top of them to the ball.
Here he follows the tackle inside, doesn’t recognize the puller quickly enough and allows the runner outside.
On the first play he leaves his chest open and gets turned out of the play. On the second play, he is slow at the snap and the tight end is able to move him backward.
Conclusion
Horton has good size and length to play on the edge at the NFL level. His motor runs hot and he plays with solid pad level against the pass. He was most effective with an inside swim move and has potential to use more moves lined up outside. When chasing the ball he displays good acceleration and speed. Against the run, he has solid quickness to one gap and the play strength to set the edge.
Areas to improve include having more consistent snap quickness as well as hand placement when rushing the passer. Developing his pass rush plan and working on power rushes will be helpful. Consistency attempting to get off blocks and locating the ball more quickly will help him against the run.
Overall, Horton had to play out of position in college and moving out to the edge will benefit his game. I think he has scheme versatility and adding some strength especially to his lower half would help in the long run. I feel he would best fit is in an even front as a weak side defensive end. For a comp, I’ll go with Detroit Lion Austin Bryant. Coming out he had pass rush potential, had good motor and good traits to develop but needed improvement against the run.
Projection: Mid-Day Three
Depot Draft Grade: 6.6 Backup/Special Teamer (Sixth Round)
Games Watched: 2022 – Vs Oklahoma, At West Virginia, Vs Kansas State, Vs Michigan
