NFL Draft Grades - Seattle Seahawks


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Seattle Seahawks Upcoming 2025 Draft Picks (11)

2025 Pick 18. (R:1 P:18) - Grey Zabel, OT, North Dakota State
Grade: A
Like the Bengals, the Seahawks wanted to trade out. They couldn’t do so, but it’s probably for the best because it forced them to draft a talented offensive lineman to protect Sam Darnold. Grey Zabel was awesome at the Senior Bowl, and he can play every position. The Seahawks still need lots of help up front, but this was a nice start.

2025 Pick 35. (R:2 P:3) - Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina
Grade: A+
When I heard that the Seahawks traded up to No. 35, Nick Emmanwori’s name immediately popped into my head. This is such a great fit. Emmanwori is the type of defensive back the Seahawks love, and he fills a huge need. Plus, he’s arguably the best player available. If the Seahawks drafted Emmanwori at No. 18, I would have graded that favorably!

2025 Pick 50. (R:2 P:18) - Elijah Arroyo, TE, Miami
Grade: A
The Seahawks lost two receivers this offseason, but didn’t really find a replacement because Cooper Kupp is nearing the end of his career. They needed to find another pass-catcher for Sam Darnold. A tight end definitely qualifies, and Elijah Arroyo provides good value as a prospect who could have possibly gone at the end of the opening round.

2025 Pick 92. (R:3 P:28) - Jalen Milroe, QB, Alabama
Grade: B
Jalen Milroe over Shedeur Sanders is kind of insane. When Milroe was getting first-round buzz, I thought that would have been utterly awful. Milroe is a horrible passer right now, but he has upside and great mobility. He makes much more sense in the third round.

2025 Pick 142. (R:5 P:4) - Rylie Mills, DT, Notre Dame
Grade: C+
The Seahawks traded into this pick, but came away with an underwhelming selection. Rylie Mills has limitations for the NFL, and there are injury concerns on top of that. He had great production at Notre Dame, but there's not much upside.

2025 Pick 166. (R:5 P:28) - Tory Horton, WR, Colorado State
Grade: A-
The Seahawks lost two receivers this offseason and didn't really bring in anyone. Cooper Kupp was signed, but he's old and decrepit. Tory Horton is a tall and fast receiver who could have gone earlier than this. I like this pick.

2025 Pick 175. (R:5 P:37) - Robbie Ouzts, TE, Alabama
Grade: D
Robbie Ouzts is not someone I expected to be drafted. I don't know if anyone had him drafted either. He's a pure blocking tight end who offers almost nothing as a receiver.

2025 Pick 192. (R:6 P:16) - Bryce Cabeldue, G, Kansas
Grade: A
Bryce Cabeldue was a projected fourth- or fifth-round pick, so the Seahawks are getting good value with him. They're also addressing an obvious need, given the troubles on the offensive line.

2025 Pick 223. (R:7 P:7) - Damien Martinez, RB, Miami
Grade: B+
The Seahawks didn't need a running back because they're loaded at the position, but they couldn't pass on this value. Damien Martinez easily could have gone in the fourth or fifth round.

2025 Pick 234. (R:7 P:18) - Mason Richman, OT, Iowa
Grade: B-
Mason Richman tested poorly in workouts and wasn't expected to be chosen in the 2025 NFL Draft. However, I can at least appreciate the Seahawks adding to their offensive line.

2025 Pick 238. (R:7 P:22) - Ricky White, WR, UNLV
Grade: B
Ricky White was viewed as a late-round prospect, so it makes sense for the Seahawks to draft him. He's a taller receiver, but his calling card was his great special teams play.




Walt's Mock Selections as of 4/25/2025 -View Current Mock Draft



Round: 1

NFL Team Logo for Seahawks Seattle Seahawks: Grey Zabel, OT, North Dakota State Image for NDS

The Seahawks have severe problems on their offensive line - they arguably have the worst blocking unit in the NFC - so it makes sense to draft someone who can play multiple positions, especially if they want to get the most out of their $100 million investment. Grey Zabel is a versatile tackle-guard prospect for the NFL. He can also play center. He's currently listed at -1000 to go in the first round - to win $100, you'd have to bet $1,000 - so he'll be chosen earlier than most expect. *** OTHER 2025 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: *** 1. Tyler Warren, TEs - The Seahawks have traded D.K. Metcalf - check here for the NFL Trade Grades page - and cut Tyler Lockett, so they have nothing at receiver outside of Jaxon Smith-Njigba and an aging Cooper Kupp. This might mean that they'll draft Tyler Warren to give Sam Darnold a great threat over the midfield. 2. Matthew Golden/Tetairoa McMillan, WR - Cooper Kupp is obviously not a long-term solution as a complement to Jaxon Smith-Njigba.

Round: 2

NFL Team Logo for Seahawks Seattle Seahawks: Elijah Arroyo, TE, Miami Image for MIA

The Seahawks lost DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett, and didn't get a viable replacement unless you want to count a decrepit Cooper Kupp. A tight end is an option. Elijah Arroyo recovered well off a torn ACL. He has great size, quickness and athleticism, and he's a terrific route runner. Pick change; previously Mike Green, DE

Round: 2

NFL Team Logo for Seahawks Seattle Seahawks: Jared Wilson, C, Georgia Image for UGA

As mentioned in the first round, the Seahawks had one of the weakest interior offensive lines in the NFL last year. Things got worse when Connor Williams retired. Jared Wilson's run blocking is ahead of his pass protection. Pick change; previously Tyleik Williams, DT

Round: 3

NFL Team Logo for Seahawks Seattle Seahawks: Emery Jones Jr., OT, LSU Image for LSU

The Seahawks need to protect their $100 million investment in Sam Darnold, so here's another offensive lineman. Emery Jones is a talented tackle with a basketball background. He has impressive athleticism to play left tackle in the NFL. Pick change; previously Quinn Ewers, QB

Round: 3

NFL Team Logo for Seahawks Seattle Seahawks: Ty Robinson, DT, Nebraska Image for NU

The Seahawks will be looking for some defensive line help in the middle rounds. Ty Robinson is a grinder who plays very tough, but is limited in talent. Pick change; previously Tez Johnson, WR

Round: 4

NFL Team Logo for Seahawks Seattle Seahawks: Zah Frazier, CB, Texas-San Antonio Image for UTSA

It's about that time for the Seahawks to draft a cornerback. They need a third one to go along with Devon Witherspoon and Riq Woolen. Zah Frazier was one of the fastest cornerbacks at the combine. Pick change; previously Nohl Williams, CB

Round: 5

NFL Team Logo for Seahawks Seattle Seahawks: R.J. Mickens, S, Clemson Image for Clemson

The Seahawks need some safety help. They could address the position much earlier than this.

Round: 5

NFL Team Logo for Seahawks Seattle Seahawks: Dillon Gabriel, QB, Oregon Image for ORE

The Seahawks are expcted to draft a quarterback at some point. Dillon Gabriel was incredibly productive at Oregon, but is very undersized.

Round: 7

NFL Team Logo for Seahawks Seattle Seahawks: Bryce Cabeldue, G, Kansas Image for KU

The Seahawks need plenty of help on the offensive line.

Round: 7

NFL Team Logo for Seahawks Seattle Seahawks: Jackson Slater, G, Sacramento State Image for

Here's another offensive lineman for the Seahawks, who need to do everything in their power to fix their poor blocking.




Past Grades and Selections


2024 NFL Draft Selections and Grades

2024 Pick 16. (R:1 P:16) - Byron Murphy II, DT, Texas
A+ Another A+ defensive grade. You have to love the value. The Bears could have drafted Byron Murphy at No. 9, and there wouldn't have been any complaints. The Vikings loved Murphy enough to take him at 11 if they didn't need a quarterback so badly. Murphy is an immense talent, and the Seahawks are definitely upgrading their defensive line, which is something they've needed to do for a while.

2024 Pick 81. (R:3 P:17) - Christian Haynes, G, Connecticut
A- No one should be surprised that the Seahawks are addressing the interior of the offensive line, given that they lost all three starters from last year. Christian Haynes fits the range here in the middle of the third round, and he fills a big need. There are some size limitations with him, but he's a tough player.

2024 Pick 118. (R:4 P:18) - Tyrice Knight, LB, UTEP
B+ The Seahawks lost so many linebackers this offseason, so it's not a surprise to see them address the position with this pick. Tyrice Knight was a very productive player out of UTEP,a and he's considered by some as a mid-round sleeper.

2024 Pick 121. (R:4 P:21) - A.J. Barner, TE, Michigan
B The Seahawks lost a couple of tight ends this offseason, as two of them inexplicably signed gargantuan contracts elsewhere. Here's a cheap replacement. A.J. Barner makes sense as a fourth-round prospect as a solid Y-tight end prospect for the NFL.

2024 Pick 136. (R:5 P:1) - Nehemiah Pritchett, CB, Auburn
A+ Is this the next great Seahawks cornerback to be chosen in the middle rounds? I love the value, as Nehemiah Pritchett easily could have gone in the third round, and maybe even the second. Pritchett can cover tall receivers well, so he fits here for the Seahawks. If you haven't visited the site in a while, you may have noticed the new look. Yes, after nearly two decades, we've finally re-designed our site to be more modern. This was not done on a whim, but rather out of necessity because of what occurred during the 2023 NFL Draft. Our site crashed during the entire first day of the draft, which was disastrous for our revenue stream because we make more money during the draft than any other time. The site crashed because a line of code conflicted with the old format of the site, so we had to transition to this new look. Because we lost so much money during the draft, I want to point out that you can really help support the site by paying for the ad-free version of it at the top. It's $7.99 per month, but you'll get a super-fast site with no ads. If you don't want to pay, please spread the word about the site through word of mouth. That would also be a big help! Follow @walterfootball for updates. Also, if you'd like to support the site, check out my book! It's available on Amazon, and it's called A Safety and a Field Goal. Take a look: A Safety and a Field Goal You can buy it here. It has some NFL Draft-related topics, so like I said, if you want to support the site, this is a great way to do it!

2024 Pick 179. (R:6 P:3) - Sataoa Laumea, OT, Utah
B+ Sataoa Laumea spent most of his time at tackle while playing for Utah, but he may have to move to guard in the NFL. This is fine for the Seahawks, who lost several interior blockers in free agency. We had Laumea in the fifth round, so this is a decent value.

2024 Pick 192. (R:6 P:16) - D.J. James, CB, Auburn
B- D.J. James is known for a blown coverage against Alabama that resulted in a loss. He makes sense in this range though, so perhaps he can redeem himself in Seattle. The Seahawks do know what they're doing with cornerbacks.

2024 Pick 235. (R:7 P:15) - Devaughn Vele, WR, Utah
B The Broncos have receiver depth issues, so addressing this position makes sense. Devaughn Vele is a huge receiver, but there are some separation question marks.


2023 NFL Draft Selections and Grades

2023 Pick 5. (R:1 P:5) - Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois
D Uhh, what? Did the Seahawks forget that they're experts at drafting cornerbacks in the middle and late rounds? Did they also fail to remember that they have a talented No. 1 cornerback? Seattle really needed to improve its pass rush. Picking Witherspoon here over Jalen Carter seems ridiculous.

2023 Pick 20. (R:1 P:20) - Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State
A+ How in the world did Jaxon Smith-Njigba drop to Seattle? I understand the Seahawks have D.K. Metcalf and Tyler Lockett, but the latter is in his 30s and won't be on the roster much longer. Besides, Seattle needed a better third receiver in the short term. This is a tremendous pick.

2023 Pick 37. (R:2 P:6) - Derick Hall, OLB, Auburn
C+ Derick Hall doesn't have great athleticism and upside, so I thought he should have been slated in the third round. I don't think this is terrible value, however, and Hall fills a big need for a team that couldn't get to the quarterback last year.

2023 Pick 52. (R:2 P:21) - Zach Charbonnet, RB, UCLA
D I don't understand this pick. Kenneth Walker had a tremendous rookie year, so a running back was one of the last things the Seahawks needed. I like Zach Charbonnet as a receiving back, but the Seahawks pretty much wasted this selection.

2023 Pick 83. (R:3 P:20) - Riley Moss, CB, Iowa
C- The Broncos needed a cornerback, but this is too early for Riley Moss. The Iowa prospect has some speed concerns and a checkered injury history, so I thought he would be chosen around the fifth-round range.

2023 Pick 123. (R:4 P:21) - Cameron Young, DT, Mississippi State
B The Seahawks were terrible against the run last year, so they needed to make a pick like this. Cameron Young will help them stuff the rush. He makes sense in the middle of the fourth round.

2023 Pick 151. (R:5 P:16) - Mike Morris, DE, Michigan
A- Mike Morris isn't a high-upside player, but is a powerful end who can stuff the run and get to the quarterback. He should have been chosen earlier than this, so I love the pick.

2023 Pick 154. (R:5 P:19) - Olusegun Oluwatimi, C, Michigan
A Olusegun Oluwatimi is a solid center prospect and I thought he would be chosen earlier than this, perhaps late third or early fourth. The Seahawks needed a center, and they're getting great value.

2023 Pick 198. (R:6 P:21) - Jerrick Reed, S, New Mexico
B+ A safety makes sense for the Seahawks, especially one whom I had in the fifth round. Jerrick Reed is a good athlete, but size limitations dropped him. He's still a good pick here in the sixth frame.

2023 Pick 237. (R:7 P:20) - Kenny McIntosh, RB, Georgia
A- Another running back? This would be much better if the Seahawks didn't waste a much earlier pick. Kenny McIntosh is a great receiver out of the backfield, and I thought he would go way earlier than this


2022 NFL Draft Selections and Grades

2022 Pick 9. (R:1 P:9) - Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State
A- Grade
I would've preferred Jermaine Johnson, but Charles Cross is an excellent pick as well. The Seahawks have needed to spend a premium pick on an offensive line for quite some time, and they've finally done so. It's funny that it finally happens when Russell Wilson is gone, but Seattle needs better blocking without Wilson's mobility.


2022 Pick 40. (R:2 P:8) - Boye Mafe, DE, Minnesota
B Grade
Teams were torn on Boye Mafe. Some believed he would go in the first round, while others thought he was a vanilla day-two left end. It looks like Mafe fell somewhere in between. I imagine he'll help the Seahawks' horrible pass rush, which sorely needed to be upgraded.


2022 Pick 41. (R:2 P:9) - Kenneth Walker, RB, Michigan State
B+ Grade
I'm torn on this pick. I love Kenneth Walker, as his balance and run-after-contract ability is off the charts. He's my top running back. However, the Seahawks could've addressed their huge hole at quarterback and failed to do so with their two selections. They could have taken another running back later on Day 2. Still, I don't hate this pick because Walker was one of my favorite players in this range.


2022 Pick 72. (R:3 P:8) - Abraham Lucas, OT, Washington State
B Grade
Wow, still no quarterback? This Drew Lock versus Geno Smith camp battle is going to be lit. The Seahawks will at least be able to protect for Lock or Smith with Charles Cross and now Abraham Lucas. The Washington State product is very athletic and fits what the Seahawks look for in blocking prospects. I like the fit, but come on, this had to be Malik Willis.


2022 Pick 109. (R:4 P:4) - Coby Bryant, CB, Cincinnati
B Grade
Coby Bryant is a solid prospect I had in the fourth round for most of my mock draft updates, so I like this range for him. He also fills a need the Seahawks had at cornerback. I just wonder why Seattle hasn't addressed quarterback yet. The team has no chance with Geno Smith or Drew Lock.


2022 Pick 153. (R:5 P:10) - Tariq Woolen, CB, Texas-San Antonio
A+ Grade
This is a classic fifth-round cornerback pick by the Seahawks. Tariq Woolen is tall and athletic like other corners Seattle has drafted. Woolen would've been taken much earlier if it weren't for health worries, but this is incredible value that fills a need. I love this selection.


2022 Pick 158. (R:5 P:15) - Tyreke Smith, DE, Ohio State
B+ Grade
The Seahawks entered the draft desperately needing to upgrade their horrible pass rush. Tyreke Smith, joining Boye Mafe, should help make that happen. Smith was someone I expected to be drafted in this range, so I like this pick.


2022 Pick 230. (R:7 P:9) - Chris Paul, G, Tulsa
B Grade
I mocked Chris Paul eight picks after this one, so I like the range for this prospect. Adding offensive line help makes sense as well, given that the Redskins currently don't have a great blocking unit to shield Carson Wentz or Sam Howell.



2021 NFL Draft Selections and Grades

2021 Pick 56. (R:2 P:24) - D'Wayne Eskridge, WR, Western Michigan
F Grade
There are so many reasons to hate this pick. First of all, it's a shock that the Seahawks didn't trade down because they had just three selections in this draft. Second, Russell Wilson complained about offensive line help, yet Seattle didn't address it. Third, Dwayne Eskridge was someone I've had in the third or fourth rounds. And fourth, this doesn't fill a need at all.


2021 Pick 129. (R:4 P:24) - Jaelon Darden, WR, North Texas
A- Grade
There was a stretch last year when the Buccaneers lost some games because they didn't have any healthy receivers. They're making sure that doesn't happen again. Jaelon Darden is a legitimate sleeper. He'll be able to see more of the field in 2022 when the Buccaneers inevitably move on from Antonio Brown.


2021 Seattle Seahawks - Prospect:TBD