Seattle Seahawks Draft Targets: Day 1
Tonight marks the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft, a pivotal moment for the Seattle Seahawks. The decisions made tonight could shape the team's success for years to come. In this article, I'll highlight the players I believe the Seahawks are most likely to target and what each could bring to the roster.
Grey Zabel, OL, North Dakota St.
The Seahawks' most pressing need heading into the draft is the offensive line, particularly the interior. Currently, they don't have any proven starting-caliber players in those positions. Among the offensive linemen available, the Seahawks have been most closely linked to Grey Zabel, and for good reason. Zabel fits the profile of the types of offensive linemen Seattle typically targets. He's versatile and able to play multiple positions along the line. At North Dakota State, Zabel played offensive tackle, but his shorter arms will likely limit him to interior roles in the NFL. However, his experience at tackle could be valuable in case of injury, particularly with the concerns surrounding Abe Lucas. Zabel's primary role in the NFL will likely be at guard or center, positions where the Seahawks have a clear need. Another key factor in Zabel's potential fit with Seattle is his compatibility with the team's zone-blocking scheme under new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak. His skill set aligns well with this system, which should ease his transition to the NFL and make him a candidate to start early in his career. Given his fit within the scheme and Seattle's need at the position, it wouldn't be surprising to see them select Zabel in the first round.
Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona
While the offensive line is the Seahawks' most pressing need, the front office knows the team must also address wide receiver. Multiple insiders have reported that Tetairoa McMillan is at the top of Seattle's draft wishlist, and it's easy to see why. With the trade of DK Metcalf, the Seahawks lack a long-term solution at outside receiver. Cooper Kupp is 31, and Marquez Valdez-Scantling is on a one-year deal. Standing 6'4", McMillan has the physical traits to become a top-tier outside receiver in the NFL. He has excellent hands and ball control and excels at making contested catches, a role Seattle currently doesn't have a proven player to fill. The biggest obstacle to the Seahawks selecting McMillan is the likelihood that he'll be drafted well before Seattle's pick at 18 overall. While the Seahawks aren't known for trading up in the draft, if McMillan is still available, all signs point to him being the selection.
Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina
Unsurprisingly, the Seahawks have been frequently linked to Nick Emmanwori—he's the perfect fit for their draft philosophy. Seattle has always preferred long, athletic, and physical defensive backs and Emmanwori embodies all these qualities. Emmanwori made a name for himself with a standout combine performance, posting a 4.38-second 40-yard dash, a 43-inch vertical, and an 11-foot-6 broad jump, all while standing 6'3" and weighing 220 pounds. These impressive numbers quickly grabbed the attention of the Seahawks' front office. But it's not just Emmanwori's athleticism that makes him a desirable pick—it's his playing style that mirrors the traits of Seahawks legends like Cam Chancellor and Earl Thomas. Like Chancellor, Emmanwori is a hard-hitting enforcer in the middle of the field who isn't afraid to punish opposing receivers. At the same time, he has ball skills and quick decision-making ability, which are hallmarks of Thomas's career. While safety isn't a high-priority position for the Seahawks and isn't an immediate need, Emmanwori's combination of physical traits and playing style might be too tempting to pass up. Don't be surprised if Seattle selects him, as his similarities to past defensive greats could make him an ideal fit.
A Quarterback
This might raise some eyebrows. The Seahawks signed Sam Darnold to a hefty deal this offseason and appear to see him as their quarterback for the foreseeable future, so why would they consider selecting another quarterback? General Manager John Schneider has expressed regret for not trading up in the 2018 draft to select Josh Allen, the reigning MVP and one of the league's top quarterbacks. Schneider admitted he intended to pursue Allen but was ultimately dissuaded by the fact that the team had just signed Russell Wilson to a massive contract. Just a few years later, Wilson was traded away. This lingering regret could influence Schneider's decision-making, making him hesitant to repeat the mistake of passing on a quarterback with top-tier potential. The Seahawks met with two quarterbacks during the pre-draft process: Tyler Shough and Jalen Milroe, with Milroe being the likelier pick. Milroe's playing style is reminiscent of Allen's—both are extraordinary athletes with incredible physical traits but have struggled with consistency in college and lack the polished skills many teams expect from a top quarterback prospect. Still, Allen's rise to become one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL might lead Seattle to wonder if Milroe could follow a similar path. While this scenario is unlikely, it's far from impossible.
As I am publishing this, the draft is getting ready to start, so we will soon find out if any of these predictions are right or if the Seahawks have some other plan hidden up their sleeves; either way, the importance of this draft can not be overstated, the Seahawks must have a good draft, or they risk falling into the football abyss.
Until next time,
Go Hawks:
