Seattle Seahawks Draft Grades
The 2025 NFL draft is complete, and the Seahawks selected eleven players. With a clear strategy, they focused on improving the offensive line and adding versatile players with high potential. They executed this plan effectively. I'll review each selection in this article, share my thoughts on whether the pick was a good choice, and discuss how these players might contribute to the Seahawks this season.
Round 1, Pick No. 18: Grey Zabel, IOL, North Dakota St.
The Seahawks' selection of Grey Zabel may not have been the flashiest move, but it was the right one. Last season, their offensive line was among the worst in the NFL, mainly due to poor performance on the interior. After failing to upgrade the position in free agency, the Seahawks had to turn to the draft. Zabel, widely considered the top interior offensive lineman available, was a logical choice. His skill set fits perfectly with the zone-blocking scheme the new offensive coordinator, Klint Kubiak, plans to implement. Given the team's current needs, Zabel will likely start at guard from day one and could become the long-term cornerstone the Seahawks' offensive line has lacked for years
Grade: A
Round 2, Pick No. 35: Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina
The Seahawks made no effort to hide their interest in Nick Emmanwori throughout the draft process, so much so that many, myself included, wouldn't have been surprised if they had taken him at pick 18. Instead, they managed to land him at 35, which is an absolute steal. To move up 15 spots and secure Emmanwori, Seattle gave up a third-round pick, but considering the value, it was well worth the price. Projected by many as a first-round talent, Emmanwori likely slipped into the second round simply because safety isn't a premium position in today's draft landscape. Still, landing a first-round caliber player at any position in the second round is a major win. At 6'3" and 220 pounds, Emmanwori turned heads at the NFL Combine with a blazing 4.38-second 40-yard dash. While his game still needs some refinement, his physical tools and versatility make him a perfect fit for Mike Macdonald's defensive scheme. Considering the value, fit, and upside, this may be the Seahawks' best pick of the draft.
Grade: A+
Round 2, Pick No. 50: Elijah Arroyo, TE, Miami
In this year's draft, the Seahawks made it clear that they were focused on upgrading the tight end position, and Elijah Arroyo may offer the highest upside among the available prospects. Although injuries limited his production at Miami, raising some concerns, Arroyo's elite athleticism is undeniable. His combination of size and speed makes him a mismatch nightmare for defenses, a role the Seahawks had hoped Noah Fant would fill. However, Fant has managed just one touchdown over the past two seasons. Now, the team is counting on Arroyo and AJ Barnes to solidify the tight-end position moving forward, and that is a reasonable bet.
Grade: A-
Round 3, Pick No. 92: Jalen Milroe, QB, Alabama
This is easily the most talked-about pick among the Seahawks' draft selections. After trading starting quarterback Geno Smith, the team used that acquired pick to draft another QB, Jalen Milroe. Seattle had been closely linked to Milroe throughout the draft process, to the point where it seemed possible they might take him as high as 18th overall. Instead, they waited and landed him at pick 92, a move that could prove to be a steal. Milroe is an intriguing prospect with all the physical traits teams covet in a quarterback: elite athleticism, a powerful arm, and dynamic running ability. What held him back from being a first-rounder were concerns about his accuracy and decision-making, issues that are coachable with time and development. Fortunately, time is precisely what he'll have. With Sam Darnold and Drew Lock likely ahead of him on the depth chart for the next two seasons, Milroe can refine his skills without immediate pressure. This pick may take a while to pay dividends, but Milroe has all the tools to become Seattle's franchise quarterback.
Grade: B+
Round 5, Pick No. 142: Rylie Mills, DE, Notre Dame
Rylie Mills is a player who likely would've been drafted much earlier if not for a torn ACL suffered during last season's college football championship. Although the injury will probably sideline him for most of his rookie year, Mills still has the potential to be a valuable contributor for the Seahawks. Mills brings versatility at 6'5" and 296 pounds, having played both defensive end and tackle in college, which the Seahawks highly value. He was also a productive pass rusher, recording 17 sacks over 61 games, including 7.5 in just 13 games last season before the injury. Once fully healthy, Mills should become a key part of Seattle's defensive line rotation, with the potential to grow into a starting role down the line.
Grade: B+
Round 5, Pick No. 166: Tory Holton, WR, Colorado St.
Having seen Tory Holton play in person, I can confidently say he's a talented player with real potential. The Seahawks revamped their wide receiver room this offseason, parting ways with longtime stars DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett and bringing in veterans Cooper Kupp and Marquez Valdes-Scantling. However, both newcomers are over 30 and are not long-term solutions. Holton missed most of last season due to a torn ACL, playing in just three games. But before the injury, he posted back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons at Colorado State. If he's lost a step due to the injury, it hasn't shown; he clocked an impressive 4.41 in the 40-yard dash. At 6'3" and 196 pounds, with speed, reliable hands, and solid route-running ability, Holton has all the traits to become the Seahawks' long-term Z receiver.
Grade: A-
Round 5, Pick No. 175: Robbie Ouzts, FB, Alabama
Every year, the Seahawks make at least one draft pick that leaves people scratching their heads, and this year, that pick is Ouzts. The team showed clear interest in him throughout the draft process, which makes sense given offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak's consistent use of a fullback in his schemes, but spending a fifth-round pick on a position most teams no longer use feels like a waste. That said, Ouzts is a strong fit for the Seahawks' offense. He's an excellent blocker and brings added value on special teams. The issue isn't his talent but rather the timing—Seattle had more pressing needs, and they likely could have waited until the sixth or seventh round to select him.
Grade: C
Round 6, Pick No. 192: Bryce Cabeldue, OT, Kansas
After four rounds of avoiding the issue, the Seahawks finally turned their attention back to the offensive line. Cabeldue, who played tackle at Kansas, will likely shift inside at the NFL level due to his leaner build and shorter arms. Listed at 6'4" and 308 pounds, he impressed during the pre-draft process, earning "elite" marks in explosion and speed and a "great" grade for agility on the Relative Athletic Score scale. Cabeldue's quick feet, solid hand technique, and strong competitive edge stand out on tape. Considering the current state of Seattle's offensive line, it wouldn't be a surprise to see him push for a starting role as a rookie.
Grade: B
Round 7, Pick No. 233: Damien Martinez, RB, Miami
The Seahawks landed a major steal at the top of the seventh round by drafting Damien Martinez, a player many projected to go as early as the fourth or fifth round. Martinez is a powerful, downhill runner who thrives on contact and excels between the tackles. He was one of the top tackle-breakers in the country last season, using his size and physicality to wear down defenses. With the Seahawks committed to a run-heavy offense this year, Martinez should see immediate playing time. His presence provides valuable insurance as star running back Kenneth Walker III approaches free agency and has struggled with injuries.
Grade: A
Round 7, Pick No. 234: Mason Richman, OT, Iowa
The Seahawks continued to address the offensive line by selecting tackle Mason Richman. A dependable and durable player at Iowa, Richman showed solid ability in pass protection and run blocking. He's a strong scheme fit for Klint Kubiak's offense, thanks to his quick get-off and mobility in space. However, Richman's lack of elite athleticism could be a concern at the next level, where defenders are faster and more powerful. He'll need to compete hard to earn a roster spot and will most likely serve as a depth piece. Still, given his consistency and fit within the system, this was a solid pick.
Grade: C+
Round 7, Pick No. 238: Ricky White III, WR, UNLV
The Seahawks wrapped up their draft by selecting another Mountain West wide receiver, Ricky White III from UNLV. White was projected to go a round or two earlier, but his slide was likely due to underwhelming athletic testing. Despite average measurables, White was a highly productive player at UNLV, racking up over 2,500 receiving yards and 19 touchdowns across the 2023 and 2024 seasons. He'll likely need to add some bulk to handle the physicality of the NFL, but his polished route running and potential on special teams give him a legitimate shot at making the roster. If he continues to develop, he could emerge as one of the Seahawks' top backup receivers.
Grade: B
Given the significant changes the Seahawks underwent this year, they needed a strong draft, and they delivered. While the selections of Ouzts and Richman may have slightly lowered the overall impact, the team still managed to find excellent value and address multiple key needs. Overall, I'd give the Seahawks' draft a solid B+. They also put together an impressive undrafted free agent class, signing several players with draft-worthy résumés who could make meaningful contributions. While the Seahawks may not be contenders this season, they've laid a strong foundation for the future, and the team appears to be moving in the right direction.
Go Hawks!
