The 2025 NFL Draft is almost upon us.
That means everyone from owners to general managers to fans is trying to figure out who their team needs to push them over the line. In the case of the Seattle Seahawks, a few good picks could make all the difference, but it’s easier said than done.
Offseason Additions
This Seahawks team is going to look very different this year offensively.
Geno Smith, D.K. Metcalf, and Tyler Lockett are all gone. In their place stand Sam Darnold, Cooper Kupp, and Marquez Valdes-Scantling. Kupp has shown his worth in the past with his 2021 triple-crown season. MVS has yet to prove himself as a reliable target. His best season saw him bring in 690 yards and six touchdowns in 2020. However, he’s yet to start a full season in a prominent role, which has hampered his numbers.
The big one, though, is Darnold. He’s coming off a career year where he finished the season with numbers similar to the outgoing Smith. The one big difference is touchdowns. Darnold threw 35 touchdowns compared to Smith’s 21. While age and money certainly factored into the switch, Darnold’s ability to get the ball in the end zone also played a role.
Who do the Seahawks Draft in the First Round?
Every single Seahawks fan has been clamoring for this since midseason: offensive line.
There are concerns that Darnold isn’t a long-term solution, but at just 27, he still has time to grow and improve. If he proves not to be a franchise guy this season, the Seahawks have a way out of the contract. That means, realistically, quarterback shouldn’t be a thought right now.
There are holes in nearly every position up front, and general manager John Schneider refused to pay up to solidify the line in free agency. It’s understandable as he focused on other areas, but it means several linemen must be taken.
Someone like Kelvin Banks Jr. would be the dream scenario. Athletic and versatile, he could fill the gap at left guard despite being a tackle. However, he likely won’t fall to 18. Someone who should be available and perhaps is even more versatile is Grey Zabel.
Zabel’s preferred position is at tackle, but his greatest strength is versatility. He started and excelled at four different positions at North Dakota State. His school, though, presents a possible risk. Coming from an FCS school means he hasn’t faced the best of the best in terms of competition. That doesn’t change the physical traits he brings to the table, though.
His aggressive mentality, paired with his understanding of the game, makes him a great fit.
Additional Possible Fits
Another prospect that would fit well could be Ohio State tackle Josh Simmons.
He doesn’t possess Zabel’s versatility, but he’s a great athlete and a punishing blocker. He invites contact and loves to dish it out—perfect for a hard-nosed power-running scheme. He’s consistently improved throughout college, but his 2024 season was cut short due to knee injuries. In limited time, he still showed great potential, and those injuries could allow him to fall to 18.
Another notable lineman from Ohio State is Donovan Jackson. There’s been a lot of talk about versatility and playing in different positions, and that’s because whoever the Seahawks select will come into a group that saw only one player start for the full season. Primarily, Jackson is a guard but was able to move to tackle midseason and maintained his elite level of play.
Like the others, he brings great power and instincts. Technical aspects still need to be worked on, though, which could lead to him falling as a second or third-round option.
Should the Seahawks Draft a Quarterback?
It’s very hard to see a quarterback going to Seattle in the first round.
But with two picks in the second (50 and 52) and one in the third (82), it’s possible. As mentioned earlier, the Seahawks are not tied down to Darnold beyond this year if they don’t want to be. That opens up the discussion of whether or not to get a quarterback now or next year.
There’s going to be a name added to the QB room, as only Darnold and Sam Howell are under contract right now. Howell is another young guy with potential, but he didn’t show much of it in his one chance last season. Recently, Jaxson Dart has been gaining hype, but the only way Seattle can get him is by using their first-round pick. Given the offensive line problems, this seems unlikely.
Which Quarterbacks could Seattle Draft?
On Day 2, however, both Quinn Ewers and Jalen Milroe should be available. Ewers seems to be the more reliable pick of the two, with him showing a great arm and a great deep ball. He possesses great touch and isn’t afraid of throwing into the second level. However, this past season showed a bad side to him.
Too often, Ewers struggled passing in the short game. When he was under pressure, his decision-making was questionable at best. He sometimes found himself playing hero ball a bit too much. Unfortunately, he doesn’t have the running threat that Jalen Milroe has to counter that.
With the development the Seahawks have to make on the offensive line, which could take more than one season, throwing Ewers in there seems like a bad fit.
Milroe, on the other hand, is one of those once-in-a-lifetime quarterbacks where you have an elite athlete at the position. Physically, there’s nothing to question about him aside from his small hands (8.88 inches). Like Ewers, he showed that he loves the deep ball and was great at it, too.
Young quarterbacks tend to latch on to what they’re good at and try replicating it. That means you’ll see Milroe holding onto the ball, waiting for a big play rather than taking what’s available. These things are expected from a rookie, and a year of sitting behind Darnold could make all the difference. However, he still needs some work on his mechanics. That means whatever team takes him will have to wait to get that fully formed franchise guy out of him, but Seattle isn’t looking to wait around right now.
The Seahawks Must Address the Weakest Link
There’s no question about it; the offensive line is the Seahawks’ biggest priority this offseason.
Geno Smith looked so much worse purely because of the line. Sam Darnold will need all the help he can get. Yes, there is an argument for getting a quarterback, but only if the right one falls to them. There’s no point reaching for a guy who’ll have to sit for a year and let the line stagnate once again.
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