There is a difference between wants and needs. The Seattle Seahawks might want to take a cornerback early in the 2025 NFL draft to play opposite Riq Woolen. The team might also want to take an edge rusher in the first round. However, while the player might become extremely productive, neither of those picks will fix Seattle's most significant need.
Seattle currently has five picks in the top 92 of the draft. General manager John Schneider could trade down from pick 18 and add more selections. No matter how many he ends up with, at least one of the top choices the Seahawks have must be spent on an interior offensive lineman.
One name that has popped up quite often for Seattle in mock drafts is North Dakota State's guard/center Grey Zabel. Zabel can also play offensive tackle, if needed, but the Seahawks should be set there, assuming Abraham Lucas stays healthy for once. The team could use upgrades at both guard spots and at center.
Pro Football Focus has the Seahawks choosing Grey Zabel in the first round of the 2025 NFL draft
Zabel can play any of those spots and presumably do so well. He had not played center before Senior Bowl week, but he dominated his competition at the college all-star game. His draft ranking seemingly went up due to this performance.
In his most recent mock draft, Pro Football Focus's Mason Cameron has Zabel landing with the Seahawks. The move is a wise one, but also unlikely. Cameron also suggests something less pressing for Seattle when he writes, "Seattle is in serious need of an X receiver...(but) they select a versatile option in Zabel to slot in anywhere on the interior."
While Seattle does need to find a long-term replacement for the traded DK Metcalf, that does not have to be in the first round of the 2025 draft. Seattle signed wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling, who is not an apples-to-apples comparison to Metcalf, does have great speed and can fit the role of the team's primary deep threat.
Plus, the need is lessened due to how offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak schemes his offense. Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Cooper Kupp will be much more valuable than a rookie burner in 2025.
Zabel could immediately fill the Seahawks' left guard hole, as 2024 starter Laken Tomlinson left in free agency. The NDSU product also has some college experience playing the spot. He has little experience playing right guard or center. However, as the team's biggest concern is left guard, Zabel would be a great fit.
He is 6'6" and 305 pounds, with great strength and athletic ability. He also has a mean streak that will cause him to feel offended if a defender tries to get past him. He will be an outstanding player for some team, but that will not likely be Seattle.
Expecting John Schneider to take an interior offensive lineman in the first round is having too high hopes. He will probably wait until rounds two or three. He will most likely go with the best player available, but let's hope that Zabel is the best player available when it's the Seahawks' turn to choose.