The Seahawks need offensive linemen, especially at guard. But for the 18th pick, there are better options. I mean, I wouldn't even take a guard at 18, and we know there's no way John Schneider would ever do something like that.
All good 12s know how little the Seahawks general manager values guards. At this point, he's pretty much screwed the Hawks chances of signing any decent player at that position. Without admitting that he's the cause, Schneider said that Seattle will wait for the draft to add talent at that position. As he said, "We brought several guys through and it just hasn’t been a fit." Sure, John, sure.
Anyway, let's talk about players that would most definitely be a good fit for the Seahawks. Seattle needs reinforcements at both linebacker and cornerback, and they could always use more depth on the defensive line and off the edge. Wide receiver is certainly another need, even with the great deal the Hawks made bringing Cooper Kupp home. So let's see who's out there.
5 players who would be great first-round picks for the Seahawks
First, a quick summary of the method. As I do every year, I went with Pro Football Focus to simulate the draft. Yes, you have to subscribe to get the full features, but you can still run a three-round draft as a guest. For advanced settings - such as drafting for need versus positional value, you need to subscribe. So I did play around with those settings quite a bit.
I made no trades, and typically took the first player available. I rarely had an option to take an O-lineman anyway, but I'll add a few notes at the end on those. One note, a very important one, is that despite PFF being a pretty realistic simulation, it does get a bit crazy at times. I ran 50 simulations, and Cam Ward, the undisputed number one quarterback in the draft, was available at pick 18 ten times. Yeah, that's not happening on April 24th, so he is not among the five players here.
I've listed the players in order of the frequency they came up in my mock drafts. I think that's more interesting than who I would select. Plus, I'll tell you that anyway. And by the way, even though we all know the Hawks really really really need offensive linemen, PFF's grades are - questionable. I drafted Josh Simmons at 18, got a B+. Kelvin Banks was graded a C+. and Grey Zabel a D+. Yes, Zabel would be a reach at 18, but the Seahawks need a guard far more than any other position. Okay, here we go!
Luther Burden III, WR, selected 10 times, grade B+
Burden is the consensus number 2 pick at wide receiver, after Arizona's Tetairoa McMillan. At 6'5", McMillan would be a better fit for Seattle, but he was gone in all 50 drafts by the time I picked. That's not to say Burden is a consolation prize. At 6'0" and 206 pounds, he's got plenty of size to body up opposing corners.
He's explosive off the line, and his 4.41 40 time gets him well into his route before the defense can recover. With the injury concerns of Kupp and the inconsistency of Valdes-Scantling, I'd be more than happy with Mizzou's Burden joining the Hawks.
Malaki Starks, S, selected 9x times, grade A
It's not often that you see a true freshman start in the SEC, but that's what the 6'0" 197-pound Starks did at Georgia. After three seasons between the hedges, Starks has shown he's more than ready for the NFL. Every draft site lauds his ability to shut down the run and still has solid coverage skill on the back end.
One interesting note, Starks got a higher prospect grade than either Julian Love or Coby Bryant from nfl.com's Lance Zeirlien. And as most good 12s know, Mike Macdonald really likes three-safety sets. With the injuries to Rashawn Jenkins and K'Von Wallace, he never really got to use the whole playbook. Starks gives the Seahawks a chance to employ the entire arsenal.
Kenneth Grant, DL, selected 8 times, grade B+
The one kind of player the Seahawks have been missing for years is the massive defensive tackle who can take on half the offensive line on his own. Red Bryant was the last true space-eater the Hawks have had. I'm not knocking Jarran Reed or Byron Murphy at all. They're just a different type of player. Michigan's 6'4", 331-pound Grant is that guy. Over the past two seasons, the big man accounted for 6.5 sacks, 11.5 tackles for a loss, and a ridiculous 11 pass breakups.
Those are some big paws on that Wolverine. He ran a 4.95 40, which is - well, that just ain't right for a man that big. Macdonald employed the 355-pound Michael Pierce with the Ravens to the chagrin of opposing teams. Expect similar destruction if the Hawks land this mountain. This is the guy I really want.
Will Johnson, CB, selected 6 times, grade A+
Yes, it would be nice to get the All-World Travis Hunter. The Seahawks will land him at pick 18 the same day I win the Powerball and the Irish Sweepstakes. Considering the Sweepstakes was replaced in 1987, that would be extremely lucky. But I'll take the rangy 6'2", 194-pound Johnson if he falls to 18, yes indeed. Virtually every draft site ranks him as the second corner take in 2025.
His 4.39 speed and savvy route recognition combined for a career passer rating allowed of just 41.5. I can't say he's a consummate ballhawk, not with just nine career interceptions in three seasons. But add 10 pas breakups and three pick-sixes, and you've got one nasty corner to add to the Seahawks defensive backfield.
James Pearce Jr, Edge, selected 6 times, grade A
The 6'5", 245-pound Tennessee Vol wreaked havoc in the SEC over the past two seasons. 17.5 sacks and 25.5 tackles for a loss only come from a lethal combination of power and speed. I'd say 4.47 speed at that position is more than okay. Pearce is equally at home firing past blockers from a two or three-point stance.
The true junior had a phenomenal 43 hurries in 2024, so even when he doesn't get home, he affects the play. According to Pro Football Focus (subscription required), both his pass rush win rate, 23 percent, and run-stop rate, 10.1 percent, were among the best in the NCAA. We know how much Macdoanld loves to rotate players in and out in his chess matches against OCs. Pearce would be a terrific addition, especially as the Seahawks expect Uchenna Nwosu to miss some time after surgery.