The Seattle Seahawks and the rest of the NFL world are only a week away from the 2025 NFL Draft. Rumors, mock drafts, late risers, and quarterback speculation are the biggest stories heading into next week, but the NFL Draft is much more than the first round. Even with five selections in the first 100 picks in the draft, the Seahawks should still be focused on the hidden gems in the later rounds.
Some of the best Seahawks in franchise history were late-round selections. Running back Chris Carson was a seventh-round selection out of Butler Community College of El Dorado. Current star cornerback Riq Woolen was a fifth-round pick out of UTSA.
Super Bowl MVP Malcolm Smith was a seventh-round pick. Richard Sherman and Kam Chancellor, two of the best defensive backs in NFL history, were taken in the fifth round. Even wide receiver Doug Baldwin went completely undrafted.
These three Day 3 picks could be hidden gems for the Seattle Seahawks
The point is that while the flashy names are taken on the first night of the draft, some of the franchise's best players didn't hear their name called until Day 3 of the draft, after hundreds of other players were chosen before them. The later rounds are not just throwaway picks—they can genuinely make a massive difference for a franchise. Here are three hidden gems on which the Seahawks may take a flyer in the 2025 NFL Draft.
RB Rushawn Baker - Elon College
One of my favorite overall athletes in this year's class is running back Rushawn Baker from small-school Elon College in upstate New York. The 5'11" and 220 lb back rushed for 859 yards on 183 carries, good for 4.7 yards per carry, in his senior season at Elon in 2024. Baker added nine touchdowns on the year, 6 of which came amid an insane November stretch where he rushed for three straight games of 150+ yards.
What makes Baker such a unique prospect is his athleticism. Baker ran a 4.51 40-yard dash at his Pro Day, jumping a 38.5-inch vertical, recorded a 10-foot broad jump, and pumped out 21 bench press reps.
All these athletic feats appear on his tape, as the compact rusher runs with burst, decisiveness, and violence. As a rusher who rarely goes down on first contact, finds downhill speed quickly, and protects the football (0 fumbles in 183 carries in 2024), Rushawn Baker fits the mold of a Seahawks running back almost perfectly.
Currently, most mock drafts don't even list him as a 7th-round draft pick. However, that may change after a Pro Day in which his measurables compare to some of the top backs in the entire draft. Remember his name this fall as the hidden gems start to show out in the preseason, hopefully in Seattle.
WR Efton Chism - Eastern Washington
After Seattle brought in former Eastern Washington wide receiver Cooper Kupp this offseason, why not bring in another one? Wide receiver Efton Chism is another gem who likely won't hear his name called until Day 3 of next week's draft. Coincidentally, Chism's play in 2024 eerily resembles the best parts of Cooper Kupp's game.
Chism, a 5'10" and 195-pound prospect, lacks the athletic traits of some of this year's top receivers. However, like Cupp in 2017, Chism's appeal comes from his fundamentals, sure hands, and ability to make plays after the catch. Due to his smaller frame, Chism played mainly in the slot but made big catches after expertly navigating the soft spots in zone coverage.
His production is nothing to scoff at either, as Chism broke Kupp's longstanding record for catches in a single season.
After dealing DK Metcalf and releasing Tyler Lockett this spring, Seattle needs some young receivers. And it's been primarily reported that Seattle will be actively pursuing wide receivers in next week's draft. What better way to restock a new wide receiver room with a mini Cooper Kupp clone?
G Clay Webb - Jacksonville State
We all know the interior offensive line is the most enormous hole on this Seattle team. And we all want Seattle to fill that hole in the first few rounds. The fact is, Seattle likely will draft a few guys to play on the inside of the offensive line in the early rounds, but taking a flyer on a high-upside gem in the latter rounds is also something Seattle should keep in mind.
Clay Webb, a 6'3" and 310-pound guard out of Jacksonville State, is the definition of a hidden gem. With an elite 84.9 zone blocking grade according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required), Webb could easily provide for a great depth piece or even a stand-in starter for an oft-injured Seattle offensive line. Webb's high marks show up clearly in the film, as the right guard clears the way on zone runs early and often.
After giving up only three sacks in three seasons as a starter, Webb's pass protection has also remained a steady strength in his game. Webb is a unique blend of strength and unexpected athleticism with a nastiness to his game that Seattle desperately needs.
His measurables aren't anything special, which will keep him largely unconsidered on the first two nights of the draft, but his tape, grades, and the general mean attitude displayed in his game could make him a perfect Day 3 pick for Seattle next week.