The Seattle Seahawks have some wants and needs in the 2025 NFL draft, but there are a few positions that absolutely have to be addressed. One group is the interior of the offensive line, but expecting general manager John Schneider to choose a guard or center in the first round is foolhardy. Maybe this will be the year he surprises 12s and makes fans happy.
For every mock draft with Seattle taking a player such as offensive lineman Gray Zabel, there are more logical mocks that have the Seahawks taking a cornerback or defensive lineman. These positions are not in as grave need as the O-line, but an attempt to keep making head coach Mike Macdonald's defense great is likely.
Or, Schneider could choose who he sees as the best player available at pick 18. Of course, who that is remains to be seen based on how the draft is flowing before it's Seattle's turn to choose. Maybe the best player is Gray Zabel, but it is doubtful Schneider will see it that way.
ESPN NFL analyst believes Tetairoa McMillan could be a good fit for the Seattle Seahawks
One player that has been mocked to the Seahawks a few times is Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan. He has DK Metcalf-like size at 6'4" and 220 pounds, and while he isn't as fast as Metcalf (few are), he had a 40 time at his pro day between 4.46 and 4.53. At his size and strength, that is plenty fast enough to create explosive plays.
ESPN's Matt Miller recently suggested that McMillan could be a great fit with the Seahawks. Miller would not be surprised if the wide receiver is the team first-round choice in 2025.
But McMillan is not without football-related controversy. A video recently surfaced of the receiver saying he doesn't like football and doesn't study game tape. His reasoning for not watching film is that his position group watches it all together. Of course, most people know that many of the best in the NFL watch film on their own, too.
It shows that the players are devoted to their craft and want to get better. McMillan's statement that he doesn't enjoy the sport and doesn't make time on his own to learn his opponents better could be alarming. Both Schneider and Macdonald have said they want players who love to play and prioritize that in their lives.
To be fair to McMillan, the video showing his comments is over two years old. He certainly might have a different perspective now. If he doesn't, there could be an issue with him being drafted by the Seahawks. He won't feel his way is wrong after having back-to-back 1,300-yard receiving seasons in college. The intelligence and speed of NFL defenders might be a rude awakening for him.
The other aspect is that the Seahawks don't need a wide receiver in the first round, at least not this year. Sure, Metcalf was traded, and Tyler Lockett was released, but Lockett was fading in his production. Free agent signees Cooper Kupp and Marques Valdez-Scantling might be able to equal what Metcalf and Lockett could do in 2025.
If Seattle takes a receiver high in the draft, that might happen in 2026. If Schneider chooses one in the first round, McMillan won't be the guy if he views football like he did in 2023. He didn't seem like a John Schneider-type player at that point.