The Seattle Seahawks added 11 players in this year’s NFL draft. That is John Schneider’s biggest class since 2019. If his plan to reboot on the fly is to be successful, this year’s crop needs to outperform the 11 newcomers who arrived five years ago.
From that class, only DK Metcalf achieved stardom. Schneider whiffed on his top two picks – L.J. Collier and Marquise Blair – while four later selections had entirely invisible careers. The rest were a collection of decent, journeyman pros.
Of course, Metcalf was dealt away this offseason, part of a plan to rebuild the roster through the draft. Seattle has a core of talented young players and has invested in what they hope will be a steady presence at quarterback. But recent draft failures and questionable free agent signings have left many holes. That is what all the 2025 draft picks are designed to address.
What are the most promising characteristics of the Seahawks' 2025 draft picks?
The draft is a hit-or-miss type of proposition. The Hawks love every player they selected, from Grey Zabel, who went with the 18th overall pick, to Ricky White III, who was chosen 220 spots later. But we know full well that not all 11 are going to flourish.
Mike Macdonald and his coaching staff got their first look at their new talent last week in rookie minicamp, and, as expected, all the reports were glowing.
We’ll see how each player develops over the summer. A couple of the new picks will have their progress delayed by injuries. Even so, it is OK to dream at this point in the offseason. Dream about how good every single one of these players could be. Reality will come crashing down soon enough.
Let’s check out one strength for each of Seattle’s new draft picks.
Grey Zabel – Round 1 – Guard
Zabel played tackle at North Dakota State but the assumption is he will immediately assume the left guard spot that departed free agent Laken Tomlinson manned last year. In addition to his great experience and versatility, one of Zabel’s most impressive qualities is his exceptional base strength.
His 36.5-inch vertical jump would be pretty good for a wide receiver. For a 312-pound lineman, it suggests overpowering leg drive. He backed that up with an equally impressive broad jump.
Nick Emmanwori – Round 2 – Safety
I’m calling him a safety, but Emmanwori almost certainly will play a hybrid role that will see him move all over the field. He has drawn comparisons to former Hawk great Kam Chancellor, but the player he will most resemble is the Baltimore Ravens’ Kyle Hamilton. Macdonald knows precisely what that dynamic player can bring to a defense.
Emmanwori’s primary strength is obvious. He is an extraordinary athlete with a rare combination of size and speed. Though his instincts may not be as honed as Hamilton's, he is not merely an athlete. Emmanwori needs technique work but is already a very productive football player.
Elijah Arroyo – Round 2 – Tight End
Over the past decade, the NFL has been moving toward more two-tight end sets. One of them tends to be a traditional inline blocker who can make a catch when needed. The other is essentially a big wide receiver. That’s what Arroyo is. He is a wide receiver in a tight end’s body.
He has excellent speed and a wide catch radius that should make him a threat all over the field. I would not expect Brock Bowers' production, but Arroyo could approximate what Sam La Porta did a couple of years ago.
Jalen Milroe – Round 3 – Quarterback
Milroe is a devastating runner. He may not be as elusive as Lamar Jackson or Jayden Daniels, but when you consider his combination of speed, power, and vision, he may be a better runner than Justin Fields.
Whether he can develop into a better quarterback than the much-traveled Fields remains unclear. The rosiest of prognostications only have to look at what Josh Allen has done in Buffalo for hope. But early on, Klint Kubiak will be looking to maximize that dangerous running ability.
Rylie Mills – Round 5 – Defensive Lineman
Seattle was the ideal landing spot for Mills. His early progress will be slowed by recovery from an ACL injury. Mills can recover and learn in Seattle, where they already have a group of talented, experienced players across the defensive front. Like Nick Emmanwori, here is an exceptional athlete.
You don’t often find 290-pounders who run a 4.79 in the 40. He will offer positional versatility, with the ability to line up inside or outside. Once fully healthy, Mills's ability to shoot gaps on the interior will make him a very disruptive player.
Tory Horton – Round 5 – Wide Receiver
Much like Rylie Mills, Horton probably fell in the draft due to an injury last year. So Seattle is getting a talented wide out who can learn behind a veteran like Cooper Kupp for a year before stepping into a bigger role.
Horton may eventually grow into a classic Z receiver, but I think his best role will be in the slot, where his length and speed will pose matchup problems while his relatively slim frame can be masked. If you’re looking for one stand-out strength, watch Horton maneuver in the open field. He was an excellent punt returner in college and should be able to do that in the pros.
Robbie Ouzts – Round 5 – Tight End
It may seem strange that Schneider drafted a second tight end this year, especially after taking A.J. Barner last year. This is a case of a player fitting a scheme. Ouzts will line up in the backfield for Klint Kubiak. At 6’3”, 274 pounds, he will not catch many passes. But he is a devastating blocker either as a fullback, H-back, or an inline tight end.
Bryce Cabeldue – Round 6 – Offensive Lineman
For a big man, Cabeldue has exceptional feet. He is quick enough to mirror pass rushers and has the raw speed to reach the second level on running plays. He matches first-round pick Grey Zabel drill for drill in terms of numbers.
Of course, we thought the same thing about Christian Haynes last year, and it hasn’t worked yet. By the end of 2025, Haynes or Cabeldue will have established himself as the Seahawks’ right guard going forward.
Damien Martinez – Round 7 – Running Back
Martinez is a powerful runner with the frame and strength to shed early contact. He doesn’t have the speed NFL teams may want in a clear top running back, but he should carve out a spot for himself. If you are looking for an under-the-radar strength, consider this. Martinez touched the ball 176 times in 2024 and did not fumble. You can trust him with the ball.
Mason Richman – Round 7 – Offensive Lineman
Richman, the third offensive lineman Seattle chose in the 2024 draft, has much experience. Between 2021 and 2024, Richman started 52 games at left tackle for Iowa. His arm length suggests that he will play inside in the pros and may never be a starter.
But after so many games against Big Ten competition, his experience should allow Richman to step in as a backup and not be overwhelmed.
Ricky White III – Round 7 – Wide Receiver
White was a very productive receiver over his final two seasons at UNLV. But he was drafted for one reason. The tall, slender wideout blocked four punts last year. That extraordinary number suggests White has a preternatural talent for finding his way to the punter. And that type of skill can win a job on an NFL roster.