Projected role for each rookie in Seahawks' phenomenal 2025 draft

The Seattle Seahawks were a consensus pick for one of the best draft classes this year. As we've said many times, we won't honestly know how good this class was for a few years. But that's not stopping me from saying what role each rookie will play in their first season.

It's no secret that John Schneider's seat was getting a little hotter in Seattle this year. He certainly doused those fires, as small as they might have been. Schneider did more than walk back his comments about the value of guards, and pulled off several great moves during the draft.

The only remaining question in Seattle is exactly how much the 2025 draft class will contribute this season. That, and if Sam Darnold can repeat last season's success. And if the defense can continue to improve. and - oh, let's just get on with it.

The 2025 Seahawks rookie class will have an immediate impact this year

We all know it's likely that a few of the players the Seahawks drafted won't be on the roster when Week 1 rolls around. However, they do a pretty remarkable job of drafting overall. Last year, D.J. James was the only one of eight players who didn't make the squad. In 2023, all 10 draftees made it through to the next season.

With 11 rookies fighting for a roster spot, it will be more difficult than ever. A few players can step into a position of great need. That doesn't mean they're assured of making the team by any means. But what we're interested in is how much they can contribute. Seattle has had enough players like L.J. Collier, thanks. So, who will jump in and make a difference in 2025?

Grey Zabel, G, Round 1, 18th overall selection

The Seahawks' first pick certainly has the most straightforward path to success. Laken Tomlinson is gone, and Zabel should step right into his role on the left side, next to Charles Cross. I agree, Cross and Zabel aren't likely to be the new Jones and Hutchinson, but they can form the best blindside protection Seattle has seen since they took the field.

For the record, I'm still not sold on the selection of Zabel at 18. As it turns out, someone who actually knows what he's talking about agrees. I think all 12s agree that Brandon Mebane knows a little bit about football. He said, "I'm not in love with the pick."

It's worth noting that Zabel showed just how good he was in the Senior Bowl against that top competition that Mebane said he didn't face every week. I'm thrilled that Schneider took him. I wish he'd traded back a few spots to land him.

Many of the reports said he tried to do just that, but had no takers. In the end, all that matters is that Zabel will not only start 17 games this year for the Seahawks, but most likely another eight or nine seasons as well.

Nick Emmanwori, S, Round 2, 35th overall selection

The 6'3" 220-pound guided missile will see a lot of time on the field, you can be sure of that. Eventually, I imagine he'll supplant Coby Bryant in the starting lineup, and Julian Love will move to free safety. That doesn't mean Bryant will see fewer snaps this year, though. So, how can both things be true?

Mike Macdonald played more snaps with three safeties as the Ravens' defensive coordinator than anyone in the past few years. He tried to do the same in 2024 with Love, Rayshawn Jenkins, and K'Von Wallace. That didn't work, but now he has the necessary chess pieces.

Emmanwori might not see as many snaps as Bryant early in the season, but I expect he'll be on the field for at least 20 snaps per game.

By Week 5, I picture he'll have more snaps than Bryant, with Love still the central figure of their three-safety sets. Will Emmanwori make mistakes in coverage? Oh, I'm sure he'll make a few. Will he have every receiver think twice before running a crossing route? Oh, most definitely. I'm no longer certain that he's the steal of the draft, as Seattle had so many great picks. But he's one of them, for sure.

Elijah Arroyo, TE, Round 2, 50th overall selection

I don't believe Arroyo will have the same impact as Zabel or Emmanwori. But he'll be close. He's a perfect fit for the offense Seattle's new OC Klint Kubiak is installing. He may not be an exceptional blocker, but he's not terrible. Most importantly, he can do everything that current Seahawks tight end Noah Fant can do. And for almost $12 million less.

I'll be shocked if Fant is still on the roster by September. Arroyo and A.J. Barner will see a lot of snaps in Kubiak's two TE sets.

Jalen Milroe, QB, Round 3, 82nd overall selection

And now we come to the player who may be the real steal of the draft. The flip side is that he could also be the biggest bust for the Seahawks. Although as a third-round pick, he wouldn't exactly be the new Dan McGwire.

The former Alabama star certainly had all the right responses when he was interviewed. It's been reported numerous times that he was very open about the skills he needed to improve, and how he's eager to learn from the established vets in Seattle's QB room.

The chances of Milroe starting in 2025 are virtually zero. There's a reason the Seahawks brought Drew Lock back, after all. However, Mike Macdonald has already made it clear that his newest quarterback will see time on the field this year, not as a Taysom Hill clone. Milroe will have some impact in 2025, but we'll have to wait for 2026 to see him take flight.

Rylie Mills, DE, Round 5, 142nd overall selection

Mills is one of two Seattle rookies who would have probably been taken in the third round if not for injury issues. He has almost zero chance of cracking the starting lineup for the Seahawks, as he may not even be ready to play by Week 1.

He's rehabbing a torn ACL he suffered in December last year. Once he's healthy, he should be a decent rotational piece on the defensive line, although he'll likely have to beat out Mike Morris to do it.

Tory Horton, WR, Round 5, 166th overall selection

The speedy receiver from Colorado State was the other player who would have likely been taken in the third round, but dropped to the fifth round due to an injury. He did run a 4.41 40 at the NFL Combine, so he's further along than Mills.

Even with the arrival of Cooper Kupp and Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Horton will get his chances to contribute. He'll likely be tapped for punt return duties, as he had three scores in 26 returns in college.

Robbie Ouzts, FB, Round 5, 175th overall selection

I wrote about the likelihood of Klint Kubiak putting a fullback in Seattle's backfield some time ago. There was some conjecture at the time that he'd want Cam Skattebo to fill the role. And frankly, that made no sense. For one, the Seahawks already have Zach Charbonnet on the roster, and he's a better blocker than Skattebo. Plus, Kubiak has always opted for bigger guys at that spot.

Since then, the Seahawks have moved the 250-pound Brady Russell from tight end to fullback. With the selection of the 270-pound TE/FB from Alabama, Kubiak has exactly the kind of player he wants. Whether he lines up as a tight end, a fullback, an H-back, or in a Wing-T, Ouzts is going to get plenty of snaps in Seattle's new offense.

Bryce Cabeldue, G, Round 6, 192nd overall selection

Now we're getting to the tricky part of the roster. I do not doubt that at least six of the first seven players Schneider took off the board will contribute to the Seahawks' success this year. Cabeldue played tackle at Kansas but will move inside to compete for the starting gig at right guard.

Seattle already has two players vying for that role, but Cabeldue has as good a chance as anyone to make the team unless they can make a significant leap in their performance.

Damien Martinez, RB, Round 7, 223rd overall selection

The odds of the former Oregon State/Miami star being the next Chris Carson are pretty slim. Of course, I'm talking about his early impact, not the unfortunate injury history that cut the fan favorite's career short.

After averaging 6.3 yards per carry and hitting paydirt 10 times for the Hurricanes, Martinez will have every chance to crack the Seattle roster. Kenny McIntosh might not be the only Ken who may be nervous this summer in Seattle.

Mason Richman, G, Round 7, 234th overall selection

When you're the 234th pick in the draft, you're not exactly expected to have an outsized impact on your new team. But again, guard is by far the weakest spot in Seattle's roster. Zabel should be a star, yes, but there are virtually no proven players on the right side to line up next to Abe Lucas.

Richman will have an uphill battle to even make the practice squad. With 55 games under his belt, he's got enough experience to make some Seahawks vets sweat.

Ricky White III, WR, Round 7, 238th overall selection

By all rights, the final player taken should have the least chance of making the roster. Despite the departure of Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf, the Seahawks' wide receiver room is already pretty crowded, too.

Let's not forget Jake Bobo is still in the house, right? But White has been lethal on special teams. For that skill alone, I picture he has just as good a chance of making the final cut as the fifth-round pick, Rylie Mills.

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