In the first round of the 2025 NFL draft, the Seattle Seahawks did something surprising. At least, it was somewhat shocking for general manager John Schneider. The team didn't trade back from pick 18, and they chose an interior offensive lineman.
North Dakota State's Grey Zabel should be an immediate starter, but the question is at which spot. He played left tackle in college, so he's familiar with the left side. The best part about that is that Seattle's most significant need in the interior of the offensive line is at left guard. Zabel should slide in there.
But the Seahawks are far from done in the 2025 draft. Seattle still has nine picks left, unless they trade up and lose a couple. The team doesn't usually do that, but many potentially impactful players remain and might be worth trading up for in the second round.
3 prospects the Seahawks shouldn't pass on Day 2 of the 2025 NFL draft
Safety Nick Emmanwori
How did Emmanwori not go in the first round? He is 6'3" and 220 pounds with a lot of speed and ability to hit hard when he tackles. He is the same size and possibly faster than Seahawks legend Kam Chancellor. In other words, he has future Seahawk written all over him.
But he probably won't fall much further. Seattle has enough draft capital to play around a bit. Would a team take one of Seattle's second-round choices and a fifth-rounder so that Seattle can move up to the 30s? That might be what is needed to grab the safety.
Coby Bryant was a success for the Seahawks in the second half of last season, and the hope is that he will be again, of course. But he is also entering the last year of his rookie deal. Emmanwori could eventually replace him and become a star in head coach Mike Macdonald's system.
Edge rusher Donovan Ezeiruaku
Ezeiruaku is not huge, and that might be why teams did not take him. He is an exceptional talent who needs to be in the right system. There might be some questions about how well he will hold up at 248 pounds. Of course, he could always gain muscle and weight in an NFL training program.
He was amazingly productive at Boston College, however. He had 16.5 sacks last season and 20.5 tackles for loss. His best fit is in a 3-4, and that is what Macdonald mostly runs. Ezeiruaku might begin as more of a pure pass rusher, but he has the skill set to become a three-down menace.
Wide receiver Jayden Higgins
If Seattle wants a wide receiver who has the size of DK Metcalf, there are several available. Higgins is 6'4" and 214 pounds, with excellent athleticism. He ran a 4.47 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine and had a 39-inch vertical leap. There is no question about his raw abilities.
He does need some work, though. His route tree is limited, and does not appear to create as much separation as his size and speed say he should. That can all be coached up, however. He is worth taking a chance on in round two.