Seattle Seahawks general manager John Schneider has some interesting choices to make in next week’s NFL draft. After losing four starters – or starter-equivalents – to free agency this offseason, he certainly has some holes to fill. On the other hand, Schneider has assembled a first-rate roster with plenty of depth. Patching individual holes may not be as important as initially thought.
Like all GMs, Schneider balances drafting for need with choosing the best player available (BPA). The first two rounds of 2025 provided a perfect example. The Seahawks may not have drafted Grey Zabel in the first round if they didn’t have a glaring hole at left guard. Then, in round two, there was no need to trade up for Nick Emmanwori with several quality safeties already on the roster.
How did it work out? A Lombardi Trophy, with both the player drafted for need (Zabel) and the BPA (Emmanwori) playing vital roles. In today’s mock draft, we’re going to eliminate the debate and simply take our highest-rated player when Seattle’s pick comes up.
Seattle Seahawks seven-round best player available draft
Round 1, pick 32 – Peter Woods, DT, Clemson
I doubt I would take Woods in this position. After all, Seattle has invested a couple of recent picks in interior linemen – Byron Murphy II and Riley Mills – in the last couple of drafts. However, you can never have enough quality big men. With Leonard Williams and Jarran Reed getting on in years, taking a potential star in Woods does have its appeal.
He is a gifted athlete – big and powerful, with unexpected quickness. He also has the versatility that Mike Macdonald prizes throughout his defense. Woods projects as a three-technique, but he can move all around the line, just like Seattle’s other linemen. His college production was up and down, so he needs time to develop consistency – time he would get with Seattle’s defense.
Round 2, pick 64 – Caleb Tiernan, OT, Northwestern
It is much easier to make the case for drafting Woods than for taking Tiernan this high. He is a fine prospect who could immediately serve as a quality swing tackle with definite starting potential on either side. He is tall and strong and was noted for his disciplined work ethic and ability to stay healthy. That is exactly what you want in a swing tackle. He is also an advanced pass protector.
The issue is that Seattle’s starting tackles are set. They have a primary swing in Josh Jones and a promising developmental player in Amari Kight. That doesn’t mean they will not be interested in adding more prospects at tackle, but it suggests they might not want to devote a second-round pick,
Round 3, pick 96 – Logan Jones, Center, Iowa
Some of the same issues that would make Tiernan an iffy choice in round two apply here. But Seattle is not quite as strong in the middle of its line, and Jones might turn into the best center on the roster within a year or two. I say that despite being an early fan of Jalen Sundell.
I thought it was apparent that Sundell was the best center on the team early in 2024. He acquitted himself very well last year. Clearly, Seattle does not need to draft a center.
The benefit would be that the presence of Jones would allow Sundell to become a discount version of Bruce Matthews, a player who can fill in anywhere along the offensive line. That isn’t necessarily the best development for Sundell, but it would provide excellent security up front.
If I’m wrong about Jones’ ceiling, then he at least provides insurance as a backup should Olu Oluwaitimi depart via free agency after the upcoming season.
Round 6, pick 188 – Caden Curry, Edge, Ohio State
A lot of this year’s most productive edges seem plagued by short arms, and Curry is no exception. Based on his outstanding production for Ohio State in 2025, you'd expect him to project higher than the sixth round. But there are concerns about how his somewhat undersized frame will stand up in the NFL.
I’m not especially concerned. Curry should be a good rotational player who can line up in several different spots and attack the backfield. Though a bit smaller than Macdonald’s preferred edges, he would nonetheless help pick up some of the slack left by the departure of Boye Mafe.
In all honesty, I really only like the Woods pick here. The three other players would all provide quality depth – and perhaps more down the road – but other players on my board would have filled more pressing holes. That said, employing a BPA strategy is usually a very wise move for teams that already have both quality and depth. It is the best way to ensure long-term success.
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