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Seahawks 2025 Draft Grades From Mel Kiper & Other Experts

The experts have weighed in on the newest Seahawks draft class.

The Seahawks draft room at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on day three of the 2025 NFL Draft on April 26, 2025.
The Seahawks draft room at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on day three of the 2025 NFL Draft on April 26, 2025.

Seattle spent Thursday, Friday and Saturday drafting 11 players, a class general manager and president of football operation John Schneider called, "smart, tough, reliable, swaggy, athletic, speed." Schneider added, "We're very excited about what we've added to this team, the depth and the toughness, the competitors, the reliability. Excited for this growth-minded staff to get their hands on these guys and get ripping,"

Draft Class Graphic-16x9 (1)

Meet The 2025 Draft Class

Everything you need to know about the 11 newest members of the Seattle Seahawks

Here are all 11 Seahawks draft picks, click here to read more about each pick.

  • Round 1, No. 18 Overall: G Grey Zabel, North Dakota State
  • Round 2, No. 32 Overall: S Nick Emmanwori, South Carolina
  • Round 2, No. 50 Overall: TE Elijah Arroyo, Miami
  • Round 3, No. 92 Overall: QB Jalen Milroe, Alabama
  • Round 5, No. 142 Overall: DT Rylie Mills, Notre Dame
  • Round 5, No. 166 Overall: WR Tory Horton, Colorado State
  • Round 5, No. 175 Overall: FB Robbie Ouzts, Alabama
  • Round 6, No. 192 Overall: G Bryce Cabeldue, Kansas
  • Round 7, No. 223 Overall: RB Damien Martinez, Miami
  • Round 7, No. 234 Overall: T/G Mason Richman, Iowa
  • Round 7, No. 238 Overall: WR Ricky White III, UNLV

Grade: A

"Seattle made one of the biggest roster changes of the offseason, swapping out quarterback Geno Smith for Sam Darnold. But is it actually better because of the decision? I'm not so sure. If Darnold is better than Smith, it's only by a small amount. Yes, this is a team coming off a 10-7 season, but it has major holes, including at wide receiver, where DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett are out and Cooper Kupp and Marquez Valdes-Scantling are in.

The good thing? General manager John Schneider had the capital entering this draft to add quality starters and solid depth. With three picks in the first two rounds -- Nos. 18, 50 and 52 -- he had a chance to come away with multiple starters.

I'm a big fan of how Schneider approached every day of the draft, but especially the first two. Grey Zabel will be an instant starter at guard. Nick Emmanwori is one of the best athletes in this class, and he should help solidify the defensive backfield. The Seahawks traded up to get him, but he's a great fit and it was a value on my board. Elijah Arroyo is my third-ranked tight end -- they got him at No. 50. Quarterback Jalen Milroe isn't ready to start, but he has unbelievable traits and could help the running game in 2025. I thought he had a chance to go at the top of Round 2. Seattle did a stellar job addressing holes but also looking to the future.

Damien Martinez is a Day 3 player to watch. Last season, he averaged 4.5 yards after contact per rush, which ranked fourth in the FBS. I wouldn't be surprised if he found a role as a rookie. I'm a fan of the versatile Rylie Mills, who can play in any defense. He had 7.5 sacks when lined up as a defensive tackle last season and is powerful at the point of attack. Wideout Ricky White III and offensive tackle Mason Richman are good players.

All in all, Schneider had a tremendous weekend, improving his roster in several areas. This class gets high marks."

Grade: A-

"Zabel's versatility met a significant need for the Seahawks. Emmanwori fits into the Seahawks defense as a nickel or safety equally well, but the team gave up a Day 2 pick to jump up for the defender. Arroyo was part of a second-round run at tight end despite his injuries, while the lack of interest in quarterbacks in this draft meant the Seahawks found a potential bargain in the athletic and intelligent Milroe.

The Seahawks sent their fourth-round pick to the Titans for linebacker Ernest Jones last year, signing him to an extension this offseason. The selection of Milroe allowed Seattle to trade Sam Howell to the Vikings and move up for Mills, a high-motor 5-technique. Horton will be a downfield threat if able to stay healthy. Don't count out Cabeldue, White and Martinez from winning roster spots. The phones of undrafted cornerbacks should be blowing up with calls from the 206 area code."

Grade: A

"There are fewer concerns now about the Seahawks spending on Sam Darnold and Cooper Kupp after the impressive selections they made here. Last season in Minnesota, Darnold proved he's a quality quarterback when he has a clean pocket. Seattle made strides to improve its offensive line with the versatile Zabel, who can play guard or center. The Seahawks also gave Darnold another weapon in Arroyo, insurance in case Kupp's best days are truly behind him. Speaking of insurance, Seattle gave itself another option at quarterback with the intriguing Milroe. Coach Mike Macdonald saw firsthand in Baltimore how the Ravens utilized Lamar Jackson on a daily basis, and that's Milroe's most special trait. But the best pick might be Emmanwori, who could be Macdonald's version of Ravens star safety Kyle Hamilton."

Grade: A

"Football can be a complicated game, but sometimes the simplest solution is the right one. That was the approach the Seahawks took in the first round, nabbing their perfect schematic fit in Grey Zabel, the most versatile blocker in this class and a plug-and-play option at left guard.

This was the earliest the Seahawks have drafted an interior offensive lineman since Hall of Famer Steve Hutchinson, and I'm not sure GM John Schneider enjoyed using his first-round pick on an interior blocker. But once he forced down those vegetables in the first round, the rest of the draft was dessert, and the Seahawks feasted as well as any team in the league, landing three other prospects in safety Nick Emmanwori, tight end Elijah Arroyo and quarterback Jalen Milroe, each of whom flashed first-round traits.

Milroe, of course, won't be expected to play right away, with the Seahawks signing Sam Darnold in free agency. He does offer intriguing running ability, however, for an offensive coordinator (Klint Kubiak) who values a mobile quarterback, and a head coach (Mike Macdonald) who joined Seattle following time in Baltimore with Lamar Jackson.

The Seahawks aren't likely to get the same production out of late-round receivers Tory Horton and Ricky White III as longtime stars DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett, but each does offer legitimate big-play potential as well as special teams prowess.

The Seahawks needed a splashy draft and got one. In terms of both quantity and quality, their 2025 class was as good as any in the league."

Grade: A

"The Seahawks went down the line filling some key holes, as Zabel and Emmanwori provide immediate blocking and coverage help. Arroyo is a good target to add to their wide receivers in the new Klint Kubiak offense led by Sam Darnold. They didn't stop there with Horton's big-play threat and another option for 12 personnel. Milroe gives them a strong contingency for Darnold in the Jalen Hurts behind Carson Wentz mold. This was a great showing by John Schneider and Mike Macdonald in Year 2."

Grade: A

Zabel — Zabel, a versatile blocker who can play all five positions, earned a 93.1 PFF pass-blocking grade over the past two seasons. He will likely join a Seahawks interior offensive line that ranked 29th in PFF pass-blocking grade (52.3) and 24th in PFF run-blocking grade (60.1) in 2024.

Emmanwori — Emmanwori certainly has areas of his game that will need to improve in the NFL, but a 6-foot-3, 220-plus pound safety with sub-4.4 speed and a 43-inch vertical was only going to slide so far. He's coming off the best season of his collegiate career in coverage, grading out in the 89th percentile at safety in box coverage grade. His fit in the Mike Macdonald defense is intriguing as part of a secondary that has a lot of young talent.

Arroyo — The Seahawks add an excellent receiving threat at tight end for Sam Darnold in Arroyo. While Arroyo doesn't profile as much of an in-line player, he can be a dynamic threat as a wingback and big slot, with plus athleticism. His notable ability to run the seam can open up an offense, as he earned a 73.6 PFF receiving grade.

Milroe — Despite signing Sam Darnold in free agency, the Seahawks couldn't pass up the opportunity to draft a quarterback with incredible physical tools. Milroe earned an 87.0-plus PFF overall grade over the past two seasons at Alabama. He has one of the strongest arms in the class but struggles with accuracy, giving him room to further develop.

Mills — Mills was a solid pass rusher for the Irish before an injury ended his playoff run early. He earned an 80.9 grade on true pass sets and posted a 14.3% pass-rush win rate.

Horton — This is a nice value pick for the Seahawks, who need more outside weapons. Horton, ranked 112th on the PFF Big Board, missed time due to injury last season but was outstanding in 2023, posting an 87.9 PFF overall grade.

Outzts — At 274 pounds, Ouzts profiles more as a blocking tight end than a pass-catching weapon. He logged 537 career special teams snaps and will likely make his initial impact for the Seahawks in that phase.

Cabeldue — Cabeldue earned a 65.0 PFF pass-blocking grade on true pass sets in 2024, indicating he may need to slide inside to guard to earn an NFL roster spot. He did show some ability in the run game, earning an 81.0 zone PFF run-blocking grade.

Martinez — We had Damien Martinez ranked No. 80 on the PFF Big Board, making his selection by the Seahawks at pick No. 223 an incredible value. Martinez is a big back, standing 6 feet and weighing 232 pounds. He has been extremely productive over his three years at Oregon State and Miami, with a career-low rushing grade of 88.1.

Richman — Richman is experienced, starting four years at left tackle for Iowa. He earned a 79.6 pass-blocking grade in 2024, giving up two sacks from 316 pass-blocking snaps.

White — White was an extremely productive receiver who played primarily outside, though his size and short-area separation ability suggest he could be more suited for a slot role in the NFL. White gained 2.93 yards per route run in 2024.

Grade: A

"Zabel, the practice player of the week at the Senior Bowl, has five-position versatility. Emmanwori (No. 35) and Arroyo (No. 50) are steals at those spots. Milroe has the highest-ceiling of all 2025 QBs, but will he be used as a gadget runner while he develops?"

The Seahawks put together one of the most athletic draft classes in recent memory, grabbing North Dakota State guard Grey Zabel (one of the most athletic offensive linemen on record), South Carolina safety Nick Emmanwori (the most athletic safety on record), Miami tight end Elijah Arroyo (who was clocked at 21.8 MPH last year), and Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe (who ran a 4.4-second, 40-yard dash at his pro day) with their first four picks. Zabel fills a massive need and should start right away at guard or center. Emmanwori is a versatile chess piece that gives head coach Mike Macdonald tons of flexibility with how he deploys his secondary. Arroyo fits perfectly into the play-action, deep-shot offense that I expect Klint Kubiak to run in Seattle next year. And Milroe is the perfect developmental third-round quarterback, possessing the elite physical tools and reportedly A-plus character to develop into a starter down the line. Past that, I liked the selection of Colorado State receiver Tory Horton, who profiles as a run-after-the-catch and deep-shot option on the outside. Miami running back Damien Martinez in the seventh round also represents great value. All in all, this looks like a promising draft class full of early contributors. If Milroe somehow cleans up his mechanics and ends up as the team's starter in a year or two, that's just a massive cherry on top.

The Seahawks wrapped up the 2025 NFL Draft on Saturday, April, 26, 2025 so check out all eleven draftees.

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