Happy NFL Draft week everybody! The draft starts Thursday night in Green Bay, and the Seahawks, who have 10 picks, including five in the first three rounds, see this weekend as a big opportunity to improve their roster.
And while we all wait for the draft to get going, now is a great time to open up the mailbag and answer some questions from you, the fans. As always, thanks to everyone who asked questions this week, and apologies if I wasn't able to get to yours this time around. And remember, the mailbag is always open for submissions at Seahawks.com/mailbag.
For the most part, this is a draft-heavy mailbag, but let's lead it off with some fullback news.
Clay from Carson City, Nevada asks, "What are the most essential qualities of a good fullback in the NFL? Are there any players on the team who might already have these qualities?"
A: Among the most important traits for a fullback are toughness, versatility, and given roster limits, the ability to contribute on special teams. And in fact, there is a player who checks those boxes on Seattle's roster, one who played a bit of fullback last year, and that's Brady Russell. Before today, I'd have written tight end Brady Russell, but Russell is indeed switching positions to fullback this year.
That's a significant development for Russell and the Seahawks, because new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak has made it clear that, as was the case when he was in New Orleans, he expects fullback to be a significant role in Seattle's offense. The Seahawks can, of course, continue to add to that spot, but by switching Russell to fullback, it gives the Seahawks a viable option at that position heading into the offseason workout program.
Teigan from Port Angeles asks, "Do the Seahawks have a high chance of drafting an O-lineman in the first few rounds?" On a related note, Lil from Great Falls, Montana asks, "Will the Seahawks take an offensive lineman with their first pick?"
A: I would say it's very, very likely the Seahawks draft an offensive lineman, and quite possibly more than one, in this week's draft. That's not based on any inside info I have—trust me, I have none—but rather the fact that they've addressed that position group in each of general manager and president of football operations John Schneider's previous 15 drafts in Seattle, and used multiple picks on offensive linemen in all but six of those drafts. And I'd say there's a decent chance the Seahawks take a lineman in the first two days of the draft, because they've done that quite frequently as well, using 12 picks in Rounds 1, 2 or 3 on offensive linemen over those 15 drafts.
As Schneider has said quite frequently, reaching for need is how teams get in trouble in the draft, so there's no guarantee the Seahawks use their first pick, or even one of their first few, on a lineman, but I'd be very surprised if they don't add to that position group at some point.
Elijah from Vancouver, Washington asks, "Which side of the football, offense or defense, needs an upgrade? And if you had the first overall pick, which position would you take?" Lindsey from Salem, Oregon, also asks about position the Seahawks could be focusing on.
A: First off, if I'm ever in position to make the No. 1 pick, a lot will have gone very wrong, sort of an NFL front office designated survivor type situation, so let's hope that never transpires. But for the sake of this question, my answer would be that I'm taking the best player at No. 1, regardless of position. Forcing a pick for need, especially a pick as valuable as the No. 1 overall pick, is a great way to make a decision you'll come to regret down the road.
But since you asked about needs, a goal every team has going into the draft is to build a roster that doesn't have a lot of obvious needs, reducing the temptation to make those aforementioned mistakes of drafting for need instead of taking the best player. Schneider himself has noted that the offensive line, and interior line in particular, is something of a need, so we can point to that as one of the more immediate needs. But it's also worth remembering that, when teams are building their rosters, they're constantly looking into the future as well, so just about any position can be one of "need" if you starting to look at who is and isn't under contract in a year or two. For example, Devon Witherspoon and Riq Woolen give the Seahawks one of the best cornerback tandems in the NFL, so that doesn't look like a need in 2025, but with Woolen and Josh Jobe on deals that expire after this season, could the Seahawks draft a corner this week anticipating a need in 2026 and beyond? Of course.
@GooganH asks, "How much do you anticipate the Seahawks changing their draft strategy in the face of need, e.g., drafting an offensive lineman at 18 even though they have another player ranked higher on the board?"
A: I don't really anticipate them doing that at all. As Schneider has explained several times, need is built into the Seahawks' evaluation process, because, as he puts it, they're looking at how that player compares to whoever he might be competing with on the roster. So yes, need can be baked into a player's grade before it goes up on the draft board, but once the Seahawks set their board, I don't anticipate them straying from their grades to reach for need. Again, that's how bad decisions get made, and having been fortunate enough to spend time in the draft room for several of the Seahawks' recent drafts, including for every pick of the 2023 and 2024 drafts, I can tell from first-hand experience that the Seahawks do indeed stick to that board. It's not just some cliché GMs and coaches like to use in press conferences.
Washaun from Richmond Hill, Ontario asks about the backup QB spot, saying, "Will we use one of our later round picks on a quarterback?" And @wenfot asks, "Do you think the Seahawks will draft a quarterback this time?"
A: Continuing with the sticking-to-the-board conversation, the Seahawks have not had too many drafts fall their way when it comes to picking a quarterback, and in fact they've only selected two in Schneider's 15 drafts. He would love for that number to be higher, but again, he has tried to avoid reaching for a quarterback when there's a better player available at another spot. All of that being said, I think this could very well be the year the Seahawks draft a quarterback at some point, but I've said that in past years and it hasn't materialized, so we'll just have to wait and see. One thing Schneider did note this week is that adding Drew Lock to a quarterback room that already includes presumed starter Sam Darnold, Sam Howell and Jaren Hall gives the Seahawks a solid group at that spot, meaning if the draft doesn't fall the right way, the Seahawks won't feel like they have to pick a quarterback.
Conor from Federal Way asks, "Why don't we draft everyone at once, like a sneak attack?"
A: Ooh, bold strategy. I don't know if the league will allow that, but kudos for thinking outside the box, Conor.
Benjamin from Lincoln City, Oregon asks, "What do you think can improve with Seattle's defense?" Benjamin also submitted, "I Miss Marshawn Lynch," which is not, in fact, a question, but a very valid sentiment, nonetheless.
A: The Seahawks were playing really well on defense to finish the season, so I don't think they need to improve on a heck of a lot. Mike Macdonald would, of course, say they can always get better, and one thing he pointed to after the season was turnovers—the Seahawks' 18 takeaways ranked tied for 16th in the league last season. Whether those turnovers come as the result of more pressure on quarterbacks or more plays made in the secondary or just a bit more fumble luck—the Seahawks had several fumbles bounce right back into the hands of offensive players last year—getting more takeaways could help take the defense from being really good to truly elite.
Nicholas from Coram, New York asks, "Why do you think the Hawks traded DK?"
A: As Schneider explained last month, the Seahawks traded Metcalf because he asked to be traded. Going into the offseason, the Seahawks hoped to get a deal done to extend the Pro-Bowl receiver, who was headed into the final year of his contract, but before those negotiations could get going, Metcalf asked out, and as Schneider put it, the Seahawks want players who want to be here.
"There were discussions, DK and I were having a lot of personal discussions," Schneider said. "I thought we could fix it, handle it, whatever it was, and at the end of the day, it was a no, and he wanted to be traded. So we pivoted and moved forward. We want guys who want to be here, we want guys that believe in what we're doing, and for whatever reason or another, he just wanted to move on and get a fresh start."
Gail from Northampton, Pennsylvania asks, "When will the 2025 schedule be available?"
A: We don't know that yet, but based off recent years, mid-May would be a safe guess. The 2023 schedule came out on May 11, and last year it was on May 15. The reason there's not usually a firm date ahead of time is that putting together the schedule is a very complicated process, so it's usually being worked on and finalized right up until the week it is announced. So while there could be a target date in May that the league has in mind, they won't want to make that public until they're sure the schedule will be ready.
And speaking of the 2025 schedule…
@j-d-v.bsky.social asks, "What are the chances of the Seahawks playing in Dublin or London this year with Steeler and Jaguars on their schedule?"
A: I have no inside information on this, but as the questions notes, the Seahawks do have a pair of road games in 2025 against opponents who have already been announced as hosts of international games, the Jaguars, who play in London every season, and Steelers, who are playing the first game in Ireland this season. The success, in terms of fan interest and passion, of both of Seattle's previous international games (London in 2018, Munich in 2022), certainly doesn't hurt the Seahawks' chances of playing internationally again, nor does the fact that neither of those aforementioned teams are in Seattle's division (the NFL rarely has division opponents face off in a neutral setting because no team wants to give up an all-important divisional home game.)
We'll see what happens when the schedule comes out, again, likely in mid-May, but there's at least a shot with those two games on the schedule.
The Seahawks kicked off their offseason workout program on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 with an on-field workout and a lifting session at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Ty Okada (39) and safety Julian Love (20) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99), defensive end Mike Morris (94) and defensive tackle Kenneth Odumegwu (77) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Josh Jobe (29) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen (27) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence (0) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence (0) and defensive tackle Byron Murphy II (91) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence (0) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive tackle Byron Murphy II (91) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks nose tackle Jarran Reed (90) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Ty Okada (39) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety AJ Finley (30) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen (27) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Julian Love (20) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Jamie Sheriff (44) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety AJ Finley (30) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen (27) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Josh Jobe (29) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Josh Ross (47) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Jerrick Reed II (32) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Josh Ross (47) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Boye Mafe (53) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas (42) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety D'Anthony Bell (23) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Tyreke Smith (59) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Jerrick Reed II (32) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Ty Okada (39) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
The Seahawks participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tackle Michael Jerrell (65) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks guard Christian Haynes (64), tackle Michael Jerrell (65) and guard Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu (70) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks center Olu Oluwatimi (55) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks nose tackle Jarran Reed (90) and defensive tackle Byron Murphy II (91) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence (0) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end Brady Russell (38) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas (42) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jake Bobo (19) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end AJ Barner (88) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Kenny McIntosh (25) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end AJ Barner (88) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Drew Lock (6) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end AJ Barner (88) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive tackle Byron Murphy II (91) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Dareke Young (83), wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) and running back Zach Charbonnet (26) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen (27) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tackle Charles Cross (67) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Boye Mafe (53) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence (0) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tackle Abraham Lucas (72) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Julian Love (20) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Jerrick Reed II (32) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks guard Sataoa Laumea (63) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tackle Josh Jones (74) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tackle Michael Jerrell (65) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive tackle Byron Murphy II (91) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Kenny McIntosh (25) and running back Zach Charbonnet (26) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tackle Charles Cross (67) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV (13) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jake Bobo (19) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Dareke Young (83) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11), wide receiver Dareke Young (83) and wide receiver Cody White (82) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end AJ Barner (88) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end Eric Saubert (81) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Boye Mafe (53) and running back Kenneth Walker III (9) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence (0) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Drew Lock (6) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Kenny McIntosh (25) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Jaren Hall (15) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cody White (82) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) and tight end Brady Russell (38) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end AJ Barner (88) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end Brady Russell (38) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jake Bobo (19) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Drew Lock (6) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
The Seahawks participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
