It’s hard to imagine what a whirlwind week it’s been for rookies across the NFL.

Consider that, probably 10 days ago, most of them had no idea what was next for them. 257 guys heard their name called, hundreds more signed free agent deals and then it was on to making a dream come true.

Making the roster for an NFL team.

Those sorts of things will come ahead with OTA’s, Minicamp and eventually training camp but the first get-together on the field is rookie minicamp which is wrapping up for the Seahawks.

Each of the drafted players met with local reporters after some of their practices, here’s what those guys had to say about the Seahawks and their first NFL experience:

1st round pick: Grey Zabel, guard

“Quick, surreal, whirlwind of emotions, super fun. Anything you could possibly think of, I mean it’s a lifelong dream to say you get drafted, let alone be drafted to the Seattle Seahawks. What a surreal experience this past week has been” Zabel said about that wild week of getting drafted and moving forward to his new home.

As for how important leadership is in the offensive line room, and how he plans to attack things moving forward?

“I would say sweat equity is number one. You never want to ask somebody to do something that you aren’t willing to do or haven’t done. I think in the offensive line room sweat equity plays a huge role in leadership and understanding you’ve got to put in the work, put in the time, to be able to lead. And then, understanding that you’re blocking for somebody else, you’re protecting somebody else. The highest level you can do that is making sure nobody touches your guy. I think in the offensive line room it’s a unique trait to have being a leader, but there are some great ones for sure.”

2nd round pick: Nick Emmanwori, defensive back

We called Emmanwori, the South Carolina product, a defensive back and not a safety because he will truly play so many positions for Mike Macdonald’s defense.

We could have just labeled him “weapon.”

That’s how the Seahawks will utilize his talents, no question, and they got their first taste of that in Seahawks blue this week.

“They threw a little bit at me. I was playing a little bit of every position, but football is football. I was out there just playing fast, competing and stuff” Emmanwori said, adding “Just like how it was when I transitioned from high school to college, from college to NFL. Things are a little bit more detailed, a little bit more fast-paced. But they’re taking things slow, rookie minicamp, trying to think take things one step at a time.”

2nd round pick: Elijah Arroyo, tight end

Speaking of “weapon” while Elijah Arroyo is listed as a tight end, he can be utilized in so many ways especially by a creative mind like Klint Kubiak.

Perhaps, he and 3rd round pick Jalen Milroe are a connection that will terrorize the NFC West for years to come. At the very last, they already have a chemistry.

“”Man, it was great. I love Jalen. I love the way he plays and feel like we’re going to have a good connection moving forward” Arroyo said adding “I can’t really explain it, I’m not a quarterback, but just the way he throws the ball, the way he moves, he has a chance to be an elite quarterback at the highest level.”

Speaking of Jalen..

3rd round pick Jalen Milroe, quarterback

Milroe offers a ton of potential both for the future and using his athletic ability to get on the field even sooner than that. The Seahawks absolutely got the most athletic quarterback in the draft and he can learn from veterans like Sam Darnold and Drew Lock.

That will all come, but on day one? It was about taking in the reality of making it to the NFL.

“It was a great feeling. When I walked on the field, I really just acknowledged where I was at. My parents made a joke, it’s like your first day of class today and they took a bunch of pictures after practice. But no, it’s definitely cool to be an NFL quarterback, to get my feet wet, get acclimated with everything. It was definitely a dream come true for sure” Milroe said.

Yes, it is a dream come true – but make no mistake, Milroe is here to work and help this team as quickly as possible.

“You’ve got to be smart, you’ve got to be smart at the core position, you’ve got to prepare. You’ve got to emphasize how much you love football and how much you care. Because if you care, it’s going to wear off on other guys because of your presence and when you communicate with the guys around, we communicate a play call. Also, understanding the operation, understanding the schemes or maneuvers, because we’re playing in NFL now. You’ve got to play on time, you’ve got to understand your assignment, it’s so important. Having that opportunity today and seeing that, I think that was something that was definitely evident when it comes to performing today.”

5th round pick Rylie Mills, defensive end

While Mills will need time to heel from an injury suffered in the College Football Playoff, there’s no question he has game-changing potential on defense and certainly would have been selected a couple rounds sooner if he was healthy.

The Seahawks are prepared to wait a little bit for a big reward later.

“Yeah, we’ve got a plan in place, I was actually going over today. I feel really confident on the team and the plan that’s in place. I feel like the staff here has been really great with helping me feel clear on what I’ve got to do” Mills said.

Even if he can’t take the field just yet, he can begin learning the signals and language of the offense, something he’s already accustomed to coming from a pro-style defense at Notre Dame.

“I was lucky enough that Coach (Al) Golden ran an NFL-style defense, so for me, a lot of the terms, a lot of things they’re doing here, stuff that I was able just to kind of translate over. That’s really helped me because here it’s coming really quick and there’s a lot of different calls and things that can happen. Having that experience in college and being able to carry it over has been really helpful.”

5th round pick Tory Horton, wide receiver

Another player that likely would have been selected much higher, if not for an injury recovery, is Tory Horton.

But Tory isn’t dwelling one bit on when he was selected and is very happy on where he landed.

“It’s a little bit of motivation knowing where I got picked, but God has his plans, and he knew that one of the teams that was top on my list was Seattle. So, all worked out in my favor. Congrats to all the guys that went before me, but mentally, I just feel like I could compete with the majority of those guys that went before, and I feel like I am one of the best in that draft. So, at the end of the day, it’s just motivation and I’ve just got to keep working.”

5th round pick Robbie Ouzts, fullback

Robbie is one of those guys who can do just about anything on the field. He played tight end at Alabama in college but the Hawks plan to utilize his 275 pound frame at fullback.

“There’s a lot. Coming from the tight end position, it’s a lot of different leverage. So, really changing my footwork up, kind of changing my attack angle on defenders, and learning to make decisions on the go instead of letting the defender come to me. So, there’s a lot there,” Robbie said. But he relishes the opportunity to help clear the way for the running backs.

“I love everybody here, it feels like home. Got a great group of guys in the running back room with Damien (Martinez) and all the rest of the boys, and it just kind of motivates you every day to come in and work for those guys.”

6th round pick Bryce Cabeldue, offensive line

Cabeldue comes in as a 6th round pick but at a major position of need. Certainly Zabel will start at one of the guard spots but the Seahawks are likely looking at an open competition with a lot of young players. For Cabeldue, he’s especially excited about working with new offensive line coach John Benton.

“He’s a really good coach. He really knows what he’s talking about in terms of technique and skill and how the play goes. Coming to a brand new offense, learning new techniques, learning new plays, he’s done a really good job demonstrating what we need to do play-wise, how we need to get that done technique-wise, and all around.”

7th round pick Damien Martinez, running back

This is a pick that’s easy to love because Martinez will remind you of some great Seahawks running backs of the past. He’s a bruiser with a big body but still has a ton of speed.

He is similar to former Seahawks starter Chris Carson and even told 12’s to get ready for “Beastmode 2.0”

In short, he’s coming to Seattle to make a major impact.

“How much of a team player I can be, special teams, other things like that. Playing without the ball, being a better teammate. Like you said, they watch plenty of tape, it’s the reason I’m here. So, just showing things that you don’t see on film.”

7th round pick Mason Richman, offensive line

The third and final offensive lineman the Seahawks selected in the 2025 NFL Draft. Richman sees this as an opportunity, given his versatility to help this team as quickly as possible.

“All three of us, I think we’re all kinda Swiss army. That’s what I keep hearing is just being able to play multiple positions. With all of us, I think playing left tackle, especially like Bryce (Cabeldue) today, I remember there’s a play and I think he’s trying to help me as much as he can because at tackle, you’re just trying to take advantage as you can, just work with the guards and stuff like that. But, maybe in his mind, he was just thinking tackle still, but we’ve all got to get used to it, whatever. So, I was playing a little tackle, and I know Grey (Zabel) was getting in some inside work and stuff. But, being a left tackle is important to a college team and very important to a pro team, obviously, and maybe the most important o-lineman. You may not touch the ball every play, but you’ve got to protect the quarterback’s blindside. I think we all take pride in protecting it and then also being a leader on o-line. So, should be fun being with those two.”

7th round pick Ricky White III, wide receiver

Speaking of versatility, yes Ricky is an accomplished receiver from UNLV but he’s also a standout special teams player that blocked four punts in college.

He’ll contribute any way he can, and saw it as a true honor to be a Seahawk this week. Ricky brought his parents, sisters, and girlfriend to town to watch him practice as an NFL player for the very first time.

“Just being on an NFL club, getting to practice in a facility like this, it’s a blessing really. Being out there and competing, learning new plays, meeting new guys, it’s a great feeling.”