After a 10-win campaign last season, there are plenty of reasons for optimism as the Seattle Seahawks embark on Year 2 of the Mike Macdonald era.

How two Seahawks rookie WRs could have big special teams impact

They added talent to an ascending defense that was a top-five unit over the second half of 2024. They brought in a new offensive coaching staff that should fit better with Macdonald’s overall vision. They had a highly productive and compelling NFL Draft, with a mix of filling needs and adding intriguing talent.

But despite all that, many national outlets still aren’t very high on Seattle in 2025.

ESPN has the Seahawks at No. 16 in its post-draft power rankings. NFL.com’s Eric Edholm has them at No. 19. And CBS Sports’ Pete Prisco has them all the way down at No. 27.

However, FOX Sports’ Colin Cowherd has a different perspective.

On Tuesday’s edition of “The Herd,” Cowherd predicted the Seahawks to reach the playoffs as a wild-card team this season. And during an appearance Wednesday on Seattle Sports’ Brock and Salk, Cowherd said the Seahawks could win multiple playoff games. He labeled Seattle as one of four teams in the NFC that are capable of achieving that feat.

“I think Seattle is capable of winning multiple playoff games,” Cowherd said. “I think Seattle can do it, the Rams can do it, Philly can do it, Detroit can do it. And that’s about it (in the NFC).

“I also think part of life is not just you ascending – it’s somebody else descending,” he added. “I think the Niners have peaked. I said it two years ago. They’re too old, brittle and expensive.”

‘I like Seattle this year a lot’

On “The Herd,” Cowherd said he thinks the Seahawks had the best draft of any team in the NFL. He also likes their defense, he views free agent signee Sam Darnold as a “B-plus” quarterback who’s capable of winning playoff games, and he likes that Seattle addressed its most glaring need by drafting offensive lineman Grey Zabel in the first round.

Cowherd also said he trusts general manager John Schneider’s personnel decisions and agreed with the move to trade away star wide receiver DK Metcalf.

“I just like their personnel,” Cowherd said. “The O-line needs to get better, no question, (but) they addressed that with their first pick. … So I think you get a rookie coach in his second year, you get more personnel that fits that rookie coach, and I just trust John (Schneider’s) picks and personnel decisions. I would have moved off DK Metcalf. I liked that move. So I just like what I see. … I like Seattle this year a lot.”

However, Cowherd predicts the Los Angeles Rams to beat out the Seahawks for the NFC West crown again. The Rams won the division title last year by virtue of a tiebreaker over Seattle.

Cowherd said the Rams check off four of the five boxes he looks at when trying to identify elite teams: an elite head coach (Sean McVay), an elite quarterback (Matthew Stafford), an elite offensive weapon (Puka Nacua) and an elite defensive lineman (Jared Verse). The only box he doesn’t think they check off is an elite left tackle.

“At the five key positions, four of the five (the Rams) are elite,” Cowherd said. “I don’t think Seattle’s in that class.”

Listen to the full conversation with FOX Sports’ Colin Cowherd at this link or in the audio player near the middle of this story. Tune in to Brock and Salk weekdays from 6 to 10 a.m. or find the podcast on the Seattle Sports app.

Seattle Seahawks news and analysis

• Stanback explains challenge Seahawks QB Jalen Milroe faces in NFL
• Why TE Elijah Arroyo is Seattle Seahawks’ ‘most intriguing’ rookie
• Seattle Seahawks to explore training with virtual reality headsets
• Wyman’s biggest takeaway from Seattle Seahawks rookie camp
• News, notes and observations from Seattle Seahawks rookie minicamp