The Seattle Seahawks had one of their best draft classes in recent memory in 2022, but did they just top it this weekend?
2025 Seattle Seahawks Draft Breakdown: A look at all 11 picks
Here’s a pick-by-pick look at how analysts are grading the Seahawks’ draft.
Grey Zabel, G, North Dakota State
When he was picked: First round, No. 18 overall
What they said: “He can play guard or tackle or center. The Seahawks were a disaster on the offensive line, so it works. Zabel showed well at the Senior Bowl, which helped elevate his draft stock, This works.”
What they said: “The selection that seemed to make too much sense to happen really came to fruition. Zabel has been seen for some time as the perfect fit for offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak’s scheme and a necessary salve for Seattle’s woes on the interior. This also marks John Schneider’s full retreat from his previous stance that the guard market was out of whack. But Zabel also could also be in for a rough introduction to the pros when he faces off against much more athletic defensive linemen who will try to jolt him backward.”
What they said: “Huge pick up for Seattle right here. The Seahawks have added a versatile guard who’s loaded with potential and can play a variety of spots up front. Zabel has good film, nailed the all-star game circuit and blew up the Combine. This is as clean as clean gets and he can fill guard or tackle for the Seahawks.”
What they said: “Like the Bengals, the Seahawks wanted to trade out. They couldn’t do so, but it’s probably for the best because it forced them to draft a talented offensive lineman to protect Sam Darnold. Grey Zabel was awesome at the Senior Bowl, and he can play every position. The Seahawks still need lots of help up front, but this was a nice start.”
Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina
When he was picked: Second round, No. 35 overall
CBS Sports’ grade: A
What they said: “What a tremendous selection here for Seattle. Big, uber-explosive safety and deceptive deep-coverage skills. Not just a box safety. Instincts and ball skills are awesome. Can take some bad angles to the roof. But crazy range. And on the draft pick trade chart, this was actually an underpayment. Fun for Mike Macdonald.”
USA Today’s grade: B+
What they said: “If the Seahawks had taken Emmanwori at 18, it likely wouldn’t have created a stir. Instead, Seattle trades up to secure the singularly athletic playmaker near the top of Round 2. Emmanwori needs to be a more controlled and reliable presence against the run, but he can unlock all sorts of coverage looks for Mike Macdonald and his mad scientist approach to defense.”
Yahoo Sports’ grade: C+
What they said: “Emmanwori doesn’t play up to his wild scouting combine performance, but has enough potential for someone like head coach Mike Macdonald to get the most out of him. I just don’t love trading up for a guy who doesn’t play like the baddest dude on the field, despite having those traits.”
Walter Football’s grade: A+
What they said: “When I heard that the Seahawks traded up to No. 35, Nick Emmanwori’s name immediately popped into my head. This is such a great fit. Emmanwori is the type of defensive back the Seahawks love, and he fills a huge need. Plus, he’s arguably the best player available. If the Seahawks drafted Emmanwori at No. 18, I would have graded that favorably!”
Elijah Arroyo, TE, Miami
When he was picked: Second round, No. 50 overall
CBS Sports’ grade: B+
What they said: “Enigmatic prospect because he didn’t workout pre-draft. Fluid and speedy at the TE spot. Plus receiver all around. Can run WR routes. Loose hips. Length and big hands but doesn’t play to his size in traffic and not a bouncy, contact-balance type. Like this for Sam Darnold. Seahawks are going to really work the middle of the field.”
USA Today’s grade: B-
What they said: “After bringing on Cooper Kupp alongside Jaxon Smith-Njigba and parting with both DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett, Seattle looked due for a pass catcher who could attack defenses downfield. Arroyo looks promised to take on that role as a player who will split out wide frequently and essentially be a tight end in name only.”
Yahoo Sports’ grade: B-
What they said: “Needs refinement, but Arroyo looks the part of a tight end. He’s a receiver first, who will be on the bench for the run. He is versatile as a pass catcher, who at times can serve as an isolated receiver.”
Walter Football’s grade: A
What they said: “The Seahawks lost two receivers this offseason, but didn’t really find a replacement because Cooper Kupp is nearing the end of his career. They needed to find another pass-catcher for Sam Darnold. A tight end definitely qualifies, and Elijah Arroyo provides good value as a prospect who could have possibly gone at the end of the opening round.”
Jalen Milroe, QB, Alabama
When he was picked: Third round, No. 92 overall
CBS Sports’ grade: A+
What they said: “Head coach Mike Macdonald had a front-row seat to a pair of Lamar Jackson MVP seasons in Baltimore, and Milroe is the closest athletic specimen we’ve seen to Jackson from a running perspective. Flashes of impressive strikes downfield and the arm strength is above-average. Needs to learn to make quicker decisions and find the check down more often, not always looking for the home run. I love this pick because it provides long-term insurance for Sam Darnold, and he won’t be asked to play right away of course.”
USA Today’s grade: A-
What they said: “With the selection Seattle received from the Geno Smith trade, the Seahawks take a shot at shaping their own quarterback future. With a rifle arm and scintillating running ability, Milroe has a ceiling that’s sky-high. It’s unclear if he’ll ever become refined enough as a passer to approach it, but this is the kind of gamble that a team without certainty behind center should be taking on Day 2.”
Yahoo Sports’ grade: B+
What they said: “This is a fun range for Milroe. He’s the most “what if?” player in this draft because of his supreme athleticism. Consistency, or lack thereof, is why he wasn’t a Day 1 pick.”
Walter Football’s grade: B
What they said: “Jalen Milroe over Shedeur Sanders is kind of insane. When Milroe was getting first-round buzz, I thought that would have been utterly awful. Milroe is a horrible passer right now, but he has upside and great mobility. He makes much more sense in the third round.”
Rylie Mills, DT, Notre Dame
When he was picked: Fifth round, No. 142 overall
CBS Sports’ grade: A-
What they said: “Mills has Zach Allen-like capabilities on the interior when healthy. Thick with high-energy style and active hands. Length is average for the position. Higher pad level hurts his power, yet the experience and refinement make him a ready-to-go interior player (once he’s nursed back to full health). I like this nasty type on Seattle’s defensive front.”
USA Today’s grade: B
What they said: “If not for an injury suffered during the College Football Playoff, Mills likely would’ve gone earlier in the draft. He’s a big presence on the line at 6-foot-5 and 296 pounds and plays with a high motor. His block-shedding abilities means he can likely line up at multiple spots on the defensive line. He’ll be at least a good rotational piece as a rookie with more down the line.”
Walter Football’s grade: C+
What they said: “Jalen Milroe over Shedeur Sanders is kind of insane. When Milroe was getting first-round buzz, I thought that would have been utterly awful. Milroe is a horrible passer right now, but he has upside and great mobility. He makes much more sense in the third round.”
Tory Horton, WR, Colorado State
When he was picked: Fifth round, No. 166 overall
CBS Sports’ grade: A
What they said: “Clear No. 1 across multiple seasons in college and excelled despite overload of attention. Tall and somewhat lanky with good, not great separation skill. Route-running salesmanship and quality hands. Big-time tester that showcases on vertical routes in college. Deceptively effective post-catch, where his vision and cutting skills shine. Tracks the ball awesomely even in traffic. Stellar snag here.”
USA Today’s grade: A
What they said: “Seattle signed Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Cooper Kupp in free agency but both are on the wrong side of 30. Horton had a strong showing at the combine and offers good size for a Z receiver of the future. His speed and ball tracking skills give him a high floor as he adjusts his strength and route running to the NFL.”
Walter Football’s grade: A-
What they said: “The Seahawks lost two receivers this offseason and didn’t really bring in anyone. Cooper Kupp was signed, but he’s old and decrepit. Tory Horton is a tall and fast receiver who could have gone earlier than this. I like this pick.”
Robbie Outzs, FB, Alabama
When he was picked: Fifth round, No. 175 overall
CBS Sports’ grade: C
What they said: “Sculpted, squatty-ish TE who moves like he’s much more sleek. Blocking speciality. Lacks burst and the speed required to become a quality pass-catcher at next level beyond schemed-up targets. Overly aggressive at times when attacking blocks, leading to whiffs. Strange pick here.”
USA Today’s grade: C-
What they said: “After taking a pass-catching tight end in Round 2, the Seahawks get a competitive run blocker in Ouzts. The Alabama product is a throwback player who loves to block hard and had just 21 career targets in college. That’s a nice skillset to have but feels like a reach at the end of Round 5.”
Walter Football’s grade: D
What they said: “The Seahawks lost two receivers this offseason and didn’t really bring in anyone. Cooper Kupp was signed, but he’s old and decrepit. Tory Horton is a tall and fast receiver who could have gone earlier than this. I like this pick.”
Bryce Cabeldue, G, Kansas
When he was picked: Sixth round, No. 192 overall
CBS Sports’ grade: C
What they said: “Cabeldue has great size, but offers positional flexibility. He can serve a variety of roles in a pinch, which is a desirable quality for any Day 3 offensive lineman. The Seahawks take two at a position of need: offensive guard.”
USA Today’s grade: A
What they said: “Cabeldue played tackle at Kansas but will likely end up on the inside at the NFL level due to his leaner frame (6-foot-4, 308 pounds) and shorter arms (33 1/4 inches). Still, he has impressive foot speed, good hand usage and a competitive streak to stick long-term. The Seahawks need all of the reinforcements they can get on the inside and this is a great value pick.”
Walter Football’s grade: A
What they said: “Bryce Cabeldue was a projected fourth- or fifth-round pick, so the Seahawks are getting good value with him. They’re also addressing an obvious need, given the troubles on the offensive line.”
Damien Martinez, RB, Miami
When he was picked: Seventh round, No. 223 overall
CBS Sports’ grade: A
What they said: “Martinez is runner with great size. He has shown improvement in pass protection and has been a patient running back when it comes to following his blocks. Fantastic value for Seattle.”
USA Today’s grade: A
What they said: “Seattle gets a great value pick in Round 7 with Martinez, who many thought would be off the board in Rounds 4 or 5. He’s a powerful, bruising runner who bowls through contact to get extra yards. Considering Kenneth Walker’s injury history, bringing in a physical running back to compliment him and Zach Charbonnet is a forward-thinking move.”
Walter Football’s grade: B+
What they said: “The Seahawks didn’t need a running back because they’re loaded at the position, but they couldn’t pass on this value. Damien Martinez easily could have gone in the fourth or fifth round.”
Mason Richmond, OL, Iowa
When he was picked: Seventh round, No. 234 overall
CBS Sports’ grade: C
What they said: “Significant college experience at left tackle. He has good length, but limited athleticism. There is a bit of stiffness in his motion.”
USA Today’s grade: C-
What they said: “Richman has NFL size at 6-foot-5 and 307 pounds but his shorter arms will likely move him to guard. He’s relatively quick off the snap but lacks the ideal athleticism to stick long-term at the position. He’ll be competing hard to be a depth piece for the Seahawks.”
Walter Football’s grade: B-
What they said: “Mason Richman tested poorly in workouts and wasn’t expected to be chosen in the 2025 NFL Draft. However, I can at least appreciate the Seahawks adding to their offensive line.”
Ricky White III, WR, UNLV
When he was picked: Seventh round, No. 238 overall
CBS Sports’ grade: B-
What they said: “White has been incredibly productive in college, but tested poorly during the pre-draft process. Given the presence of Jake Bobo, Seattle clearly does not take issue with that fact.”
USA Today’s grade: C+
What they said:“The Seahawks round out their draft with another wide receiver in White III. The UNLV product has ideal burst off the line and ran well at his pro day at 6-foot-1 and 181 pounds. He will need to bulk up to handle NFL defenders but has special teams potential as a rookie.”
Walter Football’s grade: B
What they said: “Ricky White was viewed as a late-round prospect, so it makes sense for the Seahawks to draft him. He’s a taller receiver, but his calling card was his great special teams play.”
Note: Yahoo Sports did not post pick-by-pick grades for Day 3 of the draft.
Seattle Seahawks and the NFL Draft
• Seahawks 2025 UDFA Tracker: Keep up with every reported signing
• Five additional things to know about Seattle Seahawks’ top pick Grey Zabel
• Stacy Rost: What does top pick Grey Zabel bring to Seattle Seahawks?
• Seattle Seahawks NFL Draft Tracker: Keep up on every pick and trade
• Why new Seattle Seahawks QB Jalen Milroe could see the field right away
• Seattle Seahawks Draft Reaction: Nick Emmanwori is ‘Swiss Army knife’ safety
