The Seattle Seahawks were one of the most active teams in the 2025 NFL Draft, as the franchise added 11 players to their roster and also made a few trades, including sending quarterback Sam Howell to the Minnesota Vikings.
Seattle addressed their pressing need for a guard in Round 1 with North Dakota State’s Grey Zabel, who will immediately step in as a starter. On Day 2, the Seahawks traded up in Round 2 to snag South Carolina safety Nick Emmanwori, used the No.50 overall pick on Miami tight end Elijah Arroyo, and made one of the most polarizing picks of the entire draft by selecting Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe in Round 3.
Day 3 was also eventful in Seattle, as they drafted seven players. Here is the full Seahawks 2025 draft class.
- Round 1, Pick 18: OL Grey Zabel, North Dakota State
- Round 2, Pick 35: S Nick Emmanwori, South Carolina
- Round 2, Pick 50: TE Elijah Arroyo, Miami
- Round 3, Pick 92: QB Jalen Milroe, Alabama
- Round 5, Pick 142: DT Rylie Mills, Notre Dame
- Round 5, Pick 166: WR Tory Horton, Colorado State
- Round 5, Pick 175: TE Robbie Ouzts, Alabama
- Round 6, Pick 192: OL Bryce Cabeldue, Kansas
- Round 7, Pick 223: RB Damien Martinez, Miami
- Round 7, Pick 234: OT Mason Richman, Iowa
- Round 7, Pick 238: WR Ricky White III, UNLV
Now, let’s take a look at how experts view Seattle’s class, which earned top marks.
Seahawks NFL draft grades
Vinnie Iyer, The Sporting News: A (Rank 1st)
Iyer: “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.”
Mel Kiper Jr., ESPN: A
Kiper Jr.: “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. 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. All in all, Schneider had a tremendous weekend, improving his roster in several areas. This class gets high marks.”
Chad Reuter, NFL.com: A-
Reuter: “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. he 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.”
Chris Trapasso, CBS Sports: A
Trapasso: “General manager John Schneider is quietly one of the best in the business when it comes to the draft. Zabel may take time to pop. Once he adds more weight, he can be an All-Pro center. I adored the aggressive move to get Emmanwori, whom I bet Mike Macdonald sees as Kyle Hamilton 2.0. Arroyo is a smooth seam-stretcher, and Milroe in Round 3 was a steal. Love him as a run-package type weapon early while serving as insurance behind Sam Darnold. Mills and Horton are two ready-go-players at defensive tackle (when healthy) and receiver. I like how Horton diversifies the receiver room with a classic outside target. Martinez is a young, thick running back with underrated elusiveness and contact balance. This was a sneaky-good draft for the Seahawks in this new chapter of the organization.”
Rob Rang, FOX Sports: A
Rang: “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.”
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