Month: April 2025 (Page 4 of 5)

It’s no surprise the Seahawks have an official-30 visit scheduled with LSU tight end Mason Taylor. Even with Noah Fant contracted for another year and with AJ Barner having a decent rookie season, it feels like this is a potential target position in the draft.

As John Boyle noted on Twitter this week, under Klint Kubiak the Saints ran 480 snaps in 12, 22 and 13 personnel last season. That’s compared to 202 snaps for the Seahawks under Ryan Grubb.

It’s not just a question of snaps. Anyone who’s tracked the game for any length of time will have noticed how important the tight end position is in the Mike/Kyle Shanahan offense. Although Fant is a former top-20 pick himself with a decent athletic profile, he feels very much like a draft hedge rather than a clear answer for this position.

So what might be the plan for the draft?

At #18 they’re likely to be on the outside looking in for the top two players — Tyler Warren and Colston Loveland. There are Seahawks fans online that have allowed themselves to believe Loveland will last to #18 — in part because sections of the media have underestimated his standing.

Some teams have him graded higher than Warren. Both players are among the top handful of players in the draft. I’d fully expect both to be gone by the time the Colts pick at #14.

The second tier at the position includes two more players — Elijah Arroyo and Taylor. Both should go in the top-40 but would arguably be a reach at #18.

That creates a dilemma. Seattle is outside of the range to get any of the quartet.

So will they trade up from either #18 or #50?

I’m guessing the idea of moving up for a tight end won’t sit well with many given the positional value. Again though, in this offense the tight end may end up effectively being your first or second best weapon.

I think the latest Warren will last is pick #10 and Chicago. Loveland’s floor is likely the Colts at #14. Let’s say both players are on the board when the Bears are on the clock. They don’t own a fourth round pick and may be interested in acquiring extra stock.

Per the draft trade chart, pick #50 would get you from #18 to #10. To move above the Colts, you’d have to give up #82 and probably your 2026 third rounder to get to #13.

It’d be a steep price either way but there’s something else to consider other than the potential desire to add an elite tight end to the offense.

This is a draft class with very few ‘legit’ first round players. Warren and Loveland fit the bill. Let’s look at how both players are ranked according to some of the draft pundits online:

Daniel Jeremiah — Warren #5, Loveland #6

Mel Kiper — Warren #7, Loveland #11

Todd McShay — Warren #5, Loveland #8

Lance Zierlein — Warren #4, Loveland #5

In my revised rankings I think they’re the fifth and sixth best players in the draft.

Zierlein grades Warren as a 6.77 and Loveland and as 6.70. The next highest graded player is given a 6.50. According to his tape study, there is a significant drop in talent once they leave the board, along with Ashton Jeanty, Abdul Carter and Travis Hunter.

The Seahawks have not had an opportunity to draft a player with that level of grading in a long time. Here are their most recent first round picks and their grades according to Zierlein:

Charles Cross — 6.44
Devon Witherspoon — 6.47
Jaxon Smith-Njigba — 6.43
Byron Murphy — 6.48

If they last to #10 it will not be down to talent. It’ll be down to perceived positional value and/or need.

This could be an opportunity to add a legit player to the roster that otherwise wouldn’t last until #18. You could make Warren or Loveland your immediate focal point in the passing game with Smith-Njigba.

One other thing to note is the trade chart isn’t always adhered to strictly. In 2023 the Steelers moved from #17 up to #14 and it only cost them a fourth rounder (#120). New England should’ve expected 150 points back from Pittsburgh in the deal, instead they only got 54.

Is it beyond the realms of possibility the Seahawks could use one of their two third round picks to move up the board and still keep their two second rounders? I wouldn’t rule it out.

The other possibility is that you trade up from #50 to try and get Arroyo or Taylor. I think Arroyo is an ideal fit in every way for this offense. He might go in the late first round. If he lasted to pick #35, you could use #92 and one of your two fifth round picks to move up from #50.

It’s just something to file away in the back of your minds. With five picks in the first two days the Seahawks can be aggressive if they want to be.

If you missed my latest Puck Sports show this week check it out below. Please give the video a like on YouTube if you can and leave a comment…

Please give the video a like on YouTube if you can and leave a comment…

Will Howard makes a big impression

Jon Gruden brought back the ‘Gruden QB Camp’ series this year. It’s longer, more detailed and comes with a harder edge this time. The first episode is with Will Howard. I dare anyone to watch it and not come away thoroughly impressed with the Ohio State quarterback.

You can check it out by clicking here.

Being on the show can be a stressful experience. Gruden barks out different plays, audibles, what he wants the quarterback to say and do in the huddle. There’s a ton of information thrown at Howard and yet he processes it all with ease.

Throughout the episode Gruden looks across the table at him like a proud father. There’s a glint in his eye. He clearly liked his ability to take on the information and he liked his cadence.

A couple of people in the NFL world have said to me they think Howard is the most pro-ready quarterback in the draft. His football IQ is said to be off the charts and you see that clearly evidenced in this episode.

I asked one person not known for dishing out praise to quarterbacks what he thought Howard’s range is. He initially said second round, then suggested he might even sneak into the late first. I was taken aback because this individual is usually hard to please.

If this is what he’s displaying to teams it won’t be a surprise frankly. Howard doesn’t have the physical upside to project he’ll be an athletic marvel at the next level. He’s pretty good across the board though — as a passer, a runner and getting the ball out quickly under pressure.

He can be a very capable point guard. Not necessarily someone who you put the game on his back and ask him to out-gun Patrick Mahomes on the road but certainly someone who can lead an offense, manage a game and make enough plays to sustain drives and put points on the board.

Look at what he did in the playoffs. His QBR over the four games was 96.4. That’s virtually perfect. Ohio State were 50% on third down conversions. When the pressure was at its highest, he delivered in a big way.

A lot of young quarterbacks simply cannot process the way Howard does in that Gruden video. They drown in the jargon and complexity of it all. Howard looks like he’s learned the NFL language already and can pick things up pretty quickly.

This is half the battle. It’s why young quarterbacks fail. They go into their first camp and can’t process the information or execute. The entire rest of the roster then looks at them with a feeling of ‘this guy doesn’t know what he’s doing’. Imagine knowing the whole team thinks that, you go in the next day, and you’re no better. So many young quarterbacks look great in college with their half-field reads and easy play-calls with everything set up for them to execute. What you see in the Gruden video is life in the NFL — and it’s so frickin different to college. It takes no effort to imagine why so many young quarterbacks find their careers are over before they even begin.

Howard might not have the physical tools to ‘wow’ anyone but if you draft him, he’s walking into camp with a grasp of what’s going on. He will engineer immediate buy-in and respect. His pathway to competency and comfort within the league will be far shorter. This matters.

One other thing to note. A few weeks ago I wrote a piece detailing the quarterbacks in this draft class with a 2024 QBR over 80:

Cam Ward — 88.0
Dillon Gabriel — 86.5
Kurtis Rourke — 85.7
Jaxson Dart — 84.7
Will Howard — 83.0
Jalen Milroe — 82.8

Here’s a list of all the players between 2021-2024 with a QBR above 80 and where they were drafted:

Jayden Daniels — First round
Bo Nix — First round
JJ McCarthy — First round
Michael Penix Jr — First round
Caleb Williams — First round
Kenny Pickett — First round
CJ Stroud — First round
Bryce Young — First round
Mac Jones — First round
Justin Fields — First round
Zach Wilson — First round
Trevor Lawrence — First round
Kyle Trask — Second round
Hendon Hooker — Third round (injury)
Matt Corral — Third round (character flags)
Ian Book — Fourth round (physical limitations)

We know Cam Ward is going in the first round and there’s a reasonable chance Jaxson Dart will too. Kurtis Rourke won’t be a high pick but his stock will be heavily impacted by his knee surgery. Dillon Gabriel may be a mid-round pick due to his size.

Then you’ve got Howard and Jalen Milroe.

It’s been revealed Milroe has been invited to the draft in Green Bay, leading to speculation that he might go earlier than expected. Well, if the list above is anything to go by, the fact he has a QBR over 80 makes it quite likely he’ll be a high pick — whether he succeeds at the next level or not.

Howard will go earlier than people expect too. There is a definite trend here with the +80 QBR ratings. Put that with his playoff performance, football intelligence and pro-readiness and he is destined to be a higher pick that most realise.

Ty Robinson, Jared Wilson & Jalen Milroe are visiting the Seahawks

According to Tony Pauline, the Nebraska lineman will make the trip to Seattle.

Tony cites league sources who believe he can be a more athletic version of Cam Heyward. I can see it. Robinson lacks Heyward’s length but they have a very similar playing style and demeanour. The projection is a potential late second round range.

He also has the kind of personality the Seahawks love. If you missed my interview with him, check it out here.

I think he could be very much on Seattle’s radar to add to their defensive line rotation. He’d be an excellent pick in the mould of the old-school AFC North teams.

Wilson is an almost identical prospect to Erik McCoy, who excelled at center under Klint Kubiak in New Orleans. He is definitely a name to keep an eye on for day two.

Meanwhile, Milroe is also making an official-30 visit to the Seahawks. He’s the second confirmed quarterback visit after Tyler Shough. It speaks to the team doing as much due diligence as possible on this class. Drafting a quarterback at some stage is a possibility.

Milroe as a passer and a processor is an absolute mile off where he needs to be. As an athlete and a runner though he’s dynamic. I’m not sure you can develop the passing side of his game to a good enough level. However, Mike Macdonald has seen first-hand what a quality running quarterback can do. Milroe also has excellent character. He’s just such a frustratingly limited passer.

Here are all of Seattle’s publicly confirmed official visits so far:

Nick Emmanwori
Tyler Shough
Savion Williams
Bryce Cabeldue
Chase Lundt
Shavon Revel Jr
Mason Taylor
Mykel Williams
Ty Robinson
Jalen Milroe
Jared Wilson

Will the Seahawks trade up in round two?

It’s something we’ve discussed a fair bit over the last couple of weeks. I looked at an idea where they traded up for an offensive lineman. Chad Reuter posted a mock draft where the Seahawks moved up for a quarterback.

Could it be for a tight end potentially?

Tom Pelissero reports that they’re having LSU’s Mason Taylor in for an official visit. He and Elijah Arroyo are both in a tier that should see them taken anywhere between 25-45. Seattle’s new offense will only be at its absolute best with a dynamic pass-catching tight end on the roster.

Arroyo, for me, is the best fit assuming Colston Loveland and Tyler Warren don’t last to #18. If Arroyo goes earlier than expected (I don’t think the late first is out of the question) that could leave Taylor as their best bet to get an ideal tight end fit this off-season.

Noah Fant is effectively acting as a draft hedge at the moment but there’s nothing locking him on to the roster.

It wouldn’t be a surprise if the Seahawks are eyeing up their options at the top of the second round. Look at it this way. If they have players projected to go in the top-38 who are graded far higher than the players at #50, plus they think pick #92 comes after a significant shelf in talent, why wouldn’t they consider giving up that late third-rounder to move up?

Thanks to ‘Golden Hawk’ on Twitter for reminding me of this quote from John Schneider recently:

“Initially, you’re like, ‘Yeah, we’re going to take five really good players. But then you get in a situation where it’s like, ‘All right, that guy’s a starter, we should probably move to go get him.”

They might have a few targets in mind, including possibly Taylor.

More praise for Emeka Egbuka

Another day, another person lavishing praise on the Ohio State receiver. This time it’s Fox Sports’ Joel Klatt:

 
Firstly, it’s another pundit grading/ranking him as a top-20 talent in this class. It’s further evidence that he won’t be a reach if the Seahawks take him at #18.

Secondly, it’s another total validation of the argument I’ve been making about his fit in Seattle. What Klatt describes in that video is the kind of person the Seahawks want to draft. They have a Tyler Lockett sized hole on the roster — another player they felt led the way as an ideal Seahawk. Egbuka coming in and providing that same level of consistency, maturity and presence would be a big thing.

He’s not the only one who can do it. I know Malaki Starks has a similar reputation. So does Tyler Booker. Matthew Golden is well liked at Texas, as is Donovan Ezeiruaku at Boston College. These are the kind of prospects they are typically drawn to. Unless players like Colston Loveland or Jahdae Barron unexpectedly fall, it could be that they pick from the names I just listed.

Nick Emmanwori an unlikely option?

Bob McGinn’s scouting sources are regularly mocked on Twitter but as someone who has tracked his series for years, I have to say more often than not you learn a lot from what his articles say. They’re also pretty good at projecting range.

Here’s what his sources said about South Carolina safety Emmanwori:

“There’s some inconsistency and possible character issues. More like football immaturity.”

“He’s naturally contrarian to most everything. He’s got top-20 talent but there’s some bells and whistles that come with him. Just be sure you know. He can probably fray some things. You’ve got to have somebody to deal with the personality. They say this guy is so strong-willed, if you get him onto your side he’ll save the world. If he is opposed to your views he’ll burn the world down.”

This is probably why they had him in for an official-30 visit. They’re doing further background checks on Emmanwori the person, trying to learn more about him.

I’m not convinced they’re going to draft him given that second quote above. They just moved on from two headaches this off-season, do they want to dive head-first into another? Especially when there are players in this draft with similar or better grades who will provide A+ character. I can’t see it.

On Friday I noticed a five-round mock draft by Chad Reuter. It actually reflects what I think could be a realistic scenario for the Seahawks.

Round 1 — Emeka Egbuka (WR, Ohio State)

Having spent the last week talking about why this is plausible, I don’t think I need to add anything here. This is the second mock after my own projecting Ebuka to #18. He is the quintessential Seahawks-type draft pick.

Round 2 — Quinn Ewers (QB, Texas)

Here’s where it gets interesting. Reuter has the Seahawks trading up 15 spots in round two, going from #50 to #35. They give the Titans #92 (the pick acquired from the Raiders for Geno Smith) and their 2026 third rounder. They also get back pick #141 (the third pick in round five).

Let’s park individual opinions on Ewers for a moment and talk about the projection. I’ve been saying for a long time that it wouldn’t surprise me if John Schneider really liked Ewers. He’s young enough to draft and develop. Can I imagine him trading up to get him? Maybe.

If Schneider really believes in him and felt it was necessary to move up, two third rounders (while getting a fifth back) isn’t a steep price for a shot at a long-term solution at quarterback. The internet will explode if it happens — but it’s a worthwhile talking point pitched by Reuter.

I noted last week that there’s at least some feeling within the league that Will Howard will go earlier than people think. It could be that we see quarterbacks come off the board between picks 33-45.

Round 2 — Shavon Revel Jr (CB, East Carolina)

I really rate Revel Jr and he would’ve been a first round pick without the injury. I like his physicality, his mental make-up and his playing style. The Seahawks are clearly intrigued as he’s one of their official-30 visits.

I don’t think Riq Woolen is for long in Seattle. I can well imagine he isn’t on the roster this time next year, one way or another. Revel Jr’s understanding of scheme and the technical intricacies of his position when speaking during interviews is impressive. He’s clearly dedicated to his craft in a way Mike Macdonald will like, with a gritty backstory to boot. He could easily be one of Seattle’s key second round targets.

Round 3 — Cameron Williams (G/T, Texas)

I don’t think it’s unrealistic at all that Seattle’s first O-line pick could come in round three. There are players who fit the zone blocking scheme very well who will be available in this range and beyond. This includes Charles Grant, Wyatt Milum, Chase Lundt, Jack Nelson, Logan Brown, Connor Colby, Bryce Cabeldue and Williams, who Reuter pairs with Seattle here.

His tape at right tackle was awful at times in 2024, although he was carrying an injury at the end of the season. We have no testing numbers as a consequence to gauge foot-speed and get-off (burst) which is problematic. However, Williams is a very serious individual with some good zone blocking moments on tape. His best fit is to kick inside to guard rather than protecting the edge.

Round 4 — Drew Kendall (C, Boston College)

Again, this is an approach I can well imagine the Seahawks taking. Kendall has some of the athletic qualities you look for in a good zone blocking center. He ran a 4.51 short shuttle and a 5.05 forty at 308lbs. He’s well known for his toughness and intelligence.

Drew Dalman, another former fourth round pick, ran the exact same short shuttle time but was 10lbs lighter. Kendall could provide a very similar player at a much more palateable price. People will hate waiting until rounds three and four to draft linemen but this isn’t unrealistic.

Round 5 — Cody Simon (LB, Ohio State)

It makes sense for the Seahawks to add to their linebacker depth at some point. Even if Ernest Jones Jr and Tyrice Knight are locked in as starters, there’s no depth behind them. This is about the range where Simon deserves to go, although some have him graded higher. He defends the run well and he was impressive in Ohio State’s second game against Oregon.

Round 5 — Craig Woodson (S, California)

As with Simon, this is the kind of range I’d expect Woodson to go and he provides another safety option (something they need to address). I enjoyed his tape in a ‘solid if unspectacular’ kind of way. His testing was decent and he’s reasonably sized. He defends the run well and can play up at the line.

Round 5 — Thomas Fidone (TE, Nebraska)

The key to a tight end with pro-upside is a strong 10-yard split and good agility. Fidone ran a 1.57 split, a 4.29 shuttle and a 7.01 three-cone. He fits the bill. He’s a player they can easily add into the rotation in year one and try to develop into a contributor down the line. I like Fidone more than I liked AJ Barner a year ago.

So there we go. I have to say, this is the best attempt at a realistic Seahawks mock by a national writer I’ve seen in a long time. It doesn’t mean I agree with the decisions. There are also other players I’d select ahead of those paired with Seattle. However, this is very much the kind of draft class I can imagine the Seahawks having.

If you watched my stream a week ago (click here if you didn’t) you will know why I’ve shaped the conversation a certain way over the last few days. As I said at the time, I’m not an insider. Yet after 20 years of doing this blog, you’d be surprised who you come into contact with.

None of the information I receive is specific to the Seahawks. It’s always general to the draft class. One of the things discussed in the stream was the relative ‘meh’ feeling about the offensive linemen in round one. Another thing was discovering just how highly regarded Emeka Egbuka is. There’s a lot of other info I’d recommend checking out in the video.

This shaped my latest mock draft with the Seahawks taking Egbuka at #18 as a ‘quintessential’ Seahawks type player, then waiting on the offensive line.

It makes further sense given Daniel Jeremiah and Mel Kiper moved Egbuka up to 17th and 18th respectively on their big boards. Tony Pauline reported a feeling within the league that the Seahawks could go receiver at #18. Numerous mocks are projecting that idea.

I don’t think it’s ‘nailed on’ by any stretch. There are a handful of players that fit, as we’ve discussed, not just Egbuka. Malaki Starks, Donovan Ezeiruaku and Grey Zabel to name three. Matthew Golden is an alternative receiver option.

With the Colts, Cardinals and Bengals all needing an offensive lineman, there’s a chance Zabel won’t last. In that situation, the Seahawks will probably have no choice but to pivot. They cannot reach. They should not reach. They will take the best player on their board.

Even if Zabel is available, it is not 100% clear that the Seahawks will view him as a player worthy of #18. Some evaluators think that is too high.

I don’t get the sense there’s any panic among the front office about the offensive line — whether you think there should be or not. Seattle’s ability to build a great line will not rely solely on first round picks, especially in a draft where the high-pick options are not great. As we’ve also discussed, good ‘zone blocking’ fits will be available on days two and three.

As someone who has been critical of the Seahawks in the past, having spoken about the need to fix the O-line as a priority, I’m comfortable with the situation. I would hope that means something. I don’t carry water for the team or the GM. I’ve studied this draft rigorously and paired with information from my sources, I think reaching for certain linemen would be unwise. Equally, after studying the free agent options, I think the Seahawks did the right thing in targeting Will Fries, concluding the Vikings offer was not worth beating, then accepting the situation. The other options were not great or universally rated, so throwing good money at bad or average players would’ve been a bad idea.

I appreciate some people don’t want to hear this. They want to say it’s the same old Seahawks — as if they’ve been deliberately avoiding the offensive line need as part of their philosophy. They aren’t. I’m 100% sure they’d love nothing more than to draft an exceptional offensive lineman at #18.

If that player isn’t there, what can you do?

It’s no different really than demanding the team drafts an outstanding franchise quarterback. These players are rare. You can’t take a QB just because, then expect them to be great. It’s no different with offensive linemen. The player has to be worth the pick, based on your evaluation.

There are very few elite guards and centers in the NFL. That’s the reality.

The best center in the NFL was a late second round pick (#63 overall). PFF’s top-five from 2024 also included a fourth rounder and another second rounder. Cam Jurgens was a second rounder and so was Landon Dickerson. The top-10 guards include a third rounder from UW-Whitewhater, a fourth round converted left tackle and an undrafted player from Western Kentucky.

The prize free agent guard everyone wanted before he was franchised, Trey Smith, was a sixth round pick.

As much as we all want the Seahawks to fix this issue, John Schneider, nor anyone else, can create supply to match demand. ‘Just take or pay a lineman’ is not a reasonable request. You have to play the cards you are dealt, in free agency and the draft.

Have mistakes been made in the past? Yes, absolutely. But people sometimes act like the Seahawks were the only team to pass on Humphrey. In reality, the entire league passed on him twice. The entire league allowed Dickerson and Jurgens to reach round two. The entire league allowed Quinn Meinerz to last until round three. The entire league allowed Smith to reach round six.

This is one of the trickiest units to build and the Seahawks are not alone. You might want to continue to discuss Seattle’s misses of yesteryear when reflecting on whether the Seahawks will get it right in 2025. All I’d say is, for me, they’ve just executed one of the most effective and impressive off-seasons in a long while, a year after hiring a talented young Head Coach and now pairing him with an intriguing, experienced offensive staff.

I think the GM deserves an opportunity to show what he can do with this draft class and the coaching staff deserve an opportunity to work with the group they take on.

It might be slow progress. But let’s not act like a quick fix was available. When the Chiefs revolutionised their O-line in 2021, they didn’t just draft Humprhey. They had the opportunity to spend major money on a proven, elite player in Joe Thuney. They had the opportunity to trade a first round pick for Orlando Brown Jr. They found Smith in the sixth round. We’d all love that kind of off-season for the Seahawks — but elite 20-something guards were not available, no peak-year linemen were available via trade and they’ve not had the opportunity to draft anyone yet.

Nobody should expect two home-runs like the Chiefs did with Humphrey and Smith. That’s rare. Brett Veach deserves all the credit in the world — but he’s also the GM who traded up for Patrick Mahomes. It isn’t surprising. What does emulating Veach and the Chiefs look like?

For the offensive line, it doesn’t mean forcing a pick at #18. If a lineman isn’t worth drafting in that range, it means finding the player worth having in the late second and the hidden gem on day three.

At quarterback, it means creating a good bridge (Alex Smith) and waiting for the right moment to strike on the future (Mahomes).

If anything, I think the Seahawks are following this approach.

I know what the reaction will be if they don’t take a lineman at #18. People will immediately start ranting, raving and complaining. I don’t think this will be justified.

I want to play two clips from Mike Mayock this week. Firstly, here’s a video of him discussing the receivers. He believes there are four potential first rounders. Note he included Egbuka as part of the four:

 
Then, he was asked about the offensive linemen. Without prompting he brought up the Seahawks — discussing their needs at receiver and the O-line and how they might go about addressing both. Note, he speaks about the underwhelming nature of the offensive line draft class in round one (the same thing my sources shared) and he also says the options after the top-four receivers aren’t that appealing:

 
Mayock states there are better interior options on day two and wonders whether they might go receiver first, then look at the O-line. He talks about them having the flexibility of trading up. I don’t think it’d be round one like he suggests — but round two is more likely to get a linemen they really like.

Remember a year ago? They tried to trade back into round two to get Cooper Beebe. They drafted Christian Haynes when they couldn’t. It’s entirely possible they trade to trade up from #50 this year if a plug-and-play starting left guard is within striking distance.

Or maybe they just stick and pick? The official visit of Shavon Revel Jr — a perfect scheme fit at cornerback — speaks to their willingness to possibly continue to go BPA in round two and potentially rely on the attractive offensive line options for zone-blocking later on, such as Chase Lundt.

There’s also a final point from Andrew Siciliano about the lack of commitment to Sam Darnold and how they might look to draft a quarterback, something Mayock nods along to. This is also a possible option with any of their first five picks.

This is a very interesting draft for the Seahawks. They can further shape the future under Mike Macdonald. They don’t have to force picks. They’ll be best served drafting the best players available. Fans and media will hate it. I hope that isn’t the case. This is a great opportunity to make the roster better and they deserve not to be judged after one day of the draft if they don’t take a lineman at #18.