Here is my final Horizontal Board ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft. I have scouted, reviewed, discussed and revised 308 players in total, with work starting last summer.

Click the image below to enlarge:

What the board shows

You can see I have only eight ‘legit’ round one grades (would go in round one any year) and 31 grades in the second tier. This emphasises the point a lot of people have made about this class. Once you get to about pick #8-11 — the grading difference to the player at #35 is going to be minimal. As such, we might see teams lean on need and/or focus on premium positions once we get out of the top-10.

This is also important when you consider trading up. For example, can the Seahawks move up a few spots from #18 to get to one of the few legit first round talents? Alternatively, if their board was anything like mine, can they go from #50 to an area around #35-38 where they can secure a player in the second tier?

I have 56 players graded in the first two rounds. This doesn’t include any quarterbacks. Therefore, the chances are the Seahawks can get reasonable value with their selections. As noted though, it’s whether they can get even more value with a little bit of aggression in the trade market.

In total I have 131 players graded in the first three rounds. This highlights why so many people are saying picks in the rounds 2-4 range are valuable. A note of caution though — I don’t take players off my board for character or medical reasons. Teams do. We might be talking about 20-30 players who don’t pass medicals or have character red flags. For example, I wouldn’t draft the likes of Mike Green, Walter Nolen or James Pearce Jr. There are legit injury concerns surrounding Jihaad Campbell’s labrum surgery, while others — such as Kevin Winston Jr — haven’t played much football due to injury.

Here’s the breakdown in grading:

Legit R1 grades — 8
R1/2 — 31
R2 — 17
R2/3 — 27
R3 — 47
Day three — 119
Late round — 46
Total players on the board — 308

Positional breakdowns

Quarterbacks

This isn’t a group where you rush to take anyone early. It’s another class of second or third rounders at best that will likely get bumped up. That said, there’s going to be a middle class. There are going to be players between #50-100 where you can justify bringing them in and seeing if you can develop them. We haven’t had that for a while. I do think the Seahawks will likely draft a quarterback this year but I wouldn’t expect it to be a high pick. I wouldn’t draft any of these QB’s in round one.

I think Will Howard will go earlier than people expect. His analytics are aligned with going early, he was nearly flawless in the college football playoffs and I think some teams will fall for his pro-readiness, application and above-average physical tools. I think he could easily go in round two.

There are no obvious future franchise quarterbacks this year.

Running backs

It’s undoubtedly a deep class but I don’t think it’s as good at the top-end as people have made out. Ashton Jeanty might be the pound-for-pound most talented player in the draft. Omarion Hampton is a justifiable top-40 pick. After that, I’m not sure there’s much to get excited about. This is more about value, where players can be taken in the middle or later rounds and legitimately contribute to your roster. I don’t think it’s a star-studded group.

There’s a chance the Seahawks will take someone later on but truth be told, they can perhaps wait until the very end of the draft or even UDFA. They’ve invested in the position and I’m not sure anyone here is going to knock their guys down the depth chart.

Wide receivers

There isn’t anyone I’d draft in the top-10. I think Emeka Egbuka is the best in the draft with the potential to be Amon-Ra St. Brown or Chris Godwin at the next level. He is regarded as having elite character and being ‘the man’ at Ohio State, despite playing on a loaded roster. I would imagine he is in contention at #18. Matthew Golden could also be on Seattle’s radar but I’m underwhelmed by Tetairoa McMillan.

Round two might be limited to Jack Bech and Jayden Higgins (I really like Bech and think he could be a good alternative to the top tight ends if you want a chess-piece target). The middle round options are attractive, with the likes of Kyle Williams, Tory Horton, Tai Felton and others potentially providing value. There’s also a decent collection of day three picks.

The Seahawks do need to add a pass-catching weapon in this draft. Whether it’s a receiving tight end or a wide receiver, they need more.

Tight ends

You have two excellent prospects at the top end in Tyler Warren and Colston Loveland. They are different players but I think you can funnel your passing game through both players. They need to improve their blocking but it won’t be down to a lack of effort. In this draft class, which is significantly light on blue-chippers, I think they both deserve to be taken in the first ten picks.

The #3 and #4 tight ends also carry a lot of appeal. I think Elijah Arroyo and Mason Taylor could find a home in the late first round. Arroyo has dynamic receiving qualities and can be a true mismatch weapon. He can be one of the better players to come out of this class in my opinion. Taylor is more conventional in his approach but he’s smooth, consistent and extremely solid.

There is some depth at the position and I’m sure you can make a case for a Terrance Ferguson in round three but I think the Seahawks would be better served targeting the top-four if they can, with trading up an option. If not, add to the group on day three where there’s depth to be had.

It is worth noting that over the years tight ends who excel in agility testing and the 10-yard split tend to have good careers. Many of this class didn’t test. The following did and worked their way into the ideal category for profile: Jalin Conyers, Harold Fannin Jr, Thomas Fidone, Mason Taylor.

Offensive tackles

I don’t think this is a good offensive tackle class. For that reason, we might see players come off the board quickly to avoid missing out — with teams using the D-line depth to their advantage on day two.

Josh Simmons is the best left tackle prospect but he has injury and character concerns. Armand Membou’s maturity has been questioned by multiple people recently, although his explosive testing results speak to his upside. I was not excited by Kelvin Banks Jr or Will Campbell. We might see the surprisingly athletic Aireontae Ersery go in round one. Josh Conerly Jr could also land in the first frame if there’s a rush, although you have to battle with some great moments on tape and some clear examples of a lack of size and playing strength putting him at a disadvantage.

The Seahawks might draft a college tackle to kick inside to guard but I think they’re fairly content with their two starters.

Guards

This is also not a deep group and speaks to an underwhelming O-line class in general — and why the best options might go quickly so teams avoid missing out.

Grey Zabel’s testing profile is comparable to Creed Humphrey and Frank Ragnow. He is worth taking a chance on in the top-20 to see if he can provide a solution to Seattle’s annual interior O-line woes. The big question for the Seahawks is whether he’ll be available. There are teams ahead of them at #18 who might pull off a surprise and take him. If that happens, they might be forced to pivot to other positions.

I am a big admirer of Tyler Booker. I like alpha O-liners with size who finish. However, he presents a weird challenge for teams. His testing profile in terms of explosive traits is awful and his foot-speed is also poor. Yet he ran a 4.65 short shuttle at 325lbs and also moved well during combine during drills and at his pro-day. None of this really makes sense — but there’s a 50/50 chance he goes before Seattle’s pick due to the character, size and movement positives we just raised.

Donovan Jackson and Tate Ratledge are both very solid second round options, although Ratledge’s injury-riddled 2024 season could push him into round three. After that you’re basically looking at Dylan Fairchild, Garrett Dellinger and a bunch of tackle converts. There are options here — but I don’t think the Seahawks will want to wait until rounds three or four to address this need. My guess is they’ll make two O-line picks in the first four rounds.

Centers

It’s a woeful center class where the options simply don’t exist. Jared Wilson compares physically to Erik McCoy and deserves to go in the same range (48th overall). After that you’ve got a bunch of players who tested physically for a day three grading. Some players, such as Jake Majors, played well enough to warrant consideration in that range with a shot to start at the next level. But this isn’t a center class that will have teams eyeing multiple starters.

The Seahawks had Wilson in for an official visit and he makes a ton of sense for them in round two if he’s available. He’s an ideal scheme fit with the physical profile to become a top-level starter. He might go earlier than people realise simply because of the lack of appealing alternatives.

Edge rushers

Abul Carter will be a top-five pick but my main interest is in Donovan Ezeiruaku and Bradyn Swinson. They both led the NCAA during the regular season with 66 pressures. Swinson in particular has shown he can win with power and speed and I think he’s only scratching the surface of his potential. I would personally be very excited if they were able to land Swinson on day two.

Two of the better talents — James Pearce Jr and Mike Green — carry huge character flags and are unlikely to be drafted by Seattle. A name to keep an eye on for round three could be Josaiah Stewart. He lacks ideal size and his recent testing session was underwhelming. However, he’s said to be loved by Wink Martindale at Michigan and he led college football in pass-rush win percentage last season. He’s a warrior who could be the heir-apparent to Uchenna Nwosu.

JT Tuimoloau is another name to monitor. He ran a 4.37 short shuttle at his pro-day which was better than expected. He’s a powerful run defender with good length. Some teams may feel they can get more out of him as a pass-rusher, although he performed well in the playoffs. He could go in the top-40.

The Seahawks need another pass-rusher and will likely try to add one in the first three rounds. This could be a position where they aggressively pursue a particular target, potentially with a trade-up in round two.

Defensive ends

This is a group full of gambles. How good is Mykel Williams? You’ll have to bet on the upside and it’s impossible to know if he’ll become more consistent and stay healthy at the next level. Shemar Stewart has a physical profile comparable to Jadeveon Clowney but he’s a nearly man with plenty of issues on tape. For every player like this who works out, there are many more who amount to nothing.

Jordan Burch might be a similar pick at a better value, while Landon Jackson will not provide much flash but he’ll give you a hell of an effort every week. I think Nic Scourton is overrated but LSU’s Sai’vion Jones is slightly underrated.

The signing of Demarcus Lawrence lessens the need to draft a player for this role. If they do take a bigger end early, it’ll be because the grading is so good that they can’t turn the option down.

Defensive tackles

It was put to me recently that in a few years time we’ll be impressed with how many defensive tackles from this draft class are starting in the league. It’s said to be the strength of the draft. However, I don’t think there’s a truly great player who deserves to go very early. I think we have a bunch of very solid players who can play for a long time.

Walter Nolen is the big question mark. He has the talent to go in the top-10 but might not go in the first round at all due to major character question marks. I’ve spoken to people who think he is an outstanding talent. In many ways he resembles a Diet Coke version of Jalen Carter. The Seahawks are not going to dabble here and will focus on reliability.

They’ll have good intel on Kenneth Grant, who could emerge as a Dexter Lawrence type player with the right guidance (Mason Graham won’t be an option because he’ll go too early). Tyleik Williams, Alfred Collins and Derrick Harmon could all go in the top-40.

Keep an eye on Ty Robinson for the Seahawks on day two — plus they will almost certainly look to add a nose tackle at some point. There’s a good chance they will attempt to replace both Johnathan Hankins and Roy Robertson-Harris in the draft, given how strong the class is at this position.

They moved up in the 2016 draft for Jarran Reed, one of their better decisions over the years. Is there another defensive lineman they really want this year? Would they be prepared to pull off a similar trade from #50? Perhaps.

Linebackers

This has turned out to be a reasonable linebacker crop. Jalon Walker leads the group and it’s worth noting that the peerless Brady Henderson said on Seattle Sports on Friday that he could be a potential trade-up target for the Seahawks if he lasts into range. His versatility and ability to pressure from anywhere would be an exceptional fit for Mike Macdonald, plus his character marks are through the roof. Some believe he’s better than Abdul Carter. Mike Mayock has voiced that opinion publicly.

Jihaad Campbell could’ve been a top-10 pick but for his labrum tear. It’s one of the big unknowns as to how that will impact his stock. On tape he is forceful, violent and impactful. If he can’t play as a rookie though he could last deep into round one.

Carson Schwesinger is getting a lot of late first round buzz. Could he be a target for the Rams or Commanders? You’ve then got a handful of day two players and a whole bunch of potential contributors on day three. There are several high-character, all-out linebackers who, if nothing else, can be a good special teamers. Players like Jackson Woodard, Jeffrey Bassa, Chandler Martin, Nick Martin, Cody Simon and Shemar James. There are others.

The Seahawks have no depth at the position and given its importance to the defense, I’m pretty sure they’ll draft a linebacker. It’s just a question of how early they do it.

Cornerbacks

You’ve got a cluster of players who will go early and then decent depth reaching into day three. I’ll be stunned if the Seahawks aren’t able to draft at least one cornerback they really like from this class.

This could be an option at #18 given how willing they were to draft Quinyon Mitchell or Terrion Arnold a year ago. Will Johnson’s apparent fall could present an opportunity, depending on how they view his medicals and lack of good testing. Shavon Revel also attended for a recent visit and if he passed a physical as he recovers from a knee injury, he’s exactly the type of player you can imagine Macdonald liking.

There are a lot of options here.

Safeties

I really like Malaki Starks and see him as a first round talent. I can imagine he will be an option at #18. I’m less excited for Nick Emmanwori despite his testing profile. For me he’s the kind of player I let someone else draft and if it works out, good for them. Character concerns have been raised and I just didn’t see enough violence on tape for his size.

I like Billy Bowman Jr a lot as someone who can almost be Earl Thomas-lite. He’s quick, he gets his hands on a lot of footballs and he packs a punch. He’s going to go at 100mph every game. I’d be prepared to take him at any point on day two.

Jonas Sanker, Andrew Mukuba, Lathan Ransom, Kitan Crawford, Maxen Hook, Marques Sigle and others all provide various combinations of speed, physicality and reliability. The Seahawks should have no problem finding a safety they like in this class and they will likely draft one.

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