Round one
#1 Tennessee — Cam Ward (QB, Miami)
It feels like a lock that the Titans are taking Ward.
#2 Cleveland — Abdul Carter (EDGE, Penn State)
Pairing Carter with Myles Garrett is a terrifying thought for AFC North quarterbacks.
#3 NY Giants — Travis Hunter (WR/CB, Colorado)
The Giants seem to be settling on a plan to go BPA here then assess the quarterback options later.
#4 New England — Ashton Jeanty (RB, Boise State)
No tackle is worth this pick. Jeanty is the pound-for-pound best player in the draft. He can take the pressure off Drake Maye.
#5 Jacksonville — Mason Graham (DT, Michigan)
It’s not a great position for the Jaguars with the three obvious ‘blue chippers’ off the board. They’d have to pick between Graham and Tyler Warren.
#6 Las Vegas — Jalon Walker (LB, Georgia)
Some people prefer Walker to Abdul Carter. He’s also a culture-setter in terms of personality and an ideal partner in crime for Maxx Crosby.
#7 NY Jets — Tyler Warren (TE, Penn State)
He just makes sense to add legit firepower to their passing game.
TRADE #8 LA Rams (v/CAR) — Jaxson Dart (QB, Ole Miss)
The Rams considered moving on from Matthew Stafford and their new arrangement feels short term. They aggressively move up to draft the future at QB in a deal costing them their 2026 first rounder.
#9 New Orleans — Jahdae Barron (CB, Texas)
He’s a terrific player and could be viewed as a lesser Devon Witherspoon.
#10 Chicago — Will Campbell (T/G, LSU)
If they’re comfortable with his arm-length, Campbell could finish off their new-look O-line.
#11 San Francisco — Armand Membou (T/G, Missouri)
He’s extremely athletic and talented but he’s not a left tackle and might be better suited at guard.
#12 Dallas — Omarion Hampton (RB, North Carolina)
Hampton has established himself as a player expected to go in the top-15.
#13 Miami — Will Johnson (CB, Michigan)
He’s one of the best players in the draft. The injuries are the only reason he won’t go in the top-10.
#14 Indianapolis — Colston Loveland (TE, Michigan)
A legit top-10 talent in this draft who only lasts due to injury. Some have him graded above Tyler Warren.
#15 Atlanta — Nick Emmanwori (S, South Carolina)
I’m not sure there’s a pass-rusher here who warrants the pick. Emmanwori’s testing and tape mean he could be viewed as BPA for the Falcons.
#16 Arizona — Grey Zabel (G/C, North Dakota State)
They’ve created a situation where guard is likely their draft priority and Zabel’s testing profile warrants a top-20 pick.
#17 Cincinnati — Mike Green (EDGE, Marshall)
The Bengals often ignore character flags. Green could be a terror across from Trey Hendrickson.
#18 Seattle — Emeka Egbuka (WR, Ohio State)
A quintessential Seahawks type of player and pick. High upside athleticism, exceptional character, physical and reliable. He could be BPA.
#19 Tampa Bay — Malaki Starks (S, Georgia)
As predicted he is starting to be talked about again and he’s rising up internet big boards. Starks’ combination of talent, deep-field playmaking and character will make him a coveted player.
#20 Denver — Matthew Golden (WR, Texas)
Many view Golden as the top receiver in the draft. If he lasts here the Broncos might see great value.
#21 Pittsburgh — Derrick Harmon (DT, Oregon)
They need to refresh their defensive line and Harmon is the type of player the Steelers are often drawn to.
#22 LA Chargers — Donovan Ezeiruaku (EDGE, Boston College)
Massive production, agility and length. Ezeiruaku can make plays for this defense.
#23 Green Bay — Tetairoa McMillan (WR, Arizona)
I spoke to someone who knows their stuff and he is convinced McMillan will be the top receiver taken. Naturally, I’ve made him WR3.
#24 Minnesota — Maxwell Hairston (CB, Kentucky)
I love Hairston’s control, movement skills and transition. The allegations made against him online will need to be investigated by teams.
#25 Houston — Kelvin Banks (T, Texas)
For me he’s a right tackle. I struggle to know what to make of Banks.
#26 Carolina (v/LAR) — Mykel Williams (DE, Georgia)
The Panthers trade down 18 spots and get a player who could go in the top-10 or fall into this range. Williams’ stock is impossible to project.
#27 Baltimore — Tyler Booker (G, Alabama)
This feels like an excellent plug-and-play fit for the Ravens, not to mention his playing style suits the AFC North to a tee.
#28 Detroit — Shemar Stewart (DE, Texas A&M)
The physical profile is enticing, the total lack of any production in college is not. Plenty of players like this don’t succeed.
#29 Washington — Kenneth Grant (DT, Michigan)
The Commanders take a chance on Grant who plays in flashes but left you wanting more at Michigan.
TRADE #30 NY Giants (v/BUF) — Shedeur Sanders (QB, Colorado)
The Giants move back into round one to take Sanders.
#31 Kansas City — Walter Nolen (DT, Ole Miss)
The character concerns with Nolen are legit. I also know some scouts love him, some hate him. There’s a feeling he is too inconsistent but the upside is obvious.
#32 Philadelphia — Elijah Arroyo (TE, Miami)
They’re moving on from Dallas Goedert and Arroyo is worthy of a late first round pick.
Round two
#33 Cleveland — Tyler Shough (QB,Louisville)
GM Andrew Berry recently mentioned four quarterbacks they’ve ‘zoned in on’. Shough wasn’t mentioned. Which either means this is a stupid prediction or there’s misdirection going on.
#34 Buffalo (v/NYG) — Tyleik Williams (DT, Ohio State)
The Bills need someone who can play one-tech. They move down and acquire a player with a lot of upside and plug-and-play ability.
#35 Tennessee — Luther Burden (WR, Missouri)
They have hardly any weapons and need more at receiver.
#36 Jacksonville — Mason Taylor (TE, LSU)
Taylor has only scratched the surface of his potential so far.
#37 Las Vegas — Jihaad Campbell (LB, Alabama)
I’m a huge fan of Campbell. He’s a top-10 talent in this class. Yet the labrum injury could push him into day two.
#38 New England — Josh Simmons (T, Ohio State)
They address their gaping need at left tackle with arguably most the talented one in the draft. Injury recovery and character concerns keep him on the board.
#39 Chicago (v/CAR) — TreVeyon Henderson (RB, Ohio State)
Henderson is a perfect weapon for Ben Johnson’s offense.
#40 New Orleans — Trey Amos (CB, Ole Miss)
They need to replenish the stock at cornerback.
TRADE #41 Seattle (v/CHI) — Donovan Jackson (G, Ohio State)
The Seahawks don’t hang about to address their biggest need. They move up nine spots to go and get Jackson, who won’t make it to #50.
#42 NY Jets — Will Howard (QB, Ohio State)
There’s a feeling Howard is locked into a round two placing. The Jets feel like a very plausible option for him.
#43 San Francisco — Azareye’h Thomas (CB, Florida State)
They need a lot of things on defense after losing so much talent, including a starting cornerback.
#44 Dallas — Saivion Williams (WR, TCU)
They can use him as a multi-faceted weapon. It feels like the Cowboys are going to focus on adding firepower.
#45 Indianapolis — Carson Schwesinger (LB, UCLA)
A quality testing session this week cements his place in the top-50.
#46 Atlanta — Bradyn Swinson (EDGE, LSU)
He’s such a good player and continues to be slept on. This would be a home-run pick.
#47 Arizona — James Pearce Jr (EDGE, Tennessee)
Part of me wonders if the character concerns could push Pearce Jr deeper into day two.
#48 Miami — Josh Conerly (T, Oregon)
Some people really like him. There are moments on tape where you see quality. I just look at the body type, though, and wonder how many starting left tackles look like him?
#49 Cincinnati — Tate Ratledge (G, Georgia)
Perfect fit for a number of reasons and a player who addresses a big need.
#50 Chicago (v/SEA) — Landon Jackson (DE, Arkansas)
After adding two offensive players with their first two selections, now the Bears go after pass-rush help.
#51 Denver — Darius Alexander (DT, Toledo)
I’ve got the Broncos taking DJ Giddens in round three to fill their running back need. So they add to their D-line here instead.
TRADE #52 Buffalo (v/SEA, PIT) — Benjamin Morrison (CB, Notre Dame)
It’s critical the Bills draft a cornerback, so they jump above the Buccs in a deal with the Seahawks to secure Morrison.
#53 Tampa Bay — Danny Stutsman (LB, Oklahoma)
Lavonte David can’t play forever and Stutsman can be the man to take over long term.
#54 Green Bay — Alfred Collins (DT, Texas)
Some people really like Collins but a disappointing pre-draft process surely impacts his stock?
#55 LA Chargers — Quinshon Judkins (RB, Ohio State)
Jim Harbaugh wants to run the football.
#56 Buffalo (v/MIN) — Oluwafemi Oladejo (EDGE, UCLA)
‘The Mayor’ finds a home in Buffalo.
#57 Carolina (v/LAR) — Isaiah Bond (WR, Texas)
I think he’s fools gold but there appears to be people who believe in him.
#58 Houston — Jayden Higgins (WR, Iowa State)
The Texans keep adding weapons for CJ Stroud.
#59 Baltimore — Xavier Watts (S, Notre Dame)
They need to draft a safety.
#60 Detroit — Ty Robinson (DT, Nebraska)
He plays like a Detroit Lion.
#61 Washington — Jack Bech (WR, TCU)
They still need more at receiver and Bech would complement their other targets nicely. He’s a quality player.
#62 Seattle (v/BUF) — Josaiah Stewart (EDGE, Michigan)
Wink Martindale loves Stewart. Mike Macdonald is a Martindale protégé. He would add further juice to Seattle’s pass-rush.
#63 Kansas City — Jonah Savaiinaea (T/G, Arizona)
I don’t think he’s aggressive enough and he doesn’t finish. But some like him more than I do.
#64 Philadelphia — Shemar Turner (DT, Texas A&M)
The kind of defensive lineman you can easily see fitting into Philly’s rotation.
The trades explained
Seahawks give Bears 50 & 92 for 41 and 148
Rather than reach for need at #18, the Seahawks take best player available in round one then trade up from to get an immediate starter at guard that they like in a range that feels right. The price of swapping a late third rounder for a mid-fifth rounder doesn’t seem unreasonable to come away with two quality impact players with your first two picks. Chicago might be open-minded about this kind of deal given they don’t own a fourth round pick.
Bills give Seahawks 62 & 109 for 52
After trading up from #50, the Seahawks now move back from #52. They know they can get the player they want in this scenario with a small drop, so take Buffalo’s early fourth rounder. It makes up for trading away #92 to the Bears. The two trades basically see the Seahawks manipulating the board to get the players they really want.
The picks explained
I’m not going to go over old ground with Egbuka or the trade proposal because we discussed them already in detail this week. I want to take a bit of time to pitch a few thoughts instead:
1. People will hate a receiver pick at #18. However, if they made these moves, I suspect fans would embrace and understand the logic. Grey Zabel is not available at #18. None of the other linemen taken after in round one are obvious fits. You still come out of the draft with a top-end guard and a weapon you like. Let’s put it this way — if they take a guard at #18 and then move up to get a must-have offensive weapon in round two, I think most people would applaud. There’s no difference here.
2. Emeka Egbuka is not a reach at #18. Daniel Jeremiah ranks him 17th. Mel Kiper ranks him 18th. It’s fair value.
3. The mock shows what I think could well be a cluster of players on Seattle’s radar:
14 Indianapolis — Colston Loveland (TE, Michigan)
#15 Atlanta — Nick Emmanwori (S, South Carolina)
#16 Arizona — Grey Zabel (G/C, North Dakota State)
#17 Cincinnati — Mike Green (EDGE, Marshall)
#18 Seattle — Emeka Egbuka (WR, Ohio State)
#19 Tampa Bay — Malaki Starks (S, Georgia)
#20 Denver — Matthew Golden (WR, Texas)
There’s very little chance of them taking Green based on character question marks. The other six players all tick most of the boxes the Seahawks look for. I’m mocking Egbuka here but it’s eminently possible they could have Starks or Golden graded higher.
4. Egbuka, Donovan Jackson and Josaiah Stewart just feel like Seahawks. Their attitude, performance, reliability and ability to start quickly. Predicting what a team will do is hard enough as it is without throwing in a couple of trades. However, even if this ultimately proves to be miles off reality, it at least feels on April 3rd like a plausible projection. You can see them doing this.
5. The Seahawks can add competition to the offensive line beyond simply drafting Donovan Jackson. Here are the players who graded well as zone blockers in 2024. Many of these prospects will be available from round three onwards:
Charles Grant — 93.0
Willie Lampkin — 90.4
Wyatt Milum — 90.0
Chase Lundt — 88.2
Armand Membou — 87.4
Jack Nelson — 86.4
Logan Brown — 85.2
Clay Webb — 84.9
Grey Zabel —- 84.8
Cam Williams — 84.0
Kelvin Banks Jr — 81.5
Hollin Pierce — 81.5
Marcus Mbow — 81.3
Connor Colby — 81.3
Bryce Cabeldue — 81.0
I am not concerned about Seattle’s ability to improve their line. I expect they will be able to achieve this via drafting and better coaching. I also don’t think it’s realistic to expect the Seahawks to find cast-iron solutions for three interior positions in one off-season. The chances are they will draft a starting left guard who will be anointed the starter. Then, they will possibly draft competition at center and right guard — while working to improve the players added over the last two off-seasons.
It’s also important to continue to develop Charles Cross and Abe Lucas.
For me this is a two-year project, not a one-draft fix. We all want to see immediate improvement. I’m not against drafting Grey Zabel at #18 and Tate Ratledge at #50 and feeling like a major statement has been made. I’m just not sure those players will be available or that it’s realistic to expect this.
6. I continue to wonder if Tyler Booker would be an alternative trade-up target if he lasts into round two. He’s not an obvious scheme fit but he’s the kind of tone-setter they need up front. He is mobile, he’s just not quick. He is highly aggressive. I’ll keep using the Aaron Banks/Kyle Shanahan/Matt LaFleur line for justifying continuing to talk about Booker.
7. If I was doing a full seven-round projection, I would have them taking a quarterback at some point.
8. I am optimistic about this draft for Seattle and how it can further shape the roster.
