What I think the Seahawks will do in the draft

Here’s what I’m thinking this weekend about Seattle’s 2025 draft, with the usual disclaimer that I reserve the right to change my view before Thursday…

— There was a reason for Seattle’s patience in free agency when it came to the offensive line. I think they’ve always had a high degree of confidence they can address the issue in the draft. It’s possible that very early in the process they identified players they’d be willing to take at #18 to fill the current gaping void at left guard. In a draft where some people think the grading difference between the 11th pick and the 40th pick is minimal, they might be preparing to fix the one area most fans want them to address.

— Grey Zabel ticks all of the right the boxes. As we detailed recently, almost all of the top offensive linemen in the NFL are explosive testers. Zabel’s physical profile is comparable to Creed Humphrey and Frank Ragnow in that regard. He also grades well in zone and has excellent character reviews. Arguably, he gives the Seahawks the best chance to execute their scheme, fill a big need and he has the upside to become a plus starter.

— What if he isn’t available though? This is the big question. Regulars know I spoke to a great source recently who held the opinion that Zabel wouldn’t be a good use of a first round pick. However, Mike Mayock recently mocked him to the Dolphins at #13. Albert Breer said this week that when you speak to teams about Zabel, people tend to get a twinkle in their eye. That’s how well liked he is. It’s entirely possible he comes off the board at #13 (Miami), #14 (Indianapolis), #16 (Arizona) or #17 (Cincinnati).

— If Zabel is the main target and he’s not available, do they pivot to the next lineman or a different position? I still think Tyler Booker’s 4.65 short shuttle should qualify him for the zone scheme, even if he isn’t the perfect fit. Listening to Kalen DeBoer on Brock & Salk this week, he was asked if Jihaad Campbell was an ‘alpha’. DeBoer said, “Book’s an alpha.” That says it all. He wasn’t even being asked about Booker. The Seahawks need an alpha.

— It’s not just about Booker though. Perhaps they’d take one of the tackles and kick them inside? Todd McShay recently said he thinks Josh Conerly Jr, Josh Simmons and Aireontae Ersery will likely all go in round one. I suspect Simmons might not be the guy due to character and Ersery isn’t exactly known for his relentless motor. There’s also a chance Kelvin Banks Jr and maybe even Armand Membou last into range. Albert Breer has joined Todd McShay in noting some immaturity in Membou’s character (“is he going to be the kind of pro you want him to be? Is he going to be the hardest working person in the building?”) so you wonder if they’d even go there. Yet it stands to reason that the Seahawks have multiple O-line targets to feel comfortable not needing to press the issue in free agency.

— It’s also still very possible they go pure best player available and as we’ve said for a while, the likes of Emeka Egbuka, Malaki Starks, Donovan Ezeiruaku, Matthew Golden and Will Johnson would fit the bill there. All fit the character profile of a potential Seahawk.

— If they do ultimately take Zabel at #18, or another offensive lineman, what happens next is where things could get interesting. They have the stock to easily move back into the first round if they wanted, or the high second. In 2018 the Ravens traded up from #52 to #32 to select Lamar Jackson. It cost a fourth rounder and a future second rounder — which has the value of a third rounder. If the Seahawks really wanted to, they can potentially use a third and fourth rounder this year to get back into the first round. Moving up in the second would obviously be cheaper.

— I’m still intrigued by the idea of coming away with Zabel and Tate Ratledge — setting up the kind of highly athletic, explosive, physical interior O-line the Eagles typically boast. That would be an emphatic addressing of a problem area. They might be more inclined to retain some faith in Christian Haynes and go for a center, such as Jared Wilson, who can be their answer to Erik McCoy. There are other good scheme fits set to be available later on too. I’ve always been pretty comfortable that this unit would be improved, one way or another.

— I still think a quarterback pick is likely at some stage. With so many picks and a middle class of QB’s for the first time in a long time, it’s always felt likely they would invest in a player this year. Plus I love a bit of internet sleuthing and this was a good find.

— When all’s said and done, it might be that we’ve come full circle. After weeks of debate and discussion this could end up being a trenches-focused draft, with other needs addressed too, to solidify the kind of team Mike Macdonald wants to be.