2026 NFL Team Draft Page

2025 Draft Grade: A

Teams employ different Draft strategies. Seattle GM John Schneider has always been a proponent of drafting for need, as opposed to a best player available approach. While this has lead to huge reaches in past Drafts, what matters most if if the player becomes a quality starter. Schneider stuck to that approach in RD1 of the 2025 Draft, selecting varsatile guard Grey Zabel from North Dakota State. This was no surprise, many mocks pegged Zabel for the offensive line deficient Seahawks. Zabel offers flexibility to line up anywhere along the OL, increasing his value beyond that of a straight guard.

Round 2 brought the team Nick Emmanwori, a monter-sized safety (6'3") with a perfect 10 RAS, featuring a 4.39 40 time and a 43 inch vertical jump. The Seahawks could have picked Emmanwori in RD1 and no one would have blinked. Elsewhere on Day 2, the Hawks added athletic pass-catching tight end Elijah Arroyo in RD2 and just maybe their QBOTF in RD3 in athletic project Jalen Milroe.

On Day 3 two picks stand out to me. Damien Martinez slipped through the cracks of a deep RB class, lasting all the way to pick 223 of RD7. Prior to thre Draft, Drafttek strategists were discussing Martinez as a potential top-100 player, due to a strong RAS (8.52) in combination with a a high PFF "elusiveness rating" of 127. The other Day 3 standout is Rylie Mills. Without Mills' senior yeqr injury, we'd be looking at him on Day 2.

Looking Ahead - 2026 Draft

There are a couple of positions that could be losing starters due to expiring contracts. Corner is one, starters Riq Woolen and Josh Jobe will be free agents in 2026. Offensive Tackle could also be a target with Abe Lucas an expiring FA, though the team added a couple of hogs in the draft - RD6 pick Bryce Cabeldue, along with Zabel.