Analysis: Grading Seahawks 2025 Rookie Class Through Seven Games
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Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Tory Horton (15) celebrates after scoring a 95 yard punt return for a touchdown against the New Orleans Saints during the first quarter at Lumen Field. Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images [/caption]
The Seattle Seahawks made some big swings during the 2025 NFL Draft. They first took a guard in the first round, something they had not done in more than 20 years. Grey Zabel was intended to instantly solidify the interior offensive line. Then Seattle watched as combine star Nick Emmanwori fell down the draft board. They were practically tripping over themselves to draft him early in the second round, trading up with Tennessee to select him.
Let’s take a look at the ‘Hawks rookie class as a whole and examine how they have done through seven games:
Round 1, Pick 18: Grey Zabel (Guard, North Dakota State)
This is a classic “in the eye of the beholder” scenario. Pro Football Focus does not like Zabel to this point. He owns a 53.4 overall PFF grade, including 51.7 in the run game and 55.6 in pass protection. But then looking at his pass protection numbers, he’s the only rookie offensive lineman with at least 200 snaps who has not allowed a sack yet and one of just 14 guards in the entire NFL with that distinction.
Then, going over to ESPN, he is the best interior lineman in all of football in run block win rate.
If you go by the eye test, the Seahawks’ offensive line is clearly improved from a year ago and Zabel was the main addition to that group. They have allowed the second-fewest sacks in the NFL and he’s been a huge part of that success.
Still, the run game is something of a mess Seattle needs to clean up. While it’s not all Zabel’s fault, there’s some improvement needed from him as well as the rest of the group to get the ground attack up to standard.
Grade: B
Round 2, Pick 35: Nick Emmanwori (Safety, South Carolina)
Many had a first round grade on Emmanwori, including the Seahawks. However, their need on the offensive line was greater. Once they took Zabel, they stopped at nothing to acquire the NFL Combine star. The stars finally aligned for pick 35. He’s a big-bodied safety who can run like the wind, jump out of a building, and match up with anyone physically.
A handful of plays into his season, Emmanwori was sidelined with an ankle injury. It took him until Week 5 to get back on the field. Now, he seems to be getting better every week. He is currently the second-highest graded defensive rookie, after the Eagles linebacker Jihaad Campbell. He’s also the fourth-highest graded defensive back, regardless of experience.
Pro Football Focus defines a stop as “tackles that constitute a "failure" for the offense.” Emmanwori has eight stops since returning from injury. That’s third most among all defensive backs. All this, while logging snaps at the line as a pass rusher, down in the box as a strong safety, one as a free safety, and even as a slot corner.
Mike Macdonald has his shiny new toy on the defense. He just needs to stay healthy and the sky is the ceiling for him.
Grade: B+ (It would be an A if we just counted post-injury)
Round 2, Pick 50: Elijah Arroyo (Tight End, Miami)
Arroyo is appealing as a versatile athlete. He has the size of a tight end and sleekness and athleticism of a wide receiver. It’s been something of a slow burn for Arroyo in this offense so far, however. He has 11 catches for 140 yards in seven games. He’s earned good marks in pass protection, despite being known more for his pass-catching ability.
Unfortunately, the biggest knock on this pick is not in Arroyo’s control nor his fault. There were some raised eyebrows when Seattle selected Arroyo at No. 50 overall, considering who was still on the board. As of now, fellow tight end Harold Fannin Jr., as well as edge rusher Nic Scourton (two sacks this year) were still on the board.
It’s still very much wait-and-see with the Miami product, but there have been enough flashes to suggest he will live up to his billing as a dynamic pass catcher in time.
Grade: C-
Round 3, Pick 92: Jalen Milroe (Quarterback, Alabama)
Talking about raised eyebrows, this one takes the cake for Seattle’s draft class. Everyone knew taking Milroe meant he would very likely not be starting any games at quarterback in 2025. His athleticism is off the charts. His intangibles and character makeup are the envy of any football coach. His arm and decision making process as a passer and running an offense as the captain of the ship is what needs the most work. That will come with time.
What excited fans most in the short-term is the possibility of Milroe being used as a gadget weapon or as a goal line option in the run game. Seattle has tried several times to do that, but it has not been successful and even has been downright disastrous in some cases, including a botched option pitch against Tampa Bay that led to a touchdown. He has ran the ball just three times for four yards, and never longer than three yards. It seems as if Klint Kubiak has tabled the Milroe package plays for now.
It doesn’t feel fair to give Milroe a failing grade, given he wasn’t coming in to be the savior at quarterback right from the start. He very well could still be the quarterback of the future in Seattle. Still, it’s been mostly nothing as a sub-package option, which is disappointing.
Grade: D
Round 5, Pick 142: Rylie Mills (Defensive Tackle, Notre Dame)
Mills has yet to see the field as he deals with recovering from a torn ACL he suffered late last year at Notre Dame. This may turn into something of a redshirt year with Mike Macdonald indicating during the bye that he’s still several weeks away from possibly returning.
Grade: N/A
Round 5, Pick 166: Tory Horton (Receiver, Colorado State)
Horton certainly would have been selected higher had he not suffered an injury at Colorado State. He has the track speed and length to be a legitimate NFL receiver and had great production for the Rams prior to the injury.
All Horton has done is immediately make John Schneider and company look like geniuses. His 95-yard punt return touchdown against the Saints was the longest punt return in franchise history. His three receiving touchdowns are the most by any rookie taken after the second round this year.
Horton is looking very much like a key part of the present and future for the Seahawks, even as a Day 3 pick.
Grade: A+
Round 5, Pick 175: Robbie Ouzts (Fullback, Alabama)
Taking Ouzts was a clear change in philosophy in Seattle. They want to run the rock and be physical. Early on, Ouzts brought the thump. For the first three games, he was pancaking defenders left and right.
Unfortunately, he went down with an ankle injury in Week 3 and hasn’t played since. Thankfully, he has been designated for a return to practice as of Monday, providing an opportunity to get back on the game field and be a major factor in the second half.
Grade: C
Round 6, Pick 192: Bryce Cabeldue (Guard, Kansas)
Cabeldue has played all of five total snaps this season. He scored off the charts in athletic testing in the pre-draft process. Clearly, the Seahawks view him as a project worth investing in.
For now, Cabledue has mostly been watching and learning from the sideline, which is understandable for a sixth round pick. Hard to give a concrete grade here.
Grade: N/A
Round 7, Pick 223: Damien Martinez (Running Back, Miami)
A productive rusher with a physical style, it’s clear why the Seahawks wanted Martinez in the building. For one reason or another, it didn’t work out. He was released from the practice squad and has not stuck onto another NFL roster quite yet.
Still, it might be harsh to call this a failure considering it was a seventh round flyer-type of a draft pick.
Grade: F
Round 7, Pick 234: Mason Richman (Tackle/Guard, Iowa)\
Like Cabeldue, Richman has limited snaps this year. That is, just one official snap along the offensive line and five more on special teams while mostly being a healthy scratch thus far. He made 52 college starts at Iowa. He is currently listed as the backup right tackle. It remains to be seen what value Seattle can get out of this seventh rounder.
Grade: C-
Round 7, Pick 238: Ricky White III (Wide Receiver, UNLV)
Brought on for his special teams prowess, White had his work cut out for him making the squad at receiver. He did not. There still is plenty of time for White to make an impact on this team, even this season with Dareke Young now nursing a quad injury. His calling card at UNLV was blocking punts. Before the season is through, we may see that on Sundays.
He is yet to take a snap in 2025.
Grade: N/A
