In RENTON, Washington, the Seattle Seahawks have made significant strides in refining their roster with their selection of eleven new players during the recent NFL draft. At the forefront, the Seahawks chose North Dakota State’s Grey Zabel with the impressive 18th pick. Zabel is set to potentially step into a starting role in the offensive line, specifically at left guard, following Laken Tomlinson’s move to the Houston Texans. Known for his versatility, Zabel is proficient across all five spots on the offensive line, though head coach Mike Macdonald has announced plans to initiate him at guard.
“He’s a smart player with a lot of potential,” Macdonald shared. “Finding a player who can seamlessly switch between interior roles and tackle is quite rare, and now he’s ours.” The Seahawks’ recent draft selections have been met with praise as they have effectively enhanced each position requiring support while maintaining their pursuit of another NFC West championship.
Striving for dominance, the Seahawks traded strategically to secure South Carolina safety Nick Emmanwori with their 35th pick. Drawing comparisons to All-Pro Kyle Hamilton, for whom Macdonald once served as defensive coordinator in Baltimore, the 6-foot-3, 220-pound Emmanwori seems geared for impactful play. “There are aspects to improve on to reach his level,” Emmanwori noted. “However, my speed and size are advantageous.” His addition enhances an already formidable secondary.
The Seahawks have also bolstered their wide receiver lineup with the additions of Tory Horton from Colorado State in the fifth round and Ricky White III from UNLV in the seventh. They join new acquisitions Cooper Kupp and Marquez Valdes-Scantling, replacing outgoing receivers DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett. “Horton’s height, speed, and competitive edge make him a valuable asset,” General Manager John Schneider expressed. Meanwhile, White is expected to make significant contributions on special teams.
In their quarterback lineup, the Seahawks have made notable changes, drafting Jalen Milroe from Alabama. They opted to part ways with backup Sam Howell, trading him to the Minnesota Vikings to gain leverage in the draft. Now, the Seahawks’ quarterback team consists of Sam Darnold, alongside Milroe and seasoned player Drew Lock, who recently signed a new contract.
With tight end Noah Fant approaching the end of his contract, Seattle has potentially secured his future successor, selecting Elijah Arroyo as a second-round pick from Miami. Having overcome knee injuries, Arroyo demonstrated his skill as a playmaker and reliable pass target during last season. He noted, “Creating mismatches is where I excel on the field.”
The Seahawks have shown versatility in their draft by picking Robbie Ouzts, an Alabama tight end moving into the fullback role. His emphasis on blocking rather than receiving could make him a substantial addition to the offense, competing for a key position this summer. “Working alongside coaches proficient in utilizing my role is something I am eager to do,” Ouzts stated.
Seattle’s determination to strengthen their offensive line continued with the late-round selections of Bryce Cabeldue from Kansas and Mason Richman from Iowa. Despite expectations that they won’t immediately see significant field time, the pair offers depth to an offensive line that struggled significantly last season, culminating in 54 sacks.
General Manager Schneider emphasized the continual need to bolster the offensive line, “Every team is perpetually seeking improvements there. It’s a constant battle for strength and resilience.” With their new additions, the Seahawks are poised to maintain momentum and reinforce their quest for further success in the upcoming season.