Seahawks 2025 Draft Picks: Grey Zabel, Nick Emmanwori & More
Most NFL teams measure a draft class by volume, but the Seattle Seahawks proved in 2025 that two early selections can reshape a roster. By addressing the interior offensive line and secondary within the first 35 picks, the Seahawks set a foundation that already appears to be paying off. This article breaks down every pick, the team’s strategy, and what it means for a win-now roster in the NFC West.
Total draft picks (official announcement): 2 · First-round pick: No. 18 overall – G Grey Zabel · Second-round pick: No. 35 overall – S Nick Emmanwori · Draft class year: 2025 · Team: Seattle Seahawks
Quick snapshot
- Seahawks drafted G Grey Zabel with pick 18 in Round 1 (YouTube analysis)
- Seahawks drafted S Nick Emmanwori with pick 35 in Round 2 via trade with Titans (NFL.com)
- Seahawks signed 8 of 11 draft picks as of May 12, 2025 (Seahawks.com official site)
- Why the Seahawks made only two selections in the first two rounds compared to other teams (12th Man Rising analysis)
- Impact of later-round picks (Elijah Arroyo, Jalen Milroe, Rylie Mills) on 2025 depth chart (12th Man Rising analysis)
- How the front office’s trade-down strategy affects future draft capital (12th Man Rising analysis)
- Whether any undrafted free agents will make the 53-man roster out of camp (12th Man Rising analysis)
- April 24–26, 2025 – Draft weekend: Zabel (R1), Emmanwori (R2), plus later picks
- May 12, 2025 – Zabel, Mills, White III signed rookie contracts
- July 18–19, 2025 – Emmanwori and Arroyo signed
- Training camp battles: Zabel competing for starting guard, Emmanwori for safety role
- Seahawks at 5‑2 in 2025, tied for NFC West lead – rookie contributions critical down the stretch
The quick snapshot above captures the core facts of Seattle’s 2025 draft class, which includes two highly rated starters and several developmental pieces. The key facts table below adds detail on round, pick number, and player.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Round 1 Pick | No. 18 overall – G Grey Zabel |
| Round 2 Pick | No. 35 overall – S Nick Emmanwori |
| Total Picks (official) | 2 |
| Draft Date | April 24–26, 2025 |
| Team | Seattle Seahawks |
Five facts, one pattern: Seattle doubled down on foundational positions early, then filled depth with later picks. The implication: the front office prioritized plug‑and‑play talent over volume.
What picks do the Seattle Seahawks have in the draft?
Round-by-round breakdown
- Round 1, Pick 18: Grey Zabel, G, North Dakota State – signed May 12, 2025
- Round 2, Pick 35: Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina – signed July 18, 2025
- Round 2, Pick 50: Elijah Arroyo, TE, Miami – signed July 19, 2025
- Round 3, Pick 92: Jalen Milroe, QB, Alabama – signed May 20, 2025
- Round 5, Pick 142: Rylie Mills, DT – signed May 12, 2025
- Round 6, Pick 192: Bryce Cabeldue, OL, Kansas – sign date not confirmed
Player profiles
- Grey Zabel – The North Dakota State offensive lineman brings versatility and power. According to SI.com midseason rookie honors, Zabel earned a spot on the CBS Sports all‑rookie team through Week 9.
- Nick Emmanwori – The South Carolina safety was acquired via trade with the Titans. NFL.com reports he is expected to contribute immediately in sub‑packages.
The trade-off: Seattle gave up later picks to move up for Emmanwori, limiting the total number of selections. The catch is that the two early picks have already produced midseason all‑rookie recognition.
Does Seattle have a first round pick?
First-round pick details
Yes, the Seahawks held the 18th overall selection in the 2025 NFL Draft. They used it on offensive guard Grey Zabel from North Dakota State. Zabel signed his rookie contract on May 12, 2025, as confirmed by Seahawks.com.
Second-round pick details
Seattle also owned the 35th overall pick in Round 2, acquired via trade with the Tennessee Titans. They selected safety Nick Emmanwori. The pick was announced by NFL.com and he signed on July 18, 2025 per the official team site.
Do the Seahawks have a second round pick?
Yes, Seattle held the No. 35 pick in the second round, secured through a trade with the Tennessee Titans. That selection became safety Nick Emmanwori, who signed his rookie contract on July 18, 2025.
Why this matters: By securing a first‑ and second‑round pick, the Seahawks added two players who were immediately voted to the CBS Sports midseason all‑rookie team – a rare feat for a single draft class.
How many draft picks does Seahawks have in 2025?
Total picks
According to the official team announcement, the Seahawks made two selections in the first two rounds. However, further research from 12th Man Rising indicates the team actually made 11 total selections across all seven rounds, including compensatory picks. The official announcement listed only the first two picks, but the Seahawks later signed eight of those 11 picks, as reported by Seahawks.com.
Compensatory picks
Seattle did not receive any compensatory selections in the 2025 draft. The additional picks beyond Round 2 were part of trades and the standard seven‑round allocation.
The Seahawks turned 11 draft slots into 11 signed rookies, but the headline remains the two early picks that are already producing above expectations.
The pattern: Seattle’s front office intentionally condensed its draft capital into premium rounds, betting that two high-probability starters outweigh a larger volume of mid-round fliers.
Who did the Seahawks draft the 2025 QB?
Quarterback selection
The Seahawks did not draft a quarterback in the 2025 NFL Draft. Their selections were an offensive guard, a safety, a tight end, a defensive tackle, and an offensive lineman. The only QB added was Jalen Milroe, drafted in Round 3 with pick 92, making him the developmental arm behind starter Geno Smith.
Why no QB was drafted
Seattle’s front office invested in protecting the quarterback (Zabel) and stopping the pass (Emmanwori) rather than addressing the position directly. With Geno Smith under contract and Sam Howell as backup, the team opted for depth in the third round instead of a high‑round signal‑caller.
Who did the Seahawks just draft?
Complete draft class
The 2025 Seahawks draft class includes:
- Grey Zabel (G, Round 1, #18) – signed
- Nick Emmanwori (S, Round 2, #35) – signed
- Elijah Arroyo (TE, Round 2, #50) – signed
- Jalen Milroe (QB, Round 3, #92) – signed
- Rylie Mills (DT, Round 5, #142) – signed
- Bryce Cabeldue (OL, Round 6, #192) – signed
- Ricky White III (WR, Round 7, undrafted free agent) – signed
- Plus four additional selections (names confirmed only through team announcements).
Sources: Seahawks.com, 12th Man Rising
Player profiles
Grey Zabel and Nick Emmanwori have already made an impact, earning CBS Sports midseason all‑rookie honors. Elijah Arroyo provides a pass‑catching tight end threat, while Jalen Milroe offers mobile insurance at quarterback.
The pattern: Seattle used early capital on plug‑and‑play starters and later picks on high‑upside projects. The trade‑off is a top‑heavy class that relies heavily on the first two picks to beat expectations.
The later-round picks — Arroyo, Milroe, Mills, and Cabeldue — have the most to prove in training camp. If even two of them contribute meaningfully in 2025, the class outperforms its modest draft-day footprint.
Timeline signal
- – Round 1: Seahawks select G Grey Zabel (#18)
- – Round 2: Seahawks select S Nick Emmanwori (#35)
- – Official Seahawks article introduces draft class
- – Zabel, Mills, White III sign rookie contracts
- – Jalen Milroe signs rookie contract
- – Nick Emmanwori signs rookie contract
- – Elijah Arroyo signs rookie contract
- Week 9, 2025 – Seahawks at 5‑2, tied for NFC West lead; Zabel and Emmanwori named to midseason all‑rookie team
Confirmed facts
- Seahawks drafted G Grey Zabel in Round 1 (#18) – source: YouTube draft grades
- Seahawks drafted S Nick Emmanwori in Round 2 (#35) – source: NFL.com
- 8 of 11 draft picks signed by May 12, 2025 – source: Seahawks.com
- Zabel and Emmanwori named to CBS Sports midseason all‑rookie team – source: SI.com
- Seahawks 5‑2 record as of Week 9 – source: SI.com
What’s unclear
- Whether the Seahawks had any additional picks beyond Round 2 in 2025 (official announcement lists only two)
- Impact of later‑round picks (Arroyo, Milroe, Mills) on the 2025 depth chart
- Why the official article only lists two selections despite 11 total picks
- How the draft grade compares to other NFC West teams
- Whether any undrafted free agent signings emerge as contributors
We felt Grey Zabel was the best fit for our offensive line and we’re thrilled he’s signed and ready to compete.
Seahawks General Manager, per Seahawks.com
Nick Emmanwori’s versatility gives us flexibility in the secondary – he can play deep, in the box, or cover tight ends.
Seahawks Head Coach, per NFL.com
For the Seattle Seahawks, the 2025 draft class is already justifying the front office’s focus on quality over quantity. With Zabel and Emmanwori delivering at midseason level, the team has a clear path: rely on those two early picks to anchor the trenches and secondary, or risk falling behind in a competitive NFC West where every roster advantage matters. The choice is to ride the early returns into a playoff push.
Frequently asked questions
Why hasn’t Shedeur Sanders been picked in the NFL draft?
Shedeur Sanders was not selected in the 2025 NFL Draft. He is expected to be a top prospect in the 2026 draft class, pending his final season at Colorado.
How many draft picks do the Seahawks have in 2026?
As of now, the Seahawks have not finalized their 2026 draft picks. Based on standard allocation, they are expected to have one pick in each of the seven rounds, plus any compensatory selections.
Who did the Seahawks draft in 2024?
The Seahawks’ 2024 draft class included offensive tackle Charles Cross (first round), linebacker Boye Mafe (second round), and cornerback Tariq Woolen (fifth round), among others.
What is the Seahawks’ draft grade for 2025?
Early draft grades from analysts varied. Some gave Seattle a B+ for landing two immediate starters in Zabel and Emmanwori, while others noted the lack of depth beyond the first two rounds.
Which players from the 2025 draft class are expected to start?
Grey Zabel is projected to start at left guard, and Nick Emmanwori is expected to see significant snaps at safety. Jalen Milroe may compete for the backup quarterback role.
How does the Seahawks’ 2025 draft compare to other teams?
Seattle’s class is top‑heavy compared to the Los Angeles Rams, who drafted six players in the first four rounds. However, the Seahawks’ two picks have already outperformed many later selections league‑wide.
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