Whereas the 2024 draft class hasn’t performed a down within the NFL but, that’s not stopping us from trying on the 2025 class. That’s the way it works on this content-driven universe, and also you higher imagine there’s an fascinating mock draft choose for the Seattle Seahawks.
ESPN’s Matt Miller doesn’t have the Seahawks taking a quarterback in Spherical 1 subsequent yr, however he has them leaning towards offense with the No. 11 general choose (utilizing the Soccer Energy Index simulations). One other huge receiver, you say? Sure. And his reasoning could have you ever rolling eyes and/or elevating eyebrows.
From past the paywall:
Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona*
Seattle has one of many NFL’s finest receiving corps, but it surely’s additionally a unit poised for a breakup. Tyler Lockett — who’s coming into his age-32 season — and DK Metcalf each have potential outs of their contracts after this coming season. Sure, second-year receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba will issue into the Seahawks’ future plans, however including a real No. 1 receiver with dimension is a sneaky want. McMillan is very large at 6-foot-5 and 210 kilos, and his catch radius appears limitless. He grabbed 90 passes for 1,402 yards and 10 touchdowns final season and is poised for one more big yr with quarterback Noah Fifita returning.
I’ll be very clear that I ordinarily wouldn’t run such a article as a result of I actually don’t like “yr prematurely” mock drafts. However it’s additionally a vacation week, the Seahawks have had a really quiet final month or so, and there’s going to be some useless time whereas we watch for coaching camp to start out. We’ll all reside if we let this one slide.
The McMillan choose sounds intriguing as a result of his movie is thrilling. Seahawks offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb and offensive line coach Scott Huff shall be acquainted with McMillan, having watched him up-close when the Washington Huskies and Arizona Wildcats have been Pac-12 rivals. McMillan’s two video games towards the Huskies noticed him snag 13 passes for 177 yards and 4 touchdowns, albeit in dropping efforts. Arizona was a shock 10-3 final season below present Huskies head coach Jedd Fisch, and McMillan was one of many foremost components within the Wildcats’ turnaround.
With that mentioned, “including a real No. 1 receiver with dimension is a sneaky want.” Is “with dimension” the qualifier? As a result of it’s not like that’s an absolute requirement for a real primary receiver. And even with out the scale issue, it implies that neither DK Metcalf (who has dimension) nor Jaxon Smith-Njigba (who doesn’t have nice dimension) is able to being a prime WR. From the Metcalf aspect, whether or not he’s a No. 1 caliber receiver or not, it isn’t unthinkable that he’s dealt earlier than the 2025 season given his looming contract extension, however I actually hope JSN will be numero uno or near it by the tip of his rookie deal.
Geno Smith and Sam Howell’s contracts each finish after 2025, which is why it’s logical to assume Seattle would take a look at a QB early subsequent yr. For curious readers, his prime quarterbacks are Georgia’s Carson Beck (No. 1 to the New York Giants by way of commerce), Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders (No. 2 to the Las Vegas Raiders by way of commerce), Texas’ Quinn Ewers (No. 10 to the New Orleans Saints), Texas A&M’s Connor Weigman (No. 19 to the Los Angeles Rams), and Notre Dame’s Riley Leonard (No. 20 to the New York Jets). Beck, Ewers, and Weigman are all underclassmen and thus might keep at school one other yr. I’d be shocked if 5 quarterbacks went in Spherical 1 in a supposedly weaker class, however even Miller admits that a complete lot will change that can shake this order up.
Anyway, possibly you see issues otherwise. Ignore the hypothetical No. 11 slot and and envision the way forward for the Seahawks receiving corps? Would you reasonably transfer on from DK (and Lockett, mainly) and rebuild round JSN and McMillan (or another rookie first-round receiver)? Pontificate within the feedback, as a result of I don’t have a lot cause to do that subject once more till it’s completely mandatory.
