Seahawks Waive 2023 Fourth-Round Pick Cameron Young
Just one day before the 2025 NFL Draft kicks off in Green Bay, the Seattle Seahawks suddenly have a more pressing need for depth along the defensive line after moving on from a 2023 fourth-round draft choice.
As announced on the Seahawks’ official site, the team has waived third-year defensive tackle Cameron Young, leaving an even bigger void at the nose tackle spot with veteran Johnathan Hankins still unsigned and no additional moves made in free agency.
Selected by Seattle with the 123rd pick of the 2023 NFL Draft, Young flashed promise as a rotational nose tackle during his rookie season, suiting up for 16 games with one start. He produced 18 combined tackles, a tackle for loss, and a quarterback hit on 205 defensive snaps, contributing enough to suggest he could take on a bigger role as an early down run stuffing specialist in 2024.
Unfortunately, Young didn’t participate at all in the Seahawks offseason program and opened training camp on the PUP list after undergoing offseason knee surgery. The team designated him for return in early October and he suited up for one game before quickly landing back on injured reserve due to further knee issues, missing the remainder of the season.
While Seattle didn’t disclose specifics on why Young was waived, players started to report for the start of offseason workouts on Monday. Considering he missed most of the 2024 campaign with recurring knee problems, it’s possible that he didn’t pass his physical upon return and the two sides ultimately reached an injury settlement, though it remains to be seen whether that was the case or not. More details may become available this week with general manager John Schneider and coach Mike Macdonald expected to speak with the media after all three days of the draft.
With Young no longer on the roster, the Seahawks currently have 68 players under contract, leaving 22 spots open for draft picks and undrafted free agent signings. Following offseason trades of quarterback Geno Smith and receiver DK Metcalf, they hold 10 selections overall, including five picks in the first 92 selections, the most for any NFL team.
With an abundance of draft capital and a clear need in the middle of their defensive line with Hankins not being brought back, it would be a surprise if the Seahawks don’t take advantage of a deep defensive tackle class as early as pick No. 18 in the first round or one of their two selections in the second round on Friday.
