Who Could Seahawks Justify Trading Up For in First Round of 2025 NFL Draft?
The Seattle Seahawks currently own the No. 18 pick in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. They also own four picks on Day 2, thanks to their flurry of moves this offseason such as trading Geno Smith and DK Metcalf prior to the start of free agency for a third and second-round pick respectively.
While the Seahawks certainly could use all those picks to build out a deep draft class, another way the plentiful draft capital could prove useful is to be firepower in a possible trade during draft weekend. Seattle several upgrades. Yes, the offensive line is chief among them. Also, the defensive line, tight ends, wide receivers, and secondary could use more depth and talent.
Players fall all the time in the first round. For various reasons, what were consensus top 10 picks fall to the middle or even end of the first round. Be it a checkered past with the law, injury concerns, or just plain fit (or lack thereof) with certain teams. Or, other players begin jumping the board, usually being quarterbacks. That pushes a few talented non-quarterbacks down the list.
Who are those players this year that might fall for one reason or another, that Seattle could pounce on if perhaps they fall outside of the top 10?
Trading inside the top 10 at this point may be too difficult for the Seahawks. Or not prudent. They shouldn’t sell the farm to do so. However, a few players falling just outside the top 10 should have John Schneider furiously making phone calls aiming to move up.
Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State
Yes, this one still feels like a pipe dream. Many view Carter as the best pure player in this entire draft. So why in the world would he drop out of the top 10? Well, first, he has a surgically repaired shoulder from playing hurt late in the college football season. That, plus a stress reaction in his foot caused him to not full participate in the NFL Combine or Penn State’s Pro Day. Those two injuries may cause him to potentially fall a few spots, depending on medical re-checks.
Still, it feels very unlikely that an elite quarterback hunter of Carter’s caliber falls far enough for the Seahawks to feasibly trade up and pounce without selling the farm. However, we are talking about the best pure pass rusher in this class, perhaps the next Micah Parsons. Seattle should be ready just in case of the improbable event he does fall out of the top five or further.
Will Campbell, OT, LSU
Like Carter, many experts consider Campbell the best at his position in this draft. It seems silly that the best offensive lineman in the class would fall out of the top 10 simply because of his arm length. Campbell checks in at 32 5/8 inches. That ranks in the 14th percentile among his fellow tackles.
If teams get scared off as taking him as a true left tackle prospect, he could fall out of the top 10. As LSU's main left tackle, the Tigers became one of the best offenses in college football, capping off with Jayden Daniels' Heisman-winning campaign in 2023. If he were to fall out of the top 10, this is a player Schneider should leap over desks to get on the phone for (it's more fun to visualize that then just reaching down for his cell phone). He would instantly be Seattle's best offensive lineman and could plug-and-play just about anywhere, including guard.
Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State
Some may balk at the Seahawks possibly trading up in the first round to get a tight end. But Warren was basically Penn State's entire offense in 2024, where they managed to make the College Football Playoff semifinals. He is an elite ball tracker and route runner. He even played Wildcat quarterback for the Nittany Lions as well. The Seahawks simply need more offensive weapons and Warren is the embodiment of that.
On draft day, Warren may fall just by pure fit. Teams may prioritize pass rushers or offensive linemen. However, he can get after it in the blocking game as well. He is the best overall tight end prospect in this class and would be an excellent fit for Klint Kubiak’s offense.
Writer’s Note: Notice how there aren't the apparent top two quarterbacks in Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders on this list? This QB class is lackluster at best. Seattle should not mortgage its draft on trading up for one of those two players. They have other needs to fill and can build around Sam Darnold with the chance to draft a developmental signal caller in later rounds.
