Whereas the 2024 draft class hasn’t performed a down within the NFL but, that’s not stopping us from wanting on the 2025 class. That’s the way it works on this content-driven universe, and also you higher consider there’s an attention-grabbing mock draft choose for the Seattle Seahawks.
ESPN’s Matt Miller doesn’t have the Seahawks taking a quarterback in Spherical 1 subsequent 12 months, however he has them leaning towards offense with the No. 11 general choose (utilizing the Soccer Energy Index simulations). One other extensive receiver, you say? Sure. And his reasoning might 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, nevertheless it’s additionally a unit poised for a breakup. Tyler Lockett — who’s getting 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 measurement is a sneaky want. McMillan is huge 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 an additional enormous 12 months 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 “12 months 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 look ahead to 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 accustomed to McMillan, having watched him up-close when the Washington Huskies and Arizona Wildcats had 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 shedding efforts. Arizona was a shock 10-3 final season below present Huskies head coach Jedd Fisch, and McMillan was one of many principal components within the Wildcats’ turnaround.
With that stated, “including a real No. 1 receiver with measurement is a sneaky want.” Is “with measurement” 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 measurement) nor Jaxon Smith-Njigba (who doesn’t have nice measurement) is able to being a high 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 have a look at a QB early subsequent 12 months. For curious readers, his high quarterbacks are Georgia’s Carson Beck (No. 1 to the New York Giants through commerce), Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders (No. 2 to the Las Vegas Raiders through 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 may keep at school one other 12 months. I might 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 in another way. Ignore the hypothetical No. 11 slot and and envision the way forward for the Seahawks receiving corps? Would you relatively transfer on from DK (and Lockett, principally) 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 purpose to do that subject once more till it’s completely vital.
