Mock Draft Roundup: What options do Seahawks have at No. 18?

With the scouting combine and first week of free agency in the books, expectations about who the Seattle Seahawks will take in the first round of upcoming NFL Draft are starting to shift.

The Seattle Seahawks’ reported free agent visits, including 3 O-linemen

Analysts have largely focused on the offensive line with pick No. 18 in mock drafts throughout the offseason. However, other areas of the offense and the defensive side of the ball are starting to become more popular paths for Seattle in the first round. Most notably, the trade of standout wide receiver DK Metcalf has made receiver a more common selection for the Seahawks.

Below is a look at who 10 mock drafts have the Seahawks taking in the first round, including a few by regular guests on Seattle Sports airwaves.

Seahawks mock draft picks at No. 18

• Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan

NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah: “The Seahawks might have bigger needs, but the value is just too great to pass up Loveland at No. 18. The former Michigan tight end joins Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Cooper Kupp to give Sam Darnold an intriguing group of pass catchers.”

Colston Loveland just makes things happen.

The star TE puts No. 9 @UMichFootball up two scores.#B1GFootball on NBC 📺 pic.twitter.com/Pk4I7ohrNw

— Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) September 1, 2024

• Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina

ESPN’s Mel Kiper: “Texas offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. was an option here; he could kick inside to guard for Seattle. I also wouldn’t discount the Seahawks finding a DK Metcalf replacement at wideout. But Emmanwori reminds me of Kyle Hamilton, whom Seattle coach Mike Macdonald worked with previously as the Ravens’ defensive coordinator in 2022 and 2023. We witnessed Emmanwori’s speed (4.38 in the 40) and explosiveness (43 inches in the vertical jump) at the combine, and we saw his ball-hawking traits (four picks) last season. Emmanwori would help bolster an already strong secondary in Seattle.”

• Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan

CBS Sports’ Ryan Wilson: “Don’t be fooled by the fact that Kenneth Grant weighs 331 pounds. He’s a freakish athlete for any size and has a knack for getting his hands up in passing lane and knocking the ball down. He has a surprisingly quick first step and uses his hands well to shoot gaps and be a disruptive presence in the backfield. For me, he’s more explosive and consistent than Kris Jenkins, his former teammate and Bengals second-rounder in 2024.”

• Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State

Pro Football Network’s Anthony Pasciolla: “On the opposite end of the spectrum from the Bengals, the Seattle Seahawks lost wide receivers DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett. This leaves the young Jaxon Smith-Njigba and veteran Cooper Kupp to steady a new-look offense. Adding a final weapon for ex-Minnesota Vikings signal-caller Sam Darnold could be of great benefit to get the best version of the free-agent addition.”

Nobody accounted for Emeka Egbuka 👀

The WR puts No. 2 @OhioStateFB back on top at No. 3 Oregon. #B1GFootball on NBC 📺 pic.twitter.com/a2FOawmzEK

— Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) October 13, 2024

• Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State

FOX Sports’ Eric Williams: “Yes, the last time Seattle selected a running back in the first round it didn’t go so well with Rashaad Penny at No. 27 overall in the 2018 draft. However, Mike Macdonald wants to run the football, and Jeanty is one of the most explosive playmakers available in this year’s draft.”

Scoring Drive: Jeanty 🔥

📺 FS2#BleedBlue | #HEI2MAN | @Stor_It_SS pic.twitter.com/qhOoozAwc5

— Boise State Football (@BroncoSportsFB) October 6, 2024

• Matthew Golden, WR, Texas

The Ringer’s Diante Lee: “Seattle is not a franchise that’s keen on long-term rebuilds or roster pivots, so they’ll need to emerge from this draft with multiple players who are able to contribute early for this new-look offense. Matthew Golden can step in immediately as a field-stretching component for new OC Klint Kubiak. Even if you have questions about whether Golden’s 4.29-second 40-yard dash speed will show up on the field, there was never a point during his time at Texas when it felt as though his speed was lacking. Kubiak will find some similarities between Golden and two receivers he had in New Orleans last season (Rashid Shaheed and Chris Olave), and adding a deep threat for Sam Darnold will help get the most out of the play-action passing game.”

Is Texas WR Matthew Golden the best WR in this year’s NFL Draft? (via @MoveTheSticks)

📺: #NFLCombine on @NFLNetwork
📱: Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/tKmnaJqwOt

— NFL (@NFL) March 1, 2025

• Tyler Booker, G, Alabama

The Draft Network’s Ryan Fowler: “The athletic testing left much to be desired, but tape always holds the most weight. For Tyler Booker, while you’d like to see more explosiveness off the ball or a little less of him playing over his toes, two sacks allowed in 978 career pass-pro snaps in the SEC is as good as it gets. He’s advanced technically, strong as an ox, and with a little fine-tuning, could evolve into a consistent Pro Bowl type of player along a front five.”

• Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State

Yahoo Sports’ Nate Tice and Charles Macdonald: “Offensive line is definitely going to be looked at here, but the Seahawks instead add blocking help elsewhere by adding Warren to a room with Noah Fant and the promising AJ Barner. Warren has real in-line blocking potential and can align across the formation as a receiver. His versatility fits perfectly with Klint Kubiak’s preference for using two tight ends or a fullback on early downs.

Tyler Warren Hurdle 😳 @PennStateFball #B1GFootball on @BigTenNetwork 📺 pic.twitter.com/rmpsyJreai

— Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) November 30, 2024

• Donovan Jackson, G, Ohio State

USA Today’s Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz: “A readily evident deficiency on the interior has become an even more glaring necessity to address with the signing of Sam Darnold, who has shown that proper protection can be the difference between him being a confident distributor or wilting in the face of pressure. Stout yet fleet-footed, Jackson can keep all sorts of defensive linemen at bay while also helping Seattle adapt to a new identity rooted in the ground game.”

• Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona

The 33rd Team’s James Foster: “The Seahawks waste no time replacing DK Metcalf and select Tetairoa McMillan. McMillan is a skyscraper with elite ball skills, but in 2024 he emerged as more than just a jump-ball winner. He refined his route running technique & was much more productive after the catch.”

TETAIROA. MCMILLAN. WHAT. A. CATCH. @TMAC96795 🤯🤯🤯

📺: Pac-12 Network pic.twitter.com/EMGwmKPrYX

— Arizona Football (@ArizonaFBall) September 17, 2023

Seattle Seahawks news and analysis

• Huard: A position group to keep an eye on for Seattle Seahawks
• How contract details show Seattle Seahawks’ view on Darnold
• Huard: How new Seattle Seahawks WR Cooper Kupp will coexist with JSN
• What Macdonald likes about Seahawks’ 3 defensive front signings
• Report: Seattle Seahawks sign former Saints cornerback

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