Seahawks Draft: Potential early-round WR targets to replace DK

It’s looking like the Seattle Seahawks could now have a major void at wide receiver.

Seahawks GM details where they are on DK Metcalf trade talks

As expected, the Seahawks released veteran wideout Tyler Lockett in a salary cap-clearing move on Wednesday. But then came a bombshell less than 40 minutes later, when reports surfaced that star receiver DK Metcalf had requested to be traded away from Seattle. That means the Seahawks may soon be needing to replace two of their top three pass catchers.

If that ends up being the case, who are some potential targets for Seattle in April’s NFL Draft? This year’s receiver class is widely considered to be down from recent years, but there are still some intriguing early-round options. Here’s a look at who could be first-round or second-round possibilities for the Seahawks, who currently hold the No. 18 and No. 50 overall picks.

Likely out of reach

• Tetairoa McMillan (Arizona)

The 6-foot-4 McMillan is generally projected as the top receiver in this class, with most mock drafts tabbing him as a top-10 or top-15 pick. He is coming off two massive seasons at Arizona, ranking fifth in the FBS with 1,402 receiving yards in 2023 and then leading the Power Four with 1,319 receiving yards in 2024. With his combination of length, body control and smooth athleticism, PFF labeled McMillan as a “unique talent” with “All-Pro potential.”

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

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

— Arizona Football (@ArizonaFBall) September 17, 2023

Potential first-round targets

• Matthew Golden (Texas)

Golden may be the one receiver who could leapfrog McMillan. The 6-foot speedster has been rising up draft boards after running a scorching 4.29-second 40-yard dash at last week’s NFL combine, which was the fastest time of any wideout. He led Texas with 987 receiving yards this past season and showcased his big-play ability with 17.0 yards per catch – none bigger than his season-saving fourth-and-13 touchdown reception in overtime of the Longhorns’ wild College Football Playoff quarterfinal win over Arizona State. In addition to his blazing speed, ESPN’s Mel Kiper described Golden as a “terrific route runner” with “reliable hands.” NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein projected the Seahawks to take Golden at No. 18 in his latest mock draft earlier this week.

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

• Emeka Egbuka (Ohio State)

Egbuka, a Steilacoom High School product, topped the 1,000-yard receiving mark in two of the past three seasons at Ohio State. ESPN’s Kiper describes the 6-foot-1 receiver as an “extremely polished route runner” who has deceptive speed, good hands and reliable blocking skills. NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah projects Egbuka to go No. 17 overall and labeled him as an “impact slot receiver” who compares to the Seahawks’ own Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who is a fellow Ohio State product. ESPN’s Jordan Reid projects him to go at No. 26.

HOWARD ➡️ EGBUKA 🤯

BUCKEYES UP 14-0 OVER THE DUCKS 👀 pic.twitter.com/nx3yuMHX4K

— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) January 1, 2025

• Luther Burden III (Missouri)

Burden is coming off an underwhelming season at Missouri, but showed his potential while piling up 1,212 receiving yards for the Tigers in 2023. With his speed and athleticism, the 5-foot-11 slot Burden excels as a catch-and-run slot receiver who is described on ESPN’s draft profile as an “instinctive and slippery open-field runner with good burst after the catch.” In their latest mock drafts, NFL Network’s Zierlein, NFL Network’s Jeremiah, Pro Football Focus’ Trevor Sikkema and ESPN’s Reid each have Burden going between No. 25 and No. 34 overall.

LUTHER BURDEN III ON 4TH AND 5 😱😳@MizzouFootball TAKES THE LEAD WITH 1:10 TO GO! pic.twitter.com/HzGC9P23Qt

— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) November 17, 2024

Potential second-round targets

• Tre Harris (Ole Miss)

Harris has topped the 900-yard receiving mark in each of the past three seasons – at Louisiana Tech in 2022 and then at Ole Miss in 2023 and 2024. He piled up 1,030 yards this past season despite being limited to just eight games due to an injury. ESPN’s Reid projects Harris to be taken at No. 53 overall, describing the 6-foot-2 wideout as a “long-striding, three-level receiving threat.”

JAXSON DART THREW A DART TO TRE HARRIS 🎯 pic.twitter.com/rp0GVK0ZkQ

— ESPN (@espn) September 28, 2024

• Elic Ayomanor (Stanford)

Ayomanor ran the 40-yard dash in 4.44 seconds, which was an impressive feat at his size. The 6-foot-2, 210-pounder is coming off two productive seasons at Stanford, posting 1,013 receiving yards in 2023 and 831 yards this past year. His most notable performance was a highlight-filled 293-yard, three-touchdown outing against Colorado in 2023 – which included 133 yards and two TDs against potential No. 1 draft pick Travis Hunter, according to PFF. ESPN’s Reid calls Ayomanor a “nuanced route-runner” and projects him to be drafted at No. 59 overall.

ELIC AYOMANOR OVER TRAVIS HUNTER IN OT 😱#SCtop10 pic.twitter.com/5odnyQrttn

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) October 14, 2023

Other top Day 2 targets

• Jayden Higgins (Iowa State)

With his 6-foot-4, 214-pound frame, Higgins is a big-bodied target who PFF described as a “reliable possession receiver.” He finished 10th in the FBS in receiving yards this past season, piling up 1,183 yards while sharing targets with fellow draft prospect Jaylin Noel. ESPN’s Reid projects Higgins to go at No. 58 overall.

That’s a receiving TD in seven of eight games this season for @JaydenHiggins3!

🌪️🚨🌪️ pic.twitter.com/ZJITaeYJIf

— Iowa State Football (@CycloneFB) November 2, 2024

• Jalen Royals (Utah State)

Royals totaled 1,080 receiving yards and 15 TD catches in 2023, and then racked up 834 yards in seven games in 2024 before a season-ending foot injury. PFF describes the 6-foot Royals as a “strong possession receiver who can line up anywhere with plus after-the-catch ability.”

One hand is all he needs 🖐️🏈 @USUFootball pic.twitter.com/7p2UspS48r

— CBS Sports College Football 🏈 (@CBSSportsCFB) September 14, 2024

• Jack Bech (TCU)

Bech’s stock has been on the rise ever since a standout Senior Bowl performance, which vaulted him into the range of a potential fringe second-round pick. This past season, the 6-foot-2 former tight end topped the 1,000-yard receiving mark at TCU. NFL Network’s Zierlein wrote that Bech lacks explosiveness, but described him as a “big, strong receiver with outstanding ball skills.”

Jack Bech continues to make impressive plays at the Senior Bowl📈@TCUFootball

pic.twitter.com/eweboy28cp

— PFF College (@PFF_College) February 1, 2025

More on the Seattle Seahawks

• Mina Kimes weighs in on Seahawks’ Metcalf, Lockett news
• Salk: There’s a lot to unpack with Seattle Seahawks and DK Metcalf
• Rost: Where will DK go? 4 potential Seattle Seahawks trade partners
• Why did DK request trade from Seattle Seahawks? Bump’s take
• A free agent who could help Seattle Seahawks fill void at WR

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