Whereas the 2024 draft class hasn’t performed a down within the NFL but, that’s not stopping us from trying 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 yr, however he has them leaning towards offense with the No. 11 general choose (utilizing the Soccer Energy Index simulations). One other large receiver, you say? Sure. And his reasoning could 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, but it surely’s additionally a unit poised for a breakup. Tyler Lockett — who’s coming 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 very large 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 yr with quarterback Noah Fifita returning.
I’ll be very clear that I ordinarily wouldn’t run this sort of article as a result of I actually don’t like “yr 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 lifeless time whereas we await coaching camp to start out. We’ll all dwell 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 will likely be aware of McMillan, having watched him up-close when the Washington Huskies and Arizona Wildcats have been Pac-12 rivals. McMillan’s two video games in opposition to 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 underneath present Huskies head coach Jedd Fisch, and McMillan was one of many fundamental components within the Wildcats’ turnaround.
With that mentioned, “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 facet, 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 might be numero uno or near it by the top of his rookie deal.
Geno Smith and Sam Howell’s contracts each finish after 2025, which is why it’s logical to suppose Seattle would take a look at a QB early subsequent yr. For curious readers, his high quarterbacks are Georgia’s Carson Beck (No. 1 to the New York Giants by way of commerce), Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders (No. 2 to the Las Vegas Raiders by way of 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 might keep in class one other yr. I’d 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 may shake this order up.
Anyway, perhaps 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 quite transfer on from DK (and Lockett, mainly) and rebuild round JSN and McMillan (or another rookie first-round receiver)? Hold forth within the feedback, as a result of I don’t have a lot motive to do that matter once more till it’s completely needed.
