NFL Draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah has released his third mock draft of the 2025 offseason.
In his first mock draft, he had the Seattle Seahawks taking Kenneth Grant, defensive tackle out of Michigan. For the second mock draft, Jeremiah had the Seahawks taking Grey Zabel, offensive lineman out of North Dakota State.
Now in the third iteration, Zabel is already taken by the Arizona Cardinals at pick 16, however Grant is still available to Seattle at 18. Other notable options available for Seattle in this mock were quarterback Jaxson Dart, wide receiver Tetairoa McMillian, and safety Nick Emmanwori (whom is set to take a 30-visit to Seattle.) Despite these intriguing options, Jeremiah has Seattle selecting Colston Loveland, a tight end out of Michigan.
In his selection, Jeremiah states:
“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.”
Loveland at number 18 would be a great value pick (as Jeremiah lists him as his sixth best player in the entire draft.) However, like running backs, is the position value of a tight end worth Seattle’s first round pick? Especially when tight end is not an immediate need for Seattle, who already have Noah Fant and AJ Barner as a solid 1-2 punch at the position.
However, Schneider may not be fully satisfied with the tight end position just yet. Just this week, it was reported that the Seahawks unsuccessfully pursued Saints’ tight end, Juwan Johnson. Johnson ultimately resigned with the New Orleans Saints on a three-year contract worth over $30 million, including $21.25 million fully guaranteed. This pursuit of Johnson is interesting for a few reasons; (1) Johnson is a similar type prospect to Loveland, both of which are known more for their pass catching than run blocking, and (2) if Schneider is willing to significantly add to the tight end room via free agency or draft, could that mean that Noah Fant is on the trade block?
It is already being speculated by Field Gulls’ Mookie Alexander, and rightfully so. Fant, if cut or traded would save the Seahawks $8.9 million against the cap, with only a $4.5 million dead cap hit. If Seattle were successful in bringing in a tight end like Johnson, or if they end up drafting a tight end in the first round, like Loveland, it begs the question; would Seattle need all three tight ends (including Fant and Barner)? That is not even including Brady Russell as well.
There are reasons Seattle could opt to keep all three tight ends in this hypothetical. Kubiak is set to use a lot more 12 personnel (one running back, two tight ends), so the need for three solid options may be needed. Additionally, Seattle is not necessarily in cap trouble right now, so saving $8.9 million by trading/cutting Fant likely is not necessary.
With all that said, if during the draft, another team floats an intriguing pick or player at another position, Schneider could be tempted to say yes. Either way, this time of year is all about draft and roster speculation. And it is only a little over a month till the NFL Draft is here and answers/silences all this speculation.