Seahawks Projected to Target QB on the Rise as Potential Sam Darnold Replacement

The Seattle Seahawks just drafted quarterback Jalen Milroe in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft. But that didn’t stop Pro Football Sports Network’s Max Dorsey from projecting the Seahawks from grabbing another signal-caller on Day 2 of the 2026 Draft with Pitt quarterback Eli Holstein.

Dorsey predicted the Seahawks to grab Holstein in his newest 2026 NFL Draft three-round mock draft on Saturday. Dorsey slotted Holstein to Seattle at No. 79 overall in the third round.

Holstein is getting some attention as a potential Day 2 selection a few months after On3’s Thomas Goldkamp ranked the Pitt signal-caller the No. 13 quarterback in college football entering 2025.

At Pitt last season, Holstein was a starter for the first time in his college career. He transferred to the Panthers from the Alabama Crimson Tide.

Holstein won his first seven starts of 2024. Over the entire season, he posted a 61.9% completion percentage with 2,228 passing yards, 17 touchdowns and seven interceptions in 10 games.

He averaged 7.7 yards per attempt and 222.8 passing yards per game.

Will Seahawks Draft Another QB in 2026 NFL Draft?

There’s obviously still a long way to go before next year’s NFL Draft. How the season unfolds, both in the NFL and college, will greatly impact what happens in the draft next spring.

But PFSN has already been pushing the idea of the Seahawks being in the quarterback market again.

PFSN’s Mark Stolte predicted on June 7 that Seattle would draft LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier at No. 10 overall in 2026.

“Garrett Nussmeier’s top trait is sack avoidance — something the Seattle Seahawks will value after a rough year with Sam Darnold behind a bad line. Unlike his time in Minnesota, Darnold didn’t have elite receivers, protection, or play-calling to help him out. That’s why grabbing Nussmeier on a rookie deal matters,” wrote Stolte.

“Aside from avoiding sacks, the Nuss Buss has great anticipation on throws. He can put zip on it and isn’t afraid to squeeze it into tight windows. Nussmeier ranked 11th in EPA last year on throws targeting the slot — great news for a team that has both Cooper Kupp and Jaxon Smith-Njigba.”

Interestingly, Dorsey projected Seattle to pass on Nussmeier and draft Utah offensive tackle Spencer Fano in the first round. Nussmeier then landed with the Pittsburgh Steelers at No. 19 overall.

But Dorsey had Seattle drafting Holstein before the end of Day 2.

With the Seahawks adding Sam Darnold on a $100.5 million contract and Milroe in the third round this past offseason, it seems unlikely that the Seahawks would select a quarterback that high in 2026. But stranger things have happened.

If neither Darnold nor Milroe offer Seattle an improvement over Geno Smith, then the team could be back in the quarterback market immediately.

What Pitt QB Eli Holstein Could Offer Seahawks

The 2026 quarterback class is expected to be much deeper than the 2025 class. That’s another reason why it wouldn’t be surprising if the Seahawks grab a quarterback again next spring.

Given all the potential quarterbacks in next year’s draft, Holstein is an under-the-radar target entering the fall. His 7-0 start at Pitt last season was the program’s best record to begin a campaign since 1982.

But the Panthers finished on a six-game losing streak in part because of injuries to Holstein.

His start to the year, though, still has pundits feeling optimistic about the quarterback and Pitt in 2025. Holstein threw for more than 300 yards and three touchdowns in four of his first five starts.

If he can produce at that level again and stay healthy for the entire 2025 season, Holstein could emerge as a quality Day 2 quarterback target for the 2026 draft.