Seattle Seahawks projected to reach for second-round prospect at 18 in 2025 NFL draft

There's a lot of different directions the Seattle Seahawks could go with their first-round pick in the 2025 NFL draft. Slated to pick at number 18 overall, they'll be out of reach for the top quarterback prospects like Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders and blue chip defensive pieces like Abdul Carter and Mason Graham. However, they could still land some very impactful players at positions of need.

Specfically, we know that they desperately need to improve their interior offensive line. The Seahawks will also likely need an infusion of fresh blood to their edge rotation and interior defensive line group.

One scenario that we haven't thought about - but probably should - is Seattle's front office throwing a total curve ball and picking somebody who isn't even on our radar. That would jive with a number of picks the team made during the Pete Carroll era. A new mock draft from Josh Edwards at CBS Sports is predicting that the Seahawks will take South Carolina safety Nick Emmanwori at 18 overall.

CBS Sports on Seahawks-Nick Emmanwori

"Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald had Kyle Hamilton in Baltimore. He lands his version of Hamilton as Nick Emmanwori transitions to the Pacific Northwest. Emmanwori is a bigger safety who can step into the box or stay back in coverage."

Emmanwori (6-foot-3, 227 pounds) has posted six interceptions, 11 pass breakups and four tackles for a loss during his time with the Gamecocks.

With this team you can never completely rule out any one scenario, but consider us not huge fans of this particular idea. Kyle Hamilton was a legitimate top-10 prospect, meanwhile Emmanwori is ranked 50th overall by CBS Sports. That would make this pick a real reach, especially considering the Seahawks hold the 50th overall pick in the draft themselves.

Emmanwori is a fine prospect and might very well develop into a Kyle Hamilton-like star, but to reach for a safety at this spot when Seattle's roster has such far greater needs on both sides of the line of scrimmage would be bad process.

That's even without mentioning that the Seahawks already have an excellent safety room. Julian Love should have been a Pro Bowler, Coby Bryant has come on very strong since moving to free safety and Rayshawn Jenkins is a superb number three option.

We can see the Seahawks going defense-first to help build on the great work that Mike Macdonald did this season. However, if they do it should be up front - which is where they need to catch up with the real contenders around the league.

If they don't go defense first there were still some very strong skill players available in CBS's mock. Missouri's Luther Burden III came of the board next and he'd be a great candidate to replace Tyler Lockett at WR3. Ohio State's Emeka Egbuka - who went to the Steelers at 21st overall - could also fill that role.

Bottom line - we'd prefer to see the Seahawks take somebody else at that spot - and if they're going to reach for anybody at 18 it better be for a quarterback.