The Seattle Seahawks entered the 2025 NFL Draft with plenty of room for improvement on the offensive side of the ball, but how much would the team actually build around Sam Darnold?
The first priority was always going to be the offensive line, so it made sense that Seattle drafted Grey Zabel out of North Dakota State to play either guard or tackle. After that, general manager John Schneider filled out his latest version of the Legion of Boom for Seahawks by drafting safety Nick Emmanwori out of South Carolina (after a trade up).
The next pick was a bit of a shock. Despite the Seahawks still having Noah Fant on the team Seattle chose to draft Elijah Arroyo, TE Miami. Why make that pick? It turns out John Schneider had a specific reason in mind.
On the surface it might look like a strange fit, but new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak confirmed that he will use plenty of 12 personnel earlier this spring with his second tight end sometimes shifting into the backfield (operating in a hybrid FB/HB/TE role). Elijah Arroyo immediately fills that specific scheme-necessary role as the versatile, do-everything, move-everywhere tight end for the Seahawks' new offensive system.
With Elijah Arroyo on the field alongside Noah Fant that gives the Seahawks their likely best offensive personnel grouping, also leaning on their top two wide receivers Cooper Kupp and Jaxon Smith-Njigba. This should help Sam Darnold hit the ground running in year one for Seattle with plenty of receiving weapons all around him in a scheme that hides its intentions pre-snap better than most any in the league.
Elijah Arroyo Scouting Report
Tight End, Miami (FL)
Age (Birthday): 22 (04/05/2003)
A to Z Sports Expected Draft Position: 67
Pre-Draft Round Projection: 3
Elijah Arroyo is a fun tight end prospect who immediately adds a mismatch weapon to an offense. His athleticism and hands make him a devastating threat up the seams, routinely generating explosive plays every game in college. He's not a traditional in-line tight end and will need to be deployed around the formation, but that's becoming more and more common these days. He should be a productive playmaker for several years as he adjusts to the NFL. - A to Z Sports' AJ Schulte
Career Projection: Immediate Quality Starter
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And if you want to check out some of the plays that made Elijah Arroyo the easy selection for the Seattle Seahawks in round two of the 2025 NFL Draft you can watch the video below!
