GREAT 🤝 Seattle Seahawks draft ACC pass rusher in first round

With just days left until the 2025 NFL Draft, Pro Football Focus (PFF) has made an unexpected prediction for the Seattle Seahawks: they project Seattle to select Boston College edge rusher Donovan Ezeiruaku with the 18th overall pick.

While many analysts and fans believe Seattle will address their offensive line in the first round, or perhaps trade down or take a wide receiver or cornerback, there are signs they might be eyeing a defensive end instead. The Seahawks hosted several edge prospects—Shemar Stewart (Texas A&M), Mykel Williams (Georgia), Jihaad Campbell (Alabama), and Princely Umanmielen (Ole Miss)—for top-30 visits. Each of these players is expected to be drafted no later than early in Round 2.

This could be a smokescreen—or a sign that Seattle truly intends to prioritize pass rush early.

PFF’s latest seven-round mock draft has the Seahawks taking Ezeiruaku at No. 18. According to their breakdown, Seattle may have hoped Jihaad Campbell would fall to them, but with him off the board, they opt for the next-best edge rusher in Ezeiruaku, who had an impressive 2024 season with 14 sacks, 20 QB hits, and 26 hurries, earning a 90.5 pass-rushing grade.

At 6’2” and 247 pounds, Ezeiruaku fits Seattle’s preference for smaller, more athletic edge rushers. He posted strong combine numbers, including a 35.5” vertical and 4.19-second 20-yard shuttle, although his overall athletic score was brought down by his size.

While some might view this as a reach—since Ezeiruaku is projected by some to go late in the second round—Seattle might be betting on strengthening their biggest strength: pass rushing. It’s a move that echoes strategies used by teams like the Eagles, who have built dominant defenses by stacking pass rush talent.

Still, with a deep edge class this year (Dane Brugler ranks 18 edge rushers in the top 100), the Seahawks could choose to address another position first and grab an edge rusher later.

If Seattle does select Ezeiruaku, he’d likely compete with Boye Mafe and Derick Hall for backup roles behind starters Uchenna Nwosu and DeMarcus Lawrence.