Seattle Seahawks

Team Overview

The Seattle Seahawks enter 2025 with a revamped offense under head coach Mike Macdonald, who’s looking to build on a 10-7 season that narrowly missed the playoffs. Trading Geno Smith for Sam Darnold and swapping DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett for Cooper Kupp signals a bold shift toward a physical, run-heavy identity. The defense, led by a versatile secondary, remains a strength. For survivor pool players, Seattle’s schedule offers a mix of winnable home games and tricky road tests, making strategic timing critical.


Team Roster Review

Offense

  • Quarterback: Sam Darnold (new signing, 7.9 YPA in 2024), Sam Howell (backup), Jalen Milroe (rookie). Darnold’s familiarity with Klint Kubiak’s scheme gives him an edge, but his 8.1% sack rate under pressure highlights the offensive line’s importance. Milroe’s athleticism adds a developmental wildcard.
  • Running Backs: Kenneth Walker III (1,115 yards, 8 TDs in 2024), Zach Charbonnet, Damien Martinez (rookie). Walker’s explosiveness pairs well with Martinez’s 4.5 yards after contact, creating a dynamic backfield for Kubiak’s run-focused scheme.
  • Wide Receivers: Cooper Kupp (new signing), Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Tory Horton (rookie), Ricky White III (rookie). Kupp’s veteran presence stabilizes a group losing Metcalf and Lockett, while Horton’s speed adds a deep threat.
  • Tight Ends: Elijah Arroyo (rookie), A.J. Barner, Noah Fant. Arroyo’s pass-catching ability (71.4% first-down/touchdown rate in 2024) complements Barner’s rookie promise, but Fant’s inconsistency remains a concern.
  • Offensive Line: LT Charles Cross, LG Sataoa Laumea, C Olu Oluwatimi, RG Grey Zabel (rookie), RT Abraham Lucas, Bryce Cabeldue (rookie, depth), Mason Richman (rookie, depth). The line, Seattle’s Achilles’ heel (26th in pass-blocking grade in 2024), gets a boost with Zabel’s versatility but remains a work in progress.


Defense

  • Defensive Line: Edge: Uchenna Nwosu, Boye Mafe, Derick Hall. Interior: Leonard Williams (11 sacks in 2024), Jarran Reed, Byron Murphy II, Rylie Mills (rookie). Williams and Reed anchor a solid front, with Murphy and Mills adding depth to a unit that struggled against the run (4.6 yards per carry allowed).
  • Linebackers: Ernest Jones (extension signed), Tyrel Dodson, Josh Ross. Jones is a tackling machine, but depth is thin, relying on Macdonald’s scheme to mask gaps.
  • Secondary: CB Devon Witherspoon, Riq Woolen, Tre Brown, S Julian Love, Rayshawn Jenkins, Nick Emmanwori (rookie). A Pro Bowl-caliber group with Emmanwori’s Kam Chancellor-like size and speed adding versatility. Ranked top-10 in pass defense in 2024.
  • Special Teams: K Jason Myers, P Michael Dickson, Returner Dee Williams. Myers is reliable (94% FG in 2024), and Dickson’s punting remains elite, but return games need consistency.


2025 Draft Class

Seattle’s 2025 draft focused heavily on offense (9 of 11 picks), addressing the line and adding playmakers.

  • Round 1, Pick 18: G Grey Zabel (North Dakota State) – Versatile, hard-working lineman; dominated Senior Bowl. Immediate starter.
  • Round 2, Pick 35: S Nick Emmanwori (South Carolina) – Big, explosive safety; evokes Kam Chancellor.
  • Round 2, Pick 50: TE Elijah Arroyo (Miami) – Pass-catching threat with vertical speed.
  • Round 3, Pick 92: QB Jalen Milroe (Alabama) – Elite athlete, developmental QB with high upside.
  • Round 5, Pick 142: DT Rylie Mills (Notre Dame) – High-motor tackle with 7.5 sacks in 2024.
  • Round 5, Pick 166: WR Tory Horton (Colorado State) – Speedy deep threat for run-after-catch.
  • Round 5, Pick 175: FB Robbie Ouzts (Alabama) – Throwback fullback, questionable fit for modern NFL.
  • Round 6, Pick 192: G Bryce Cabeldue (Kansas) – Tackle-to-guard convert, adds depth.
  • Round 7, Pick 223: RB Damien Martinez (Miami) – Power runner, great value (4.5 yards after contact).
  • Round 7, Pick 234: T/G Mason Richman (Iowa) – Another tackle-to-guard project for depth.
  • Round 7, Pick 238: WR Ricky White III (UNLV) – Productive (1,000 yards/year), roster bubble player.


Team Offense and Defense Metrics (2024 Season)

Offense

  • 21st in points per game (21.3). Below-average scoring reflected struggles in pass protection (21st in pass-block win rate, 58%) and run blocking (28th, 69%). Geno Smith’s 7.6 YPA was solid, but pressure led to inconsistency.
  • 2025 Outlook: Darnold’s efficiency (7.9 YPA, 6.4% TD rate) and Kubiak’s play-action scheme should improve output, but the offensive line’s development is critical.


Defense

  • Top-10 in pass defense (196.5 yards per game allowed), driven by Witherspoon and Love. Run defense was weak (27th, 4.6 yards per carry allowed). 41 sacks (15th) show pass-rush potential.
  • 2025 Outlook: Emmanwori’s addition and Macdonald’s scheme should elevate the secondary further, but run defense needs work.


2025 Schedule Analysis

Seattle’s schedule ranks 13th-easiest based on opponent win totals, offering survivor pool opportunities but with divisional and road challenges. Below is the schedule with win probabilities (based on Vegas odds and historical data) and survivor pool fit:

Week Date Opponent Location Time/Network Win Probability Survivor Pool Fit
1 Sun, 9/7 San Francisco 49ers Home 4:05 PM, FOX 45% Poor: Divisional rival with strong offense; risky opener.
2 Sun, 9/14 Pittsburgh Steelers Away 1:00 PM, FOX 40% Avoid: Tough road game against a physical Steelers team.
3 Sun, 9/21 New Orleans Saints Home 4:05 PM, CBS 60% Decent: Winnable home game, but Saints’ offense can be tricky.
4 Thu, 9/25 Arizona Cardinals Away 8:15 PM, PRIME 50% Poor: Divisional road game; Cardinals’ pass rush is a threat.
5 Sun, 10/5 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Home 4:05 PM, CBS 65% Streamable: Bucs’ new coordinator could disrupt rhythm; good home spot.
6 Sun, 10/12 Jacksonville Jaguars Away 1:00 PM, FOX 55% Decent: Jaguars’ roster lacks depth; winnable but not a lock.
7 Sun, 10/19 Houston Texans Home 10:00 PM, ESPN 50% Poor: Texans’ young talent makes this a coin-flip at home.
8 Sun, Oct 26 New Orleans Saints Away 4:05 PM, FOX 45% Avoid: Road game against a rested Saints team; risky.
9 Sun, 11/2 Washington Commanders Home 8:20 PM, NBC 60% Streamable: Commanders’ rookie QB could struggle; solid home pick.
10 Sun, 11/9 Arizona Cardinals Away 4:05 PM, CBS 45% Poor: Divisional road game; avoid due to volatility.
11 Sun, 11/16 Los Angeles Rams Home 4:05 PM, FOX 55% Decent: Divisional game, but home advantage helps.
12 Sun, 11/23 Tennessee Titans Away 1:00 PM, FOX 60% Streamable: Titans’ rebuild makes this a winnable road game.
13 Sun, 11/30 Minnesota Vikings Home 4:05 PM, FOX 55% Decent: Vikings’ QB uncertainty helps, but divisional-like intensity.
14 Dec 7 Atlanta Falcons Away 1:00 PM, FOX 50% Poor: Falcons’ new QB era adds unpredictability; tough road spot.
15 Sun, 12/14 Indianapolis Colts Home 4:25 PM, CBS 65% Top-Tier Anchor: Colts’ inconsistent offense makes this a safe home pick.
16 Thu, 12/18 Los Angeles Rams Away 8:15 PM, PRIME 45% Avoid: Divisional road game; Rams’ offense is dangerous.
17 Sun, 12/28 Carolina Panthers Away 1:00 PM, TBD 70% Top-Tier Anchor: Panthers’ offense struggles; prime road pick.
18 Sat, 1/4 San Francisco 49ers Away 1:00 PM, TBD 40% Avoid: Divisional road finale; 49ers likely fighting for playoffs.

Notes on Key Stats from 2024

  • Home vs. Road Splits: Seattle went 3-6 at home but 7-1 on the road, a rare split that suggests comfort in hostile environments.
  • Pressure Sensitivity: Geno Smith’s 8.1% sack rate under pressure mirrors Darnold’s 22.1% sack rate when pressured, underscoring the need for line improvement.
  • Run Defense Woes: Allowing 1.64 yards before contact on runs (28th) highlights a front-seven weakness that could be exploited by run-heavy teams like Pittsburgh or San Francisco.
  • Turnover Margin: Seattle’s +5 turnover margin (12th) was driven by the secondary’s playmaking, a trend likely to continue with Emmanwori’s addition.


Survivor Pool Strategy

Seattle’s 2025 schedule offers a few anchor spots but requires careful navigation due to divisional gauntlets and Darnold’s inconsistency under pressure. The Seahawks are best used as Streamable picks in home games against weaker opponents or road games against rebuilding teams. Avoid them in divisional matchups or against playoff-caliber teams, where their offensive line could falter. Their 13th-easiest schedule provides opportunities, but don’t burn them early when better options exist.


Best Survivor Picks

  • Week 15 vs. Indianapolis Colts (Home, 65%): The Colts’ offense struggles with consistency, and Seattle’s home crowd should rattle a young QB. A safe anchor pick late in the season.
  • Week 17 @ Carolina Panthers (Away, 70%): Carolina’s offense ranked dead last in points per game in 2024 (13.9). Seattle’s road prowess makes this a top-tier pick.
  • Week 5 vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Home, 65%): Tampa’s new offensive coordinator could lead to early-season kinks, making this a solid home spot.


Weeks to Avoid

  • Week 1 vs. San Francisco 49ers (Home, 45%): Divisional opener against a playoff contender is too risky for survivor pools.
  • Week 2 @ Pittsburgh Steelers (Away, 40%): Pittsburgh’s physicality and home-field advantage spell trouble for Seattle’s line.
  • Week 16 @ Los Angeles Rams (Away, 45%): Late-season divisional road game against a potent Rams offense is a trap.
  • Week 18 @ San Francisco 49ers (Away, 40%): Season finale on the road against a likely playoff-bound 49ers team is a no-go.


Additional Survivor Pool Considerations

  • Bye Week Impact: Seattle’s bye week isn’t listed but is optimally placed per analysts, likely around mid-season, giving them a rest advantage in Weeks 15 and 17.
  • Divisional Gauntlet: Six divisional games (three vs. 49ers/Rams, two vs. Cardinals) are spread across the season, increasing volatility. Save Seattle for non-divisional matchups.
  • Darnold’s Volatility: His 28.2% boom plays (1.0+ EPA) but 17.7% bust plays (-1.0 EPA) mean Seattle could swing wildly week-to-week, making them a riskier pick against strong defenses.
  • Road Strength: Seattle’s 7-1 road record in 2024 suggests they could be a sneaky road pick, like Week 17 @ Carolina, if you’re in a pinch.


Final Verdict

The Seattle Seahawks are a mid-tier survivor pool option for 2025, with a favorable schedule but vulnerabilities up front. Their revamped offense, led by Darnold and Kupp, offers upside, but the offensive line’s growth is pivotal. Use them in Weeks 15 (vs. Colts) or 17 (@ Panthers) for safe wins, and avoid divisional traps or games against physical defenses. With smart timing, Seattle can be a clutch pick to keep your pool alive late in the season.

  • What are the best weeks to pick the Seattle Seahawks in a 2025 NFL Survivor Pool?

    Weeks 15 (vs. Indianapolis) and 17 (@ Carolina) are prime due to favorable matchups against weaker offenses and Seattle’s road reliability. Week 5 (vs. Tampa Bay) is also a solid early option.

  • Why should I avoid the Seahawks in divisional games for survivor pools?

    Divisional games (Weeks 1, 4, 10, 11, 16, 18) are volatile due to familiarity and Seattle’s inconsistent line play. Opponents like the 49ers and Rams have the firepower to exploit weaknesses, making these risky picks.

  • How does Seattle’s offensive line impact their 2025 survivor pool value?

    The line’s 26th-ranked pass-blocking and 24th-ranked run-blocking grades in 2024 highlight a weakness. New additions like Grey Zabel help, but pressure-sensitive Darnold could struggle against strong fronts, lowering win probabilities in tough matchups.

References

  • Sharp Football Analysis: 2025 NFL Strength of Schedule
  • The Athletic: Seattle Seahawks 2025 NFL Draft Pick Tracker
  • Seahawks.com: Meet the Seahawks 2025 Draft Class
  • Seahawks.com: 2025 NFL Draft Grades
  • Sharp Football Analysis: Seahawks 2025 Draft Needs & Analysis
  • The Athletic: Seahawks 2025 NFL Draft Takeaways
  • Wikipedia: 2024 Seattle Seahawks Season
  • Seahawks.com: 2024 Seattle Seahawks Roster Breakdown
  • @MikeDugar: Seahawks 2025 Draft Class
  • @BradyHenderson: Seahawks 2025 Draft
  • @gbellseattle: Analysis of Seahawks 2025 Schedule
  • @SeahawkNerd: Seahawks 2025 Win Probability Simulations