ESPN analyst gives Seahawks ‘true number one receiver’ in 2025 NFL mock draft

While the 2024 draft class hasn’t played a down in the NFL yet, that’s not stopping us from looking at the 2025 class. That’s how it works in this content-driven universe, and you better believe there’s an interesting mock draft pick for the Seattle Seahawks.

ESPN’s Matt Miller does not have the Seahawks taking a quarterback in Round 1 next year, but he has them leaning toward offense with the No. 11 overall pick (using the Football Power Index simulations). Another wide receiver, you say? Yes. And his reasoning may have you rolling eyes and/or raising eyebrows.

From beyond the paywall:

Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona*

Seattle has one of the NFL’s best receiving corps, but it’s also a unit poised for a breakup. Tyler Lockett — who is entering his age-32 season — and DK Metcalf both have potential outs in their contracts after this coming season. Yes, second-year receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba will factor into the Seahawks’ future plans, but adding a true No. 1 receiver with size is a sneaky need. McMillan is massive at 6-foot-5 and 210 pounds, and his catch radius seems unlimited. He grabbed 90 passes for 1,402 yards and 10 touchdowns last season and is poised for another huge year with quarterback Noah Fifita returning.

I’ll be very clear that I ordinarily wouldn’t run this type of article because I really don’t like “year in advance” mock drafts. But it’s also a holiday week, the Seahawks have had a very quiet last month or so, and there’s going to be some dead time while we wait for training camp to start. We’ll all live if we let this one slide.

The McMillan pick sounds intriguing because his film is exciting. Seahawks offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb and offensive line coach Scott Huff will be familiar with McMillan, having watched him up-close when the Washington Huskies and Arizona Wildcats were Pac-12 rivals. McMillan’s two games against the Huskies saw him snag 13 passes for 177 yards and 4 touchdowns, albeit in losing efforts. Arizona was a surprise 10-3 last season under current Huskies head coach Jedd Fisch, and McMillan was one of the main factors in the Wildcats’ turnaround.

With that said, “adding a true No. 1 receiver with size is a sneaky need.” Is “with size” the qualifier? Because it’s not like that’s an absolute requirement for a true number one receiver. And even without the size factor, it implies that neither DK Metcalf (who has size) nor Jaxon Smith-Njigba (who doesn’t have great size) is capable of being a top WR. From the Metcalf side, whether he’s a No. 1 caliber receiver or not, it isn’t unthinkable that he’s dealt before the 2025 season given his looming contract extension, but I really hope JSN can be numero uno or close to it by the end of his rookie deal.

Geno Smith and Sam Howell’s contracts both end after 2025, which is why it’s logical to think Seattle would look at a QB early next year. For curious readers, his top quarterbacks are Georgia’s Carson Beck (No. 1 to the New York Giants via trade), Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders (No. 2 to the Las Vegas Raiders via trade), Texas’ Quinn Ewers (No. 10 to the New Orleans Saints), Texas A&M’s Connor Weigman (No. 19 to the Los Angeles Rams), and Notre Dame’s Riley Leonard (No. 20 to the New York Jets). Beck, Ewers, and Weigman are all underclassmen and thus could stay in school another year. I would be shocked if five quarterbacks went in Round 1 in a supposedly weaker class, but even Miller admits that a whole lot will change that will shake this order up.

Anyway, maybe you see things differently. Ignore the hypothetical No. 11 slot and and envision the future of the Seahawks receiving corps? Would you rather move on from DK (and Lockett, basically) and rebuild around JSN and McMillan (or some other rookie first-round receiver)? Sound off in the comments, because I don’t have much reason to do this topic again until it’s absolutely necessary.