Seattle, WA
‘An awesome pick here’ – Experts grade Seahawks’ Grey Zabel pick, NFC West picks
The NFC West recorded three picks in the first round of the NFL draft, with the Los Angeles Rams trading back completely out of Round 1.
A mixed bag for rivals San Francisco 49ers and Arizona Cardinals, with the Grey Zabel pick for the Seattle Seahawks being highly praised.
Here’s a quick round up of the expert draft grades following the conclusion of Round 1.
San Francisco 49ers – Mykel Williams, Edge
Bleacher Report: C
FOX Sports: B-
Sports Illustrated: B-
CBS Sports: B
The Athletic: A
USA Today: B
And finally, Danny Kelly at the Ringer : C+
Arizona Cardinals – Walter Nolan, DL
Bleacher Report: A
FOX Sports: C+
Sports Illustrated: B
CBS Sports: B
The Athletic: B-
USA Today: B+
The Ringer: C
Seattle Seahawks – Grey Zabel, OL
Bleacher Report: A
FOX Sports: A-
Sports Illustrated: B+
CBS Sports: B
The Athletic: A+ (!)
USA Today: B-
The Ringer: B
Pro Football Network: A
Let’s dig a little deeper into the Seahawks praise.
Here’s why The Athletic gave a glowing review:
One of the smartest players in this class, Zabel played every position along the offensive line in college — and did so at a high level. He turned down big-time NIL money to stay at North Dakota State, then ultimately dominated at the Senior Bowl as arguably the best offensive lineman there.
For a team like Seattle, which has been trying to fix the interior of its offensive line for a half-decade now, this feels like an elite pick. Zabel (who helped run his family farm in college and will continue to do so during NFL offseasons) is one of the draft’s hardest workers. He’s a high-floor player who fills multiple needs for the Seahawks — an awesome pick here and a great fit.
Grade: A-plus
More insight from Pro Football Network:
There was talk that the Seahawks were eyeing a trade down at 18th overall, but in the end, they stood firm and selected Grey Zabel. Zabel was my 19th overall prospect, and he fills perhaps the Seahawks’ biggest need with Sam Darnold now in tow, reinforcing their interior offensive line.
There’s always a little bit of trepidation with FCS prospects making the jump to the NFL, but Zabel projects especially well on the interior. At 6’6”, 315 pounds, he’s quick, explosive, and malleable in recovery, with unnaturally easy flexibility and leverage acquisition. He can channel those athletic traits into impressive closing range and driving power.
Zabel will need to keep upping his play strength at the NFL level, but he has the athleticism, wicked hands, and tenacious road-grader mentality to prove he belongs, and he could feasibly grow into a quality starter at either guard or center.
This is the second year in a row the Seahawks have stuck with their mid-round pick and taken a player on the line of scrimmage. It unquestionably fills the biggest need on the team, and consensus at the moment was that Gray Zabel wasn’t an excessive reach, either. Hopefully John Schneider hit that beautiful space where need meets talent, as Zabel has been mocked to Seattle for nearly a month now.
Seattle, WA
‘Do you care more about the kids or the drug addicts?’: Jake calls out Seattle for potential homeless shelters near schools – MyNorthwest.com
After the Seattle City Council moved forward with legislation that would expand temporary homeless shelters without buffer zones near schools, KIRO host Jake Skorheim questioned who the city really cares about.
Jake wondered aloud about what goes on in a Seattle City Council member’s head, assuming they even read the proposal.
“They see the thing, they go like, ‘Well, what do we think about this one here, about school zones?’ They’re like, ‘I don’t know about that. Let’s scratch that out. We can have homeless people around school zones, drug addicts, people who are trying to get their fix,’” he said on “The Jake and Spike Show” on KIRO Newsradio.
Seattle legislation would increase shelter capacity by 50%
If approved, the legislation would let temporary shelter sites, including tiny home villages, RV safe lots, and tent encampments, increase capacity by 50%, raising the maximum from 100 to 150 residents.
Approved amendments would require sites with more than 100 beds to maintain public safety plans and around-the-clock staffing. Another amendment would require shelters to establish agreements with surrounding neighborhoods outlining expectations for resident behavior and site management. A final amendment mandates at least one manager for every 15 high-needs residents.
Still, several nonprofits urged council members to pass the bill without amendments, arguing the added restrictions could slow resources to people experiencing homelessness and further stigmatize them.
Jake had a question for city leaders: “Who do you care more about? You care more about the kids or the homeless drug addicts?”
Watch the full discussion in the video above.
Listen to “The Jake and Spike Show” weekdays from noon to 3 p.m. on KIRO Newsradio 97.3 FM. Subscribe to the podcast here.
Seattle, WA
Seattle beer garden employee found fatally shot inside business
SEATTLE — Seattle police are investigating a homicide after a man was found dead Saturday morning at a business in the city’s Lake City neighborhood, authorities said.
Officers responded to the 8500 block of Lake City Way Northeast after employees arriving to open the Growler Guys, a beer garden and restaurant, discovered a deceased man inside around 9 a.m. Saturday, Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes said at the scene.
The man, who police confirmed to be an employee in his early 20s, appeared to have died from gunshot wounds, Barnes said.
Seattle Fire Department personnel pronounced him dead.
Dozens of friends and family members of the young victim spent hours on the scene Saturday, and many were visibly overcome with emotion.
Kelly Dole, owner of the Growler Guys, described the victim as a warm, light-hearted young man.
“He was the type of friend that everybody wanted to have,” Dole said. “His group of friends, which includes my son, are really going to miss him. They’re about as tight as a group of young men can be.”
The victim had been working at the business the night before; however, Seattle police have not confirmed when the shooting happened or what may have led up to it.
“When we have things like this, we have to reevaluate what we could’ve done better,” Chief Barnes said. “How can we make sure that we’re doing everything in our power to bring justice to this family, because quite frankly, they deserve it.”
Detectives are focusing their investigation on the business and were processing the scene for evidence Saturday. Officers, investigators, chaplains, and support services were present.
The restaurant’s owners are cooperating with police, Barnes said. Dole was emotional while speaking with KOMO News about how the tragic shooting has shaken his neighborhood business.
“He always had a smile; he was so buoyant, you could never get him down,” Dole talked about the victim. “The world lost someone important today.”
Authorities said residents can expect an increased police presence in the area as the investigation continues and in the coming days.
There is no suspect information at this time, and police did not make any arrests. The circumstances leading up to the killing are under investigation.
Anyone with information is asked to call the SPD Violent Crimes Tip Line at 206-233-5000.
The killing marks Seattle’s 12th homicide of the year, according to Barnes.
This is a developing news story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
Seattle, WA
Where to watch Seattle Mariners vs Chicago White Sox: TV channel, start time, streaming for May 9
What to know about MLB’s ABS robot umpire strike zone system
MLB launches ABS challenge system as players test robot umpire calls in a groundbreaking season.
Baseball is back and finding what channel your favorite team is playing on has become a little bit more confusing since MLB announced plans to produce and distribute broadcasts for nearly a third of the league.
We’re here to help. Here’s everything you need to know Saturday as the Seattle Mariners visit the Chicago White Sox.
See USA TODAY’s sortable MLB schedule to filter by team or division.
What time is Seattle Mariners vs Chicago White Sox?
First pitch between the Chicago White Sox and Seattle Mariners is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. (ET) on Saturday, May 9.
How to watch Seattle Mariners vs Chicago White Sox on Saturday
All times Eastern and accurate as of Saturday, May 9, 2026, at 6:32 a.m.
Watch MLB all season long with Fubo
MLB regional blackout restrictions apply
MLB scores, results
MLB scores for May 9 games are available on usatoday.com . Here’s how to access today’s results:
See scores, results for all of today’s games.
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