Seattle, WA
Seattle Seahawks Mock Draft Roundup: Who will be No. 16 pick?
The NFL combine kicked off this week, and that’s always a key part of the NFL Draft cycle for the Seattle Seahawks and the other 31 teams as they scout top prospects.
Before Seahawks, Macdonald was most ‘consequential’ hire at Michigan
Barring a trade up or down, the Hawks hold the No. 16 overall selection this year.
So who will be the first draft pick of the Mike Macdonald era? Here’s who some top NFL Draft analysts have the Seattle Seahawks taking in their most recent mock drafts.
ESPN’s Mel Kiper – Washington offensive lineman Troy Fautanu
Mel Kiper, who revolutionized NFL Draft coverage, has the Seahawks going local in the first round.
“OK, so guard might not be the most exciting position for a mock draft, but I can assure you that Seahawks fans should be happy with Fautanu, who could stay near where he went to college. That’s because he’s a fun offensive line prospect to watch on tape. He has excellent feet and plays hard on every snap. Fautanu started 28 games at left tackle for the Huskies, but I see his future on the interior because of his 6-foot-4 frame,” Kiper said.
Kiper noted that all three of Seattle’s Week 1 starting interior offensive linemen – center Evan Brown and guards Damien Lewis and Phil Haynes – are pending free agents.
“Seattle will have holes to fill along the interior of its line,” Kiper wrote. “And Seattle ranked 28th in rushing yards per game (92.9), surely new coordinator Ryan Grubb wants to see upgrades there. Fautanu would give this offense an instant boost.”
Fautanu to the Seahawks would mean he’d reunite with Grubb and Scott Huff, his offensive line coach at UW.
NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah – Texas defensive tackle Byron Murphy II
Daniel Jeremiah initially had the Seahawks selecting Fautanu in his last mock draft. This time around, he has the Hawks going with the other side of the ball in Texas defensive tackle Byron Murphy II.
“Leonard Williams is a pending free agent, but even if the Seahawks work out a deal with him, Murphy would be a nice complement on the interior defensive line,” he wrote.
NFL.com’s Bucky Brooks – Georgia tight end Brock Bowers
Jeremiah’s colleague Bucky Brooks has the Seahawks going a different route, instead drafting standout Georgia tight end Brock Bowers. Two of the Seahawks’ top tight end are pending free agents.
“Seattle needs a playmaker in the aerial attack with the potential to control the middle of the field,” Brooks said. “Bowers’ presence would create more big-play opportunities for the Seahawks’ perimeter pass catchers.”
The Ringer staff – Alabama edge rusher Dallas Turner
The fine folks at The Ringer teamed up for a mock draft this week and have the Seahawks selecting an edge rusher in Alabama’s Dallas Turner.
“Once Uchenna Nwosu went down midseason, Seattle’s lack of edge-rusher depth was sorely exposed. Now, with Mike Macdonald in place as the new head coach and defensive mind, Seattle doesn’t need elite play off the edge, but versatility would sure be welcome. Turner, who is 6-foot-4 and around 245 pounds, will need to have some value as a dropper in the league to stick. I think Macdonald would welcome his quick first step and surprising toughness against the run.”
The Athletic staff – Florida State edge rusher Jared Verse
At The Athletic, that team also has the Seahawks selecting an edge rusher, but instead of Turner, it’s Florida State’s Jared Verse.
“”First-time head coach Mike Macdonald inherits a defense that a year ago finished 28th in yards per rush and 20th in yards per pass attempt. In order to return to consistent contention in the NFC West, the Seahawks need to revitalize the side of the ball that once led them to back-to-back Super Bowls. Seattle acquired Leonard Williams from the Jets before the trade deadline, but it could still use a star edge rusher on the outside, and Verse fits the bill. In his last two years as a starter at FSU, Verse totaled 18 sacks and showed flashes of the terror he could become.”
Yahoo’s Charles McDonald and Nate Tice – Illinois defensive tackle Johnny Newton
At Yahoo Sports, Charles McDonald and Nate Tice teamed up for a mock draft and have the Seahawks taking big defensive tackle Johnny Newton from Illinois.
“Mike Macdonald will be able to cover up a lot with his knowledge and play-calling, but the Seahawks could still use a boost of talent on the interior of their defense,” they wrote. “Newton is one of the few premier interior defensive line talents in this class and would fit well.”
More on the Seattle Seahawks
• Huard: Time for Seahawks to be done with Jamal Adams
• Why Seahawks re-signing Leonard Williams is ‘real tricky’
• How does new salary cap impact Seahawks’ offseason?
• Seahawks Draft: Why J.J. McCarthy is ‘not an easy evaluation’
• Seahawks Draft: Analyst says Texas’ Byron Murphy has best D-tackle tape
• Three reasons not to worry about Seattle Seahawks coaches not attending combine
We haven’t been through The Junction in a few days so we don’t know how long this has been up, but this mural on the east side of the California/Erskine 7-Eleven caught our eye this evening, so we pulled over for a quick through-the-windshield pic. It bears both the Coca-Cola and 7-Eleven logos, so we’re pretty sure it’s official, though probably not part of the major Seattle World Cup mural project. (Seen other signs of World Cup mania-to-come in West Seattle? Let us know – thank you!)
SEATTLE — In neighborhoods like Little Saigon, near 12th and Jackson, the drug crisis is hard to miss.
Crowds gather on sidewalks, some openly using drugs while others sell stolen goods. The area has become one of Seattle’s most visible hotspots for crime, disorder, and overdose response.
RELATED | Seattle rolls out diversion program for misdemeanor drug cases
Seattle’s drug ordinance was meant to address scenes like this. It requires police to focus on diversion, not jail, for people caught using or possessing drugs.
On Tuesday, the Seattle City Council’s Public Safety Committee received a presentation on the effectiveness of the drug law and the diversion programs officers can make referrals to instead of jail.
Under department policy, officers are encouraged to refer people to treatment or services whenever possible. Arrest is supposed to be a last resort. And programs like LEAD, or Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion, are available 24/7 to divert people before they ever reach jail.
Research presented during the public safety presentation shows diversion can work. Independent studies found LEAD reduced repeat offenses by nearly 60%, cut felony charges, and significantly increased housing and employment outcomes.
However, the reality on the ground looks significantly different.
SEE ALSO | Belltown residents report rampant drug activity despite new SODA law
Open drug use remains a common sight in some of Seattle’s hardest-hit neighborhoods, even as the city’s drug law was designed to prioritize treatment over jail.
From 2024 to 2025, pre-arrest diversion dropped by 41%, and LEAD diversions overall fell by 30%. At the same time, arrests increased by 47%.
Funding cuts to LEAD in recent years had an impact on reducing its capacity, though that funding has since been stabilized.
During the meeting, Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes said diversion is still a key part of the solution, but not the only one. Barnes said officers need clearer standards for when to act, especially as the public grows frustrated seeing illegal drug use happening openly, sometimes right in front of police.
Current policy includes a broad checklist of factors before making an arrest, from a person’s behavior to their location near schools, parks, or transit. That complexity can lead to inaction.
SEE ALSO | Evaluating Seattle’s efforts against open-air drug use presents progress and challenges
Barnes also pointed to operational realities, including staffing challenges and limited diversion capacity, as factors affecting how the law is being enforced.
Meanwhile, illegal street sales continue to fuel the crisis, creating environments where drug use, theft, and violence intersect.
During public testimony at the start of the meeting, some community members said what’s needed is a more balanced approach, one that enforces clear public behavior standards while expanding access to treatment and outreach.
Without that, the system risks leaving neighborhoods unsafe while also not providing the help needed by people living with addiction.
You can’t have a “bee garden” without bees. So these bees showed up just in time for the heart of spring, and beyond, at the West Seattle Bee Garden in High Point. Thanks to Amy for this update (with video and photo):
Meet the new neighbors!
We’ve recently installed new honeybee hives at West Seattle Bee Garden. The bees are settling in to their new home, and the garden is starting to come alive for spring.
We are also gearing up for the annual Bee Fest, May 16th from 12-3 pm, where the community can come for some bee demos, local honey, enjoy some family friendly activities, and get some gardening advice.
For anyone interested in volunteering, please contact wsbeefest@gmail.com.
It’s been 13 years since the West Seattle Bee Garden was launched on the north side of High Point Commons Park (Graham/Lanham).
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