Seahawks linked with two big-name QB prospects despite signing Sam Darnold

Not long after reporters shared that the Seattle Seahawks could escape the three-year contract they gave Sam Darnold as soon as next offseason, some pointed out that Seattle could target a big-name quarterback during the 2025 NFL Draft that gets underway on Thursday night. 

For a piece published on Wednesday morning, Brady Henderson of ESPN mentioned that the Seahawks "used two of their 30 predraft visits on Louisville's Tyler Shough and Alabama's Jalen Milroe." This suggests either of those prospects could be options for Seattle after the draft's first round. 

Shough's draft stock has risen from what it was in January. Since the NFL Scouting Combine, he has been called "the best quarterback," "the most talented thrower" and "the most pro-ready" signal-caller in this year's class. That last part could be appealing to the Seahawks, considering how poorly Darnold played in his final two appearances with the Minnesota Vikings.

"Milroe could be a wildcat/gadget-play weapon for new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak, something he had in Taysom Hill last season with the New Orleans Saints," Henderson added about Seattle's possible interest in the Alabama star. "By far a more gifted runner than any other quarterback in this year's class, Milroe has all the mobility that Kubiak could ever want for an offense that will use plenty of bootlegs as a natural complement to outside-zone runs. Even if Milroe never develops as a passer, Kubiak could have a new version of Hill, whom the OC has called one of the best football players he's ever been around."

As of Wednesday afternoon, reports indicated that Miami's Cam Ward (Tennessee Titans at pick No. 1), Ole Miss' Jaxson Dart and Colorado's Shedeur Sanders are the only quarterbacks who could be drafted in the first round. NFL Draft analyst and league insider Todd McShay of The Ringer thinks Sanders will fall to the Cleveland Browns at overall pick No. 33. 

Depending on how many quarterbacks go off the board in the first round, Seattle may have to trade up for either Shough or Milroe. 

"They have five picks in the first 100 -- Nos. 18, 50, 52, 82 and 92. They also have a fourth, two fifths and two sevenths," Henderson said about the Seahawks' draft capital. 

In short, Seattle general manager John Schneider may not have to hope either Shough or Milroe drops to pick No. 50 if the executive wants to ensure the Seahawks get their desired quarterback during the draft's second round.