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Scouting report for Seattle Seahawks’ second-round pick TE Elijah Arroyo

Mike Macdonald’s club selected a pair of physical performers with its first two picks in the draft. Now the Seahawks have a new weapon for QB Sam Darnold
Sep 27, 2024; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Hurricanes tight end Elijah Arroyo (8) looks on after scoring a touchdown against the Virginia Tech Hokies during the first quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Sep 27, 2024; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Hurricanes tight end Elijah Arroyo (8) looks on after scoring a touchdown against the Virginia Tech Hokies during the first quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images | Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

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So far, so good for Mike Macdonald’s team. On Day 1 of the 2025 NFL draft, the Seattle Seahawks used the 18th pick to select promising offensive line prospect Grey Zabel from North Dakota State.

Earlier on Friday evening, Seahawks’ general manager John Schneider gave the Tennessee Titans the 52nd and 82nd overall picks and selected University of South Carolina safety Nick Emmanwori at No. 35. Now the team used its original second-round pick to add some receiving help for new starting quarterback Sam Darnold.

University of Miami tight end Elijah Arroyo was Schneider’s second pick in the second round. He joins a pass-catching corps that includes wide receivers Cooper Kupp and Marquez Vandes-Scantling, as well as fellow tight end Noah Fant.

Elijah Arroyo
Oct 5, 2024; Berkeley, California, USA; Miami Hurricanes tight end Elijah Arroyo (8) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the California Golden Bears during the fourth quarter at California Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images | Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

There are some questions surrounding the talented prospect, as pointed out by NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein. “Arroyo enters the evaluation process with questions to answer after a knee injury took chunks of two seasons from him. He displayed a willingness as both a point-of-attack and move blocker, but his technique and play strength will need upgrading. He’s an average athlete who struggles to beat man coverage but appeared to get faster and more fluid as the 2024 season wore on. He plays with awareness in space and secures throws with sure hands in traffic.

“Arroyo is a move tight end whose medical and athletic testing need to check out to give him a legitimate shot at being a productive pro.”

The 6’5’, 250-pound target played in just 23 games in his first three seasons with the ‘Canes, totaling a combined 11 grabs for 163 yards and one touchdown. That all changed in 2024 for Arroyo, who snared 35 passes for 590 yards (16.9 average) and seven touchdowns in 13 contests. An interesting addition for new Seahawks’ offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak.

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Russell Baxter
RUSSELL BAXTER

Russell S. Baxter has been writing and researching the game of football for more than 40 years, and on numerous platforms. That includes television, as he spent more than two decades at ESPN, and was part of shows that garnered five Emmy Awards. He also spent the 2015 NFL season with Thursday Night Football on CBS/NFLN.