All Seahawks

PFF names Seahawks' most underrated player ahead of 2025 NFL season

Veteran safety Julian Love labeled Seattle's most underrated player by Pro Football Focus
Oct 20, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Seattle Seahawks safety Julian Love (20) celebrates after a victory over the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
Oct 20, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Seattle Seahawks safety Julian Love (20) celebrates after a victory over the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images | Brett Davis-Imagn Images

In this story:


The Seattle Seahawks defense is loaded with talent at all three levels, and it has only gotten better since the 2025 NFL draft. Despite using nine of their 11 picks on offensive players, the Seahawks still landed talented South Carolina safety Nick Emmanwori in the second round.

Emmanwori has a bright future and should have a role this season, but some around the league seem to be forgetting about veteran safety Julian Love.

The former fourth-round pick signed with Seattle as a free agent in 2023 and posted a career-high four interceptions. After inking a three-year extension with the Seahawks last offseason, Love added three more interceptions in 2024.

While he doesn't get much recognition around the league, Pro Football Focus gave Love a little love in a new feature. The 26-year-old was named the Seahawks' most underrated player by PFF's Jonathon Macri.

"Love came through with a career year in 2024 as a seemingly perfect fit in Mike MacDonald’s defense, which led to a more complete showing," wrote Macri. "Love finished sixth at the position in PFF overall grade (81.2) and was one of only two safeties (Kyle Hamilton) to rank in the top 10 in PFF run-defense grade (89.5) and PFF coverage grade (76.1) this past season."

Love
Dec 1, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets running back Isaiah Davis (32) gains yards after catch as Seattle Seahawks safety Julian Love (20) pursues during the second half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images | Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

The Seahawks have a talented secondary, and it could be even better this season now that they've signed veteran edge rusher DeMarcus Lawrence. Creating more pressure up front will only make things easier on the back end.

Since entering the league in 2019, Love has recorded 356 solo tackles, 12 interceptions, six forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries.

The veteran safety is under contract for three more seasons, which is good news for Seattle's defense going forward.

More Seahawks on SI stories

Seattle Seahawks earn disappointing grade for aggressive 2025 offseason

Kenneth Walker III lands in disrespectful place in post-draft RB rankings

Mike Macdonald says Seahawks need to find more reps for first-rounder

Massive free agent signing named Seahawks’ most head-scratching move


Published
Matt Urben
MATT URBEN

Matt Urben is a sportswriter for multiple outlets, including MLive.com and USA TODAY Sports Media Group. He has covered numerous NFL teams, including the Atlanta Falcons, Detroit Lions and Kansas City Chiefs. Matt grew up in Michigan, where he currently resides with his fiancé and dog. He is a graduate of MPI Film School and the University of Michigan.