Seahawks Impressed with Elijah Arroyo's Versatility
Seattle Seahawks rookie tight end Elijah Arroyo was the No. 50 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft after securing 35 receptions for 590 yards and seven touchdowns in his final campaign at Miami. The 22-year-old led the Hurricanes in yards per reception (16.9) while catching passes from Cam Ward. So far at OTAs, Seahawks brass is impressed with his ability and versatility. "This guy can run an extensive route tree," head coach Mike Macdonald said. "To have to account for a tight end body on the field and him also to be able to split out wide, do X receiver type of things, bigger body than we probably have right now on our roster, just provides a ton of value." While tight ends often take time to develop in the NFL, Arroyo could operate as a downfield threat for Sam Darnold. Wideouts Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Cooper Kupp operate in the short to intermediate parts of the field, so there's room for Arroyo to make splash plays. Arroyo is unlikely to be a consistent fantasy producer in traditional formats, but he could be worth a late-round dart throw in best ball drafts.
Seattle Seahawks rookie tight end Elijah Arroyo (knee) said that the knee injury that slowed him down during the pre-draft process is behind him. Arroyo didn't run the 40-yard dash at the scouting combine in February or at his Pro Day due to his knee injury, but the Seahawks estimated that the 6-foot-5, 254-pounder would run a 4.52-second 40 based on his GPS speeds. Despite his knee issue, the Seahawks selected the 22-year-old former Miami product in the second round (50th overall) in last week's draft. Seattle still has Noah Fant, who caught 48 passes for 500 yards and a touchdown on 64 targets in 14 games in 2024, but Arroyo has a shot to carve out a significant role in his rookie season, especially as a red-zone target for quarterback Sam Darnold. Arroyo can probably be ignored in standard redraft leagues this fall but will be an intriguing dynasty/keeper prospect long-term.
The Seattle Seahawks have selected Miami tight end Elijah Arroyo with the 50th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. He spent four seasons with the Hurricanes but didn't register more than five catches until his senior year. As a senior, he broke out with 35 catches, 590 yards, and seven touchdowns. He has demonstrated a promising blend of speed, athleticism, and recognition when running his routes, and he has reliable hands when the quarterback throws a ball on the mark. He'll now be tasked with taking on a substantial role in the Seahawks' offense, which replaced Geno Smith with Sam Darnold during the offseason.
Elijah Arroyo
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Seahawks
