Seahawks Rookie Report, Week 15: Emmanwori Shines, Zabel Struggles, and Mills Shakes Off the Rust
With injuries piling up and key rookies sidelined, the Seattle Seahawks' rookie class took a step back in terms of sheer volume in Week 15 - just 137 total snaps across the group. That dip is easy to explain: tight end Elijah Arroyo and wide receiver Tory Horton are now on Injured Reserve, defensive lineman Rylie Mills is just returning from his own injury, and fullback Robbie Ouzts was a surprise inactive.
In the end, only four rookies saw the field - and just two logged more than 10 snaps. That narrows the focus to two names: Grey Zabel, who played every offensive snap, and Nick Emmanwori, who continues to be a standout on defense. Let’s break down what the All-22 film tells us about their performances - the good, the bad, and what it all means moving forward.
Grey Zabel - Offensive Guard (60 snaps)
This was, without question, Zabel’s toughest outing of the season in pass protection. He allowed four pressures - tying his Week 2 mark against Pittsburgh - and the tape shows a rookie still finding his footing against more polished pass rushers.
But context matters here. Left tackle Charles Cross also had one of his rougher games, and several of Zabel’s losses came when that side of the line failed to operate in sync.
In the run game, Zabel still showed flashes of the traits that made him a Day 1 draft pick. He was solid on first-level blocks, creating movement and taking efficient angles.
But when it came time to climb to the second level, things got messy. He was often late getting to linebackers or failed to square them up, a recurring issue for Seattle’s offensive line this season.
One snap in particular sums it up: Zabel and Cross attempt a double team, but never fully establish control. Zabel is slow to climb, and the linebacker is free to scrape and make the stop. Cross didn’t help, but Zabel’s timing made the result worse.
Pass protection was where the red flags really showed. Against J.T.
Tuimoloau, Zabel had repeated trouble with inside counters. On one play, Tuimoloau slashed inside, setting up a spin move.
Zabel never landed meaningful contact, forcing a rushed throw from Sam Darnold. Later, Tuimoloau bull-rushed him straight into the pocket.
Zabel tried to recover by leaning forward - a classic rookie mistake - and got hit with a clean push-pull move. Darnold escaped the sack, but the rep was a clear loss.
Still, it wasn’t all bad. There are signs of growth - and that’s what you want to see from a young lineman in December.
Zabel has started using more jump sets in recent weeks, and while not every rep was a win, the technique helped disrupt pass-rush timing. One rep stood out: Zabel used a jump set, struck first with independent hands, and finished with the defender on the turf.
That’s a textbook sequence that shows he’s learning and adjusting.
Another encouraging moment came when Zabel used his best trait - footwork - to stay square, maintain leverage, and shut down a swipe move with clean hand placement. Even in a down game, the foundation is there.
The technique is improving, and the confidence is growing. The challenge now is consistency.
Nick Emmanwori - Defensive Back (60 snaps)
If there’s a rookie on this roster who looks like a future star, it’s Nick Emmanwori. Week after week, the tape backs it up - and Week 15 was no different.
He finished with 7 tackles, 6 run stops, a sack, 2 passes defensed, and allowed just 2 catches for 3 yards on 4 targets. That’s not just production - that’s impact.
Let’s talk usage. Emmanwori lined up:
- 8 snaps on the defensive line
- 32 in the box
- 18 in the slot
- 2 at outside corner
That kind of positional versatility is rare for a rookie. What’s even rarer? The discipline and processing speed he’s showing at every level.
One play jumps off the screen: Emmanwori throttles down on a potential late hit, showing awareness that many young defenders lack. That’s a flag waiting to happen for most rookies - but not him. He’s playing fast, but he’s also playing smart.
That said, he’s not perfect. On one run fit, he attacked the same gap as DeMarcus Lawrence, leaving the edge exposed. The defense bailed him out, but it’s a reminder that even with elite instincts, eye discipline still needs work.
Still, the positives far outweigh the negatives. His closing speed is elite.
On one rep, he tracked Jonathan Taylor across the formation and made a clean tackle with no extra yards given. That play doesn’t happen without top-tier athleticism and anticipation.
As a blitzer, Emmanwori continues to be a weapon. He nearly got home on one pressure, forcing a rushed incompletion.
And his best rep of the night? A perfectly diagnosed screen.
He recognized the design early, slipped past a block from Quenton Nelson, and blew up the play before it had a chance. That’s veteran-level stuff - from a rookie.
Other Rookie Notes
Rylie Mills - Defensive Lineman (7 snaps)
Mills returned to the field after a long layoff, and it showed.
He looked tentative diagnosing run schemes and got moved off the ball too easily on trap and double-team concepts. But the first-step quickness?
Still there. The upside is clear - he just needs reps.
After missing significant time, this season still feels like a redshirt year in terms of development.
Nick Kallerup - Tight End (10 snaps)
Kallerup was used strictly as a blocking tight end.
He played 8 of his 10 snaps on run plays, and with Eric Saubert seeing 22 snaps, it’s clear Kallerup is still in a TE3 developmental role. No targets, no real receiving involvement - just a guy doing the dirty work.
Elijah Arroyo, Tory Horton - Injured Reserve
Both rookies are now on IR, limiting their chances to contribute down the stretch.
Robbie Ouzts - Inactive
Ouzts didn’t suit up, but considering how poorly Brady Russell played at fullback, Ouzts might’ve helped his stock just by staying on the sideline.
Jalen Milroe - Inactive
No action for the rookie quarterback this week.
Bryce Cabeldue, Mason Richman - No Snaps
Neither lineman saw the field, even in garbage time.
Final Takeaways
Right now, Nick Emmanwori is the clear headliner of Seattle’s rookie class. His versatility, processing, and physical tools are already playing at a high level. He’s not just contributing - he’s making splash plays that shift momentum.
Grey Zabel had a rough game, especially in pass protection, but the growth is real. The jump sets, the hand usage, the footwork - it’s all trending in the right direction. If he can clean up his second-level timing and continue refining his technique, there’s a long-term starter here.
As for Rylie Mills, the tools are intriguing, but he’s still in the early stages of development. Don’t expect major contributions this season - but keep an eye on him in 2026.
With multiple rookies on the shelf, the Seahawks’ first-year impact is now centered on two names: Emmanwori and Zabel. One’s already making waves.
The other is learning on the fly. Both are shaping up to be key pieces of Seattle’s future.