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ESPN Drops All-Rookie Team: Seahawks Steal TWO Spots — Huge Boost For Seattle’s Super Bowl Push

Seattle, Washington – December 31, 2025

The Seattle Seahawks received a major boost heading into the NFC West showdown and playoffs as ESPN released its All-Rookie Team for 2025, naming two Seahawks as rising stars. Offensive lineman Grey Zabel and safety Nick Emmanwori earned spots on the prestigious list, highlighting Seattle’s successful 2025 draft and signaling a bright future for the franchise.

Zabel, selected 18th overall, has been a foundational piece on the offensive line since the first day of training camp. ESPN praised his consistency, noting his 89.2% win rate in pass protection and 83.1% in run blocking before a Week 11 knee injury. Analysts point out that his steadiness against some of the league’s best defenders demonstrates the impact of drafting a player who can immediately contribute at an elite level.

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“Zabel would be the overall No. 1 offensive lineman on this All-Rookie team if positions were removed from the equation. His play before the injury looked like that of a 10-year veteran,” ESPN noted.

Emmanwori, drafted 35th overall, has made his presence felt all over the field. With 1 interception, 11 passes defensed, 2.5 sacks, and a blocked field goal, he has proven to be a disruptive force in Seattle’s defense. ESPN compared him to a combination of Kam Chancellor and Kyle Hamilton, praising his ability to create chaos, close quickly, and make tackles with precision while excelling on blitzes.

The recognition of Zabel and Emmanwori underscores why the Seahawks have a 13-3 record heading into Week 18, with a chance to secure the NFC West title and the top seed in the conference playoffs. Their immediate impact and versatility provide depth, leadership, and playmaking ability that will be crucial in high-stakes postseason matchups.

For Seahawks fans, this All-Rookie Team announcement is more than a nod to individual talent; it validates GM John Schneider’s draft strategy and confirms that Seattle’s youth movement is paying off. As the team prepares for the playoffs, the contributions of Zabel and Emmanwori make clear that the Seahawks are not only competitive this season but also building a foundation for sustained success in the years to come.

Zelensky Accuses Russia of Supplying Suicide Drones to Iran
  Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has accused Russia of supplying Iran with Shahed-style suicide drones, which are reportedly being used by Tehran to target U.S. bases and neighboring countries in the Middle East. However, Zelensky has not provided concrete evidence to support these claims. In an interview released by CNN on March 14, Zelensky stated, "I have 100% accurate information that Iran is using this type of UAV to target U.S. bases and neighboring countries in the Middle East." The Shahed drones, originally produced by Russia after receiving a license from Iran, have been implicated in attacks on U.S. and allied military installations in the region. Zelensky further claimed that Russia is also providing intelligence support to Iran's attacks. "Russia's position is that if Washington and Europe are helping Kyiv with intelligence, Moscow can similarly support Tehran," Zelensky added. Despite these bold assertions, the Ukrainian president did not present any direct evidence to substantiate his claims. Neither Russia nor Iran has officially commented on these allegations. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirmed on March 14 that Iran is "militarily cooperating" with both Russia and China, though he did not provide further details. Earlier reports from The Washington Post cited sources indicating that Russia had provided Iran with intelligence on the location of U.S. military assets in the Middle East. This alleged support is believed to have helped Tehran successfully target a range of high-value targets in the region, including radar systems valued between $500 million to over a billion dollars. U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff stated on March 10 that Russia has denied sharing intelligence with Iran, affirming that Washington "can trust" Moscow's statements. Shahed drones, developed by Iran, come in various models and have been a key part of Iran's military capabilities. Iran reportedly supplied several Shahed-136 drones to Russia, granting Moscow a license to produce them under the name Geran-2. The Geran-2, which weighs about 200 kg and carries a 50 kg warhead, has a range of 2,500 km and is primarily used by Russian forces in long-range strikes against Ukraine. However, it can also be used for tactical strikes near the frontlines if needed. Images of a Geran-2 UAV in flight over Kyiv in December 2025 have highlighted its growing role in the conflict. In late February 2026, after the U.S. and Israel launched an attack on Iran, Tehran responded by targeting Israel's territory, U.S. bases in the Middle East, and vital energy infrastructure across the Gulf region with both missiles and suicide drones. According to CBS, the early phase of the conflict saw an Iranian drone strike on a U.S. military operations center in Kuwait, resulting in six soldiers' deaths. The specific type of drone used remains unclear. Additionally, a radar system in Qatar, worth approximately $1.1 billion, was damaged in an attack believed to have been carried out by an Iranian suicide drone. The growing use of these drones by Iran, particularly with alleged Russian support, has further escalated tensions in the Middle East, adding to the already volatile situation between the U.S., Iran, and their respective allies.