The Seattle Seahawks have bolstered their defensive line by selecting Notre Dame defensive end Rylie Mills with the 142nd overall pick in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. The team traded a quarterback prospect, Sam Howell, to Minnesota in exchange for this pick.
Mills brings versatility to the defensive line, having played both inside and outside lines at Notre Dame. He led his team to the National Championship game last season but suffered a torn ACL late in the year. However, he believes he’s ahead of schedule in his recovery and hopes to be back for training camp.
At 6-foot-5 and 296 pounds, Mills is well-suited for a 3-4 defensive end role. He excels at anchoring firm and tackling gaps, but lacks explosive movements as a rusher. Mills relies on heavy hands to carve open edges and get into the pocket, making him a better picker than twister.
The Seahawks’ coaching staff will be closely monitoring Mills’ recovery from his knee injury, which occurred during the College Football Playoff. If healthy, Mills could become a three-down rotational piece for the team, providing depth at defensive end.
Source: https://www.seahawks.com/news/rylie-mills-2025-nfl-draft-defensive-tackle-notre-dame