2026 NFL Mock Draft: Seattle Seahawks select safety

Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo

The Legion of Growth Comes Again to Seattle

The Seattle Seahawks enter the 2026 NFL Draft coming off a Tremendous Bowl victory, their second in franchise historical past. Their earlier final victory, which likely do bear in mind, was a blowout win over the Denver Broncos in 2014, or Tremendous Bowl XLVIII, 43-8. Whereas the most recent win will settle the hearts and minds of Seattle followers for some time, a minimum of till September, there are different issues occurring inside the NFL offseason that require a staff’s consideration.

Beneath regular circumstances, groups enter the NFL Draft with a watch targeted on the fast future. Thirty-one groups, actually, come into the draft with the intention of creating a Tremendous Bowl run, themselves. That one fortunate staff coming off a win in February doesn’t have the luxurious of resting, essentially, however they do have the luxurious of a few of that strain to win coming into a rest interval. The burdens levied upon their backs to achieve the apex of the game are lifted. For now.

That mentioned, the 2026 Seahawks come into the draft in a maybe considerably uncommon place. They’re returning the overwhelming majority of their championship squad for the following season. As we are going to see, a variety of personnel is because of come off their books in 2027, which positions this draft for Seattle as a relatively necessary one trying into the short-term future. There are solely so many alternatives to replenish the stockpile. Whereas Seattle wasn’t required to do this throughout probably the most fast free company interval, the way forward for their staff, with its empty pages of payroll, beckons.

Probably the most notable concern for Seattle is perhaps a easy lack of draft picks, in whole. They’ve solely 4 picks, one every in rounds one, two, three, after which six. These picks are numbered 32, 64, 96, and 188, respectively. So few alternatives will, on its face, hamper Seattle’s potential to plan round their roster wants coming into the not-too-distant future. One would possibly count on, then, that Seattle should discover options. These options could imply buying and selling single picks for multiples, or possibly even buying and selling among the expiring payroll for picks in return.

Stating the plain, I’m not Seattle’s Basic Supervisor, so fortunately, it isn’t my job. What’s my job, a minimum of on this specific occasion, is discovering somebody for Seattle to take at #32 that matches their wants, or higher but, is one of the best participant left within the 2026 NFL Draft. For those who’re not excited about studying extra about Seattle as a staff (or are already acquainted), you possibly can skip right down to the “prospect pool” or “choose” sections and skim extra concerning the particular participant(s) concerned. If you wish to grasp in at some point of this thesis, to higher assess the Seahawks’ wants, let’s see how Seattle carried out in the course of the 2025 season.

Seattle’s offense in 2025 was, by most each measure, a High-10 offense. They weren’t essentially the flashiest or most prolific offense within the league, however they had been simply above common and balanced sufficient to deal with most conditions. Seattle completed eighth in whole yards on the finish of the marketing campaign. They had been eighth in passing yards and Tenth in dashing yards. They scored on 45.9% of their offensive drives, which was Sixth-best within the NFL. By comparability, since I do know many is perhaps curious, the Eagles had been twenty sixth at 35%.

The Seahawks additionally managed the Third-most factors within the league, behind solely Los Angeles (Rams) and New England, their Tremendous Bowl opponent (with their Charmin-soft schedule). Seattle typically did this with exceptional effectivity, as they had been a mediocre twenty first in whole offensive performs however led the league in points-per-play. What actually made their offense pop, although, was complementary soccer from the protection, as Seattle led the NFL in level differential at +191 by way of the common season. Mixed with wins within the playoffs, Seattle had a league-best +12.3 common scoring margin, virtually +4 higher than the following closest staff (the Rams and the Patriots). The Seahawks additionally led the league in whole DVOA at 41.2%, with the offense rating Tenth (8.5%) and the protection rating 1st (-24.2%).

It wasn’t all “rainbows and sunshine” with the offense, nonetheless. There are locations the place Seattle can legitimately enhance. One of many large sticking factors was the turnover division, because the Seahawks’ twenty-eight (28) offensive turnovers was 2nd within the NFL. That included main the league in fumbles misplaced with 13 (13). The principle offender was, sadly, Sam Darnold. Whereas his total redemption story is charming, he was past sloppy with the ball in 2025. He threw fourteen (14) interceptions and had eleven (11) fumbles, six (6) of which he misplaced.

Seattle additionally struggled in a pair different key areas: Third-down conversions and within the pink zone. They had been a relatively pedestrian sixteenth on third downs at 39.6%, and their pink zone TD scoring was ok for twenty second within the NFL. The offense was fairly environment friendly by way of the air with an EPA per cross of 0.11 (rating eighth), however they had been markedly much less environment friendly on the bottom, as their 4.1 yards-per-carry was tied for twenty fourth (by comparability, they had been second in internet yards-per-attempt and first in yards-per-completion). Seattle’s marginal effectivity, total, settled in at fifteenth when it comes to Complete EPA and EPA per play (0.02). It was largely pulled down by mentioned inefficient dashing assault that was ranked Twenty ninth in EPA per rush (-0.07), considerably of a shock given their personnel.

What probably helped Seattle within the passing sport was the cross blocking up entrance. Darnold was sacked a mere twenty-seven (27) occasions in the course of the season, the 4th-best charge within the league. Examine that to final 12 months when Darnold was sacked forty-eight (48) occasions, and Minnesota’s offensive line has solely gotten worse with sixty (60) sacks allowed this 12 months, second-worst within the NFL. That’s a sack charge enchancment for Darnold from 11% to five%, and other than the Tremendous Bowl win along with his new staff, all of the extra purpose to be glad he signed elsewhere. The low sack charge coincided with a low scramble share of two.68% (Sixth lowest). Not too surprising.

By way of manufacturing on the offensive facet, Seattle is getting again the overwhelming majority of their offensive statistical leaders. The aforementioned Darnold is coming again for a minimum of yet another season, on the books for one more two. Backup Drew Lock barely performed, and the rookie (Milroe) didn’t should swimsuit up as soon as. At working again, Seattle did lose their dashing chief in Kenneth Walker, opting to let him do as his final identify suggests – straight to Kansas Metropolis. He break up duties with Charbonnet, who has a a lot totally different working fashion and injured his ACL within the playoffs. That leaves Seattle with virtually zero returning rush manufacturing to start out the season, absent some type of superior therapeutic timeline for Charbonnet.

On the receiving facet, everybody who caught a ball will return to the Seahawks, excepting Dareke Younger, whose two receptions and three targets in 2025 will probably not be troublesome to exchange. He left for the playing Raiders. The main receiver, Smith-Njigba, was signed to a wholesome extension. Previous man Kupp can be set to return with one other two years on his contract. Particular groups ace Rashid Shaheed was likewise prolonged, and quite a lot of depth guys had been re-signed. The tight finish place will look a lot the identical, as nicely. Apart from Saubert, who’s 32, the typical age of Seattle’s tight ends is 24, so they need to be in honest form for some time. Fourth-round choose from 2024, A.J. Barner, led the group in receptions and yards, which meant the rookie Arroyo didn’t have lots to do.

With just about all of the manufacturing coming again for one more run, that leaves a gaping gap at working again, as compared. Seattle did signal Emanuel Wilson away from Inexperienced Bay, and he’s the presumed starter in the meanwhile, however that’s not his typical position. He was a backup to Josh Jacobs in Inexperienced Bay the previous two seasons. He was a depth undrafted free agent his rookie 12 months. He has had greater than twenty carries and one-hundred yards in just one sport, Week 12 of 2025 in opposition to Minnesota, when he nabbed 28 carries for 107 yards. That manufacturing was based mostly on sport circulate and a lacking Josh Jacobs. It’s unlikely Seattle expects him to be the first runner all season, which might require some degree of projection.

All which means is Seattle will probably draft a minimum of one rookie working again, and/or usher in an undrafted free agent or two to assist issues. That mentioned, the Seahawks could already be a case of amount over high quality, so I’m unsure how a lot assist they may get this route absent utilizing a premium-rated choose on a again. There are some questionable names out there nonetheless as free brokers, however we’ll get to these concepts later. With the remainder of the offense largely set, we’ll transfer on to analyzing how the protection carried out in 2025.

Seattle’s protection is a significant purpose why they had been the Tremendous Bowl champs. The offense carried out nicely in most areas, sure, however it was the protection that held issues collectively when the offense wasn’t working at full capability. Just like the offense, Seattle’s protection was additionally a High-10 ranked unit underneath most measurements. They completed Sixth in whole yards allowed and takeaways. The eighteen (18) interceptions had been good for Fifth-best within the NFL. The protection was Tenth in passing yards allowed and Third in dashing yards. As beforehand talked about, they had been #1 in DVOA and tied for second in “Havoc” score (41.8%) with Denver, behind solely the Texans.

Permitting solely 9 (9) dashing touchdowns all season was second-best within the league, behind solely the eight allowed by the Rams of Los Angeles. The three.7 yards-per-rush was primary, whereas the 5.1 net-yards-per-pass was second behind Denver. These numbers in opposition to a backdrop of opponents passing the Fifth-most in opposition to the Seattle protection, almost certainly as a result of they had been, most of the time, behind on the scoreboard. They’d the 4th-fewest dashing makes an attempt in opposition to, which appears to verify that suspicion.

After all, Seattle’s protection being their core energy shouldn’t be stunning. They employed Mike Macdonald in 2024, and he has fairly the defensive background, coming from esteemed applications comparable to Georgia, Michigan, and the Baltimore Ravens. That philosophical pedigree clearly interprets into probably the greatest defenses within the league. Solely 28.7% of Seattle’s opponent’s offensive drives led to a rating, which once more was second-best within the NFL. Naturally, the 292 factors they allowed in 2025 was a league-leading statistic.

The Seahawks additionally led the NFL in opponent third-down conversion share at a mere 32.71%, which unsurprisingly translated to level shortage for opponents over the course of the season. They had been good for seventh on the fourth-down charge, which whereas isn’t as spectacular, it’s additionally a a lot smaller pattern dimension, so it’s not fairly as related.

Combing by way of the remainder of the info and it’s troublesome to seek out an space the place Seattle’s protection actually struggled. As beforehand talked about, they had been High-10 in virtually each conceivable statistic. Seventh in completion share allowed. Ninth in whole sacks. Sixth in strain share. The checklist goes on and on when it comes to accolades. There’s actually no discovering of a weak point right here.

They’d the Seventh-lowest blitz charge, not stunning given Macdonald’s tendencies, and blitzing much less whereas sustaining a excessive strain charge is totally perfect, so this – once more – isn’t a weak point. They had been second in total hurries, as well. Ending tied for seventh in sacks with forty-seven (47) is perhaps thought-about a slight loss given their different defensive dynamics, particularly when contemplating what number of cross makes an attempt they confronted, however we’re actually stretching to seek out someplace to enhance.

To be honest, Seattle did enable the second-most yards after catch on completions, a stat a minimum of partially pushed by pure quantity. Nonetheless, that’s legitimately one subject to resolve. Clearly, that alone didn’t damage them a lot, if in any respect, however it’s an fascinating outlying statistic given the energy of the protection in all areas. In distinction to that stat, Seattle didn’t actually enable practically as many air yards, ending a middling 14th (however once more adjusting for quantity). They had been fifth in opponent goal depth, which merely confirms groups had been throwing brief after which working up greater numbers after the catch. That might very nicely be a circumstance of enjoying deep zones with a lead and nothing extra grievous. Extra context by no means hurts.

Seattle was additionally, negatively, Tenth in missed tackles. Going in opposition to the Tenth-most performs, you would possibly say that’s a consequence of upper defensive quantity. By comparability, nonetheless, the Eagles confronted the Sixth-most performs but had been tied for 14th in missed tackles. Seattle’s 9.68 ratio of plays-against-to-missed-tackles was really Eleventh-worst, or expressed one other approach, that they had a missed deal with on 10.3% of their opponents’ offensive performs. Plotted in opposition to all the league, just one staff within the backside ten of that stat had a profitable file – Pittsburgh at 10-7 – which places Seattle subsequent to some unscrupulous firm.

For those who’re curious, Cincinnati was by far the worst staff in missed tackles at 16.2% (or a ratio of 6.16). Washington was the one different staff above 12%. On the opposite finish, Detroit, New England, the Giants, Kansas Metropolis, and the Rams all had been beneath the 8% threshold (ratios over 13). The Eagles had been within the center at seventeenth. The stat clearly correlates to profitable and dropping, however there stay some distinct exceptions, comparable to Seattle after which the Giants on the opposite finish.

Suffice to say, we have now managed to discover a couple actual areas that Seattle can enhance, regardless of their total defensive prowess. They should clear up the missed tackles and do a bit extra to restrict yards after the catch – two stats which might be, maybe unsurprisingly, intently related. It’s probably no accident Cincinnati leads the league in YAC allowed and Detroit has the bottom YAC allowed, the worst and finest in variety of missed tackles, respectively.

In manufacturing phrases, like on offense, Seattle does return most of their statistical producers. Nonetheless, that they had two large losses within the secondary, which creates an apparent space of want. They misplaced two of their 47 mixed sacks in Boye Mafe, and whereas he could have been a pleasant rotational piece, that’s not the largest void to fill on paper. On the opposite finish, Coby Bryant’s 4 interceptions flew to Chicago, and Woolen’s lone interception is now in Philadelphia. Woolen did, extra notably, present twelve (12) swats, a.ok.a. passes defended, so his lack of true picks is barely deceptive when it comes to his worth. That was tied for the staff excessive with starter Josh Jobe.

When you think about the gamers which have left as a share of whole defensive tackles, Seattle misplaced 11.8% of their whole tackles on protection. That’s not an insignificant portion, however it’s additionally possible for Seattle to seek out that quantity of manufacturing by way of the draft or by way of inside promotions and improvement. All-in-all, Seattle is poised to return probably the greatest defenses within the league at practically the identical energy it was final 12 months.

Free Company and Draft Wants

With the present state of the staff nicely lined, we glance to what Seattle has executed in free company to deal with any excellent wants heading into the draft. We are able to begin with the offense, once more, and reality be informed, there hasn’t been a variety of motion or necessities. Let’s have a look at the state of the roster because it stands now:

As we’ve already partially mentioned, the Seahawks didn’t lose a variety of gamers to free company on offense. The largest loss was beginning working again Kenneth Walker. He signed with Kansas Metropolis after coming into free company, which wasn’t a lot of a shock contemplating his expertise. It didn’t make a variety of sense for Seattle to commit large cash to both accomplice in a split-field dashing tandem. The one different mover was vast receiver Dareke Younger going to Las Vegas. He had minimal manufacturing with Seattle, in order that’s not an enormous loss to beat.

The largest identify they signed on offense was Emanuel Wilson to exchange the departing Walker. He’s not figuring to be the man in Seattle and is way nearer in fashion to Zach Charbonnet. Nonetheless, Charbonnet will miss a minimum of a part of the 2026 season, in all chance, due to that ACL tear within the playoffs. Within the meantime, Seattle has a variety of names on the RB place, however not a variety of high quality, and also you’ll additionally discover – at current – all of them come off the books on the finish of subsequent season, Wilson included. It’s potential a number of of these gamers wows in 2026, but when not, Seattle will get a clear slate to re-work the place.

What does that imply for the draft at working again? Seattle figures to focus on one or two guys, I might presume, however given the depth they have already got, it’s honest to marvel what including extra unproven expertise will actually do for them. I feel it makes extra sense to focus on a premium expertise on the place, and this draft isn’t loaded with these sorts of gamers, so it would require a premium choose. Kenny McIntosh does return from harm for this upcoming season, a draft choose from 2023 who has a lot to show. There do stay some fascinating names in free company nonetheless, together with Joe Mixon and Najee Harris.

Mixon, in fact, missed all of 2025 with a foot harm, and the Texans launched him outright. He ran for over 1,000 yards in 2024, so it’s potential there’s nonetheless some respectable manufacturing left in him, however who is aware of if he is similar participant after that harm and missed time. Austin Ekeler and Antonio Gibson are two different guys that missed 2025 with accidents and are nonetheless out there. Harris may not be one of the best match for Seattle who might be now in search of a contrasting fashion to Wilson and Charbonnet, somebody extra fast, agile, and top-end speedy. I’m unsure how any of the others would possibly slot in, both, however they’re there if Seattle desires an affordable veteran.

Seattle is fairly nicely set at quarterback. Darnold and Milroe are locked into for 2 and three extra years, respectively. I’m uncertain in the event that they think about Milroe the long run, however this isn’t one of the best draft for locating a franchise quarterback, both. Elsewhere on offense, Seattle is nicely established, too. The tight finish core is younger and creating. Alongside the offensive line, Seattle performed fairly nicely in 2025. They completed Fifth within the league in cross blocking metrics, however a extra modest seventeenth in run blocking, which is the place they’ll search clear upgrades. The used simply three combos final season, which meant they had been pretty wholesome, as nicely.

The largest want is inside. Zabel at left guard was a premium choice within the first spherical simply final draft. Cross at left deal with was one other first-round choose for Seattle, and so they prolonged his contract this offseason for one more 4 years. Nonetheless, there stay query marks at heart and proper guard. Jalen Sundell was a UDFA signing and performed to a reasonably common degree final season (nineteenth of 40 certified facilities in line with PFF), higher at cross blocking than within the run sport. Proper guard Anthony Bradford, nonetheless, performed poorly on his amassed 98% of offensive snaps. He completed 76th of 81 certified guards in cross blocking (PFF), and 57th in run blocking. Bradford allowed 28 whole pressures, and his 5% strain charge was twenty second amongst beginning proper guards. That mentioned, he improved considerably in the course of the latter half from his atrocious begin to the 12 months, so it’s potential he can proceed an upward escalation.

By comparability, each of the Eagles’ guards sat above 6% strain charge on the season, Landon Dickerson at thirtieth (6.84%) and Tyler Steen at Twenty ninth (6.11%), which makes Seattle’s inside tandem sound wonderful, comparatively talking. Zabel managed Eleventh as a rookie and may solely enhance, however Seattle does have some work to do alongside the road, both by creating their expertise in-house, or discovering different options within the draft. As you possibly can see within the above graphic, will probably be a closing analysis for Sundell as Bradford as they’re each set to be free brokers subsequent 12 months. Possibly the rookie Bryce Cabeldue makes a push to start out, as a substitute.

Lastly are the receivers. Seattle prolonged their head honcho Jaxon Smith-Njigba for an additional 4 years, however past him, there’s depth over pure high quality. Kupp is not the premier receiver he as soon as was, and Shaheed has at all times been extra of a particular groups’ producer than a relied-upon receiving menace. He had each a punt return and kick return landing final season, however his receiving manufacturing was restricted to fifteen (15) catches and a tepid 188 yards on twenty-six (26) whole targets. Horton was a rookie out of Colorado State that had some upward trajectory earlier than lacking half the 12 months with harm. It’s potential he emerges as a #3 and even #2 menace in 2026.

Seattle has executed nicely to restrict an apparent want at these positions heading into the draft, however evaluating what they’ve as a #2 receiver is a little more troublesome. Most everyone seems to be signed for a minimum of one other two years, in order that they don’t have a ton of flexibility, although it’s potential Seattle seems for one more younger vast receiver to take over Kupp’s position sooner or later.

As for the protection, there likewise wasn’t a lot turnover relative to final 12 months, and Seattle hasn’t made a variety of signings that transfer the needle. See beneath:

As you possibly can inform from the graphic, some huge cash comes free after this upcoming season (very similar to the offense). Solely two 2025 starters moved on to different pastures (one actually greener in Philadelphia), Woolen at nook and Bryant at security. Seattle did signal a trio of safeties and one nook in free company to assist replenish some depth. Nonetheless, none of those signings had been main starters or contributors to their former groups’ defenses.

Bell and Thomas performed extra on particular groups, 66% and 61% of their respective groups’ snaps. Bell performed solely 11% of the mixed defensive snaps for Carolina and Seattle, whereas Thomas performed 13% for Indy. Noah Igbinoghene was a bit extra concerned defensively for Washington, enjoying 37% of snaps, however that was down from 76% the 12 months earlier than. It’s potential Seattle tasks certainly one of these guys to spot-fill or possibly even begin, however I feel it’s extra probably these are “simply in case” signings as Seattle seems to seek out higher expertise within the draft. Definitely, none of these additions are as succesful because the gamers that left.

Moreover, Seattle makes use of a wholesome rotation of defensive backs, and prizes positional versatility, so search for them to focus on gamers with that type of profile within the upcoming draft. The highest-six guys on this rotation all performed a minimum of 78% of the defensive snaps, with Bryant enjoying probably the most at 95%. Meaning they misplaced a substantial chunk of their secondary snaps and manufacturing. Even Ty Okada signed in for 66% of the defensive performs. Dropping Woolen means they’ve misplaced a very good little bit of size on the skin, too, as backup Josh Jobe is listed at 5’11” to Tariq’s 6’4” body, and fellow starter Devon Witherspoon is six ft even. Which may imply the longer corners within the draft are increased precedence for the Seahawks.

The one different personnel loss was backup exterior backer and rotational cross rusher Boye Mafe going to Cincinnati. Seattle has not but made an apparent signing to fill this position. Starter Uchenna Nwosu comes off the payroll in 2027, and he’s already a lean thirty years younger, so it’s fairly clear Seattle has a necessity so as to add to their rotational cross rush and linebacker depth. That could be a potential goal within the draft; there are a handful of gamers that would fill such a task on the finish of the primary spherical or into the second.

Elsewhere, given the upcoming want so as to add or re-sign gamers alongside the road, just about all of the defensive position spots require consideration. Lawrence has two extra contractual years however is now thirty-four (34) years outdated. Williams and Reed alongside the inside are each 30+, whereas Seattle has a pair youthful nostril tackles. Seattle’s protection did share the load when it got here to strain with three gamers getting seven (7) sacks, then including Lawrence with one other six (6). The sting gamers didn’t present as a lot manufacturing exterior of Lawrence and Nwosu, nonetheless. Corridor performed 46% of snaps and added simply two (2) sacks after having eight (8) the 12 months earlier than. Mafe had one other two (2) on 50% of the snaps. Ivey performed in all of two (2) video games. None of this but considers the harm historical past of those gamers and the potential of Lawrence retiring.

Even when Seattle decides it might probably afford to increase Williams one other 12 months or two, I feel they should look inside to seek out some youthful expertise moreover Byron Murphy. They probably want to seek out extra rotational cross rush energy, as nicely, as Lawrence is ageing up, and the present edge expertise exterior Nwosu isn’t all that productive. Going again to that missed deal with statistic, Derick Corridor had a missed deal with charge of practically 19%, up from 5% the earlier 12 months when he additionally performed extra snaps. That might imply a number of issues, however no matter context, a possibility is introduced in the course of the draft for Seattle to seek out upgrades right here.

Ernest Jones and Drake Thomas look entrenched because the long-term starters at linebacker, and so they had been the staff’s two main tacklers in 2025. Drake Thomas had a missed deal with charge of 12%, which isn’t perfect, however he was a very good discover for an undrafted free agent and may proceed to enhance with extra run.

With all that in thoughts, on each side of the ball, Seattle maybe has probably the most urgent want within the defensive backfield. They signed some depth, however nobody with a historical past of heavy defensive utilization exterior Igbinoghene in 2024. It was an space the place they misplaced two clear starters, whereas on offense, just one starter matriculated elsewhere, interval. Eyeing the long run, the defensive position and cross rush is the following place to start out. Manufacturing and age are the largest query marks for that group.

On offense, the wants are in all probability much less pressing and fewer sure. I feel they’ll enhance on the within of the offensive line, and with no apparent starter at heart or proper guard signed past this 2026 season, they’ll want to seek out solutions quickly. The subsequent place of highest urgency is working again, the place Walker’s departure will depart the largest gap, and Seattle has a bunch of our bodies however little in the way in which of certified, premier expertise. This isn’t the perfect draft for locating that form of aptitude; nonetheless, Seattle could search out probably the greatest within the group. Once more, nobody within the room is signed past this season, however it’s additionally arguably probably the most fungible of positions.

There are lesser wants at vast receiver and (ultimately) quarterback. The long-term outlook at QB for Seattle is considerably murky, however very similar to the working again place, this isn’t actually one of the best draft to seek out pure expertise. Nonetheless, they may probably discover one other QB to groom and compete with Milroe for the long-term spot. That mentioned, Darnold continues to be solely 29, and will discover himself within the beginning position for some time if he performs nicely sufficient. I feel Seattle additionally wants a second receiver as Kupp ages out of that position.

I might categorize Seattle’s wants going into the draft as follows: defensive again (each nook and security), defensive finish slash rotational edge rusher, SAM linebacker, inside offensive line, inside defensive position, working again, vast receiver. (CB, S, DE, SAM, G, C, DT, RB, WR)

The subsequent essential evaluation for Seattle is what sort of draft technique they’ll make use of. It’s necessary to notice they’ve solely 4 (4) picks within the upcoming draft, one in every of the primary three rounds after which a choose within the sixth spherical (188 total). Ignoring future picks in the meanwhile, then, Seattle doesn’t have a variety of wiggle room to maneuver. That primarily refers to a transfer upward within the draft, which prices what it prices, and from the outset, I’d say which means it’s extra probably Seattle strikes down, if in any respect. Nonetheless, as we consider future picks, Seattle does look to have twelve (12) in 2027, and given their payroll state of affairs, they’ll want most of them.

The final choose of the primary spherical is a typical buying and selling publish, although, as groups look to maneuver up and snatch a participant earlier than day two begins. The thirty second choose has been moved three of the final 4 years, and with Seattle having solely 4 picks this 12 months, I might actually see them shifting down and getting some extra tickets to the present. For this train, that’s not an possibility, and I’ll have to pick out one of the best out there expertise, regardless, however it’s one thing to contemplate for the actual factor.

Seattle might select to face pat, in fact. Possibly they transfer down from their second and/or third choose, as a substitute. There may be fairly the premium on good cross dashing expertise. Transferring down could restrict their choices at that spot or take them out of the working for a man they prize. The identical often goes for good cornerbacks, and with wants at these two positions, it could higher swimsuit the Seahawks to remain put and take one of the best of both spot.

As any basic supervisor, you’re left to steadiness three main tenets of drafting: (1) drafting one of the best total expertise; (2) drafting one of the best schematic match; and (3) drafting the very best staff want. How a lot weight the coach has in your personnel division may also issue into that equation, as they could desire taking ready-made gamers to suit their particular person scheme(s).

Seattle’s in a novel place coming off a Tremendous Bowl win the place the strain for immediacy is decreased, and so they can take their time to develop the suitable gamers. On condition that circumstance, Seattle largely has the liberty of option to do as they please. They may take one of the best pure expertise or hedge a bit and give attention to a necessity/scheme mixture match. After all, the balancing act of those three tenets is basically a subjective train, as opinions will differ on what side is a very powerful, particularly when contemplating the encircling context. Generally, you simply can’t ignore the wants you’ve.

I feel in real-time, Seattle has a excessive probability of shifting right down to accumulate extra draft alternatives and fairly low odds of shifting up given their payroll state of affairs and lack of picks in 2026. I’ll say a 55% probability of shifting down, a 40% probability of creating their thirty second choose, and a 5% probability of shifting up within the first to nab somebody they extremely covet.

If Seattle decides to make their choose, as I’ve to do right here, that leads me into the one remaining piece of study: what sort of schemes does Seattle run on each side of the ball, and the way will that affect the participant they choose, if in any respect?

Seattle has employed a wide range of offensive and defensive schemes en path to the Tremendous Bowl victory. On offense, a minimum of in 2025, Seattle used a model of the West Coast offense underneath Klint Kubiak to nice impact. Seattle was nicely balanced between the cross and the run (51.3% cross to 48.7% run), opting to snap largely from underneath heart (52.6%), the second-highest charge within the league. Quite a lot of what they did was predicated on play motion effectivity, regardless that it wasn’t essentially known as with regularity (14.1%, rating twenty second within the league). Kubiak discovered underneath his father, in fact, and hung out in San Francisco along with his alternative in Seattle, Brian Fleury, as Kubiak has opted to take the top teaching job in Las Vegas.

As a result of Seattle can have a brand new, first-time offensive coordinator in 2026, we don’t but know the exactitudes of the offensive format. Fleury has promised to proceed a variety of what Kubiak already established, and so they do come from the identical basic teaching tree with heavy affect from Mike after which Kyle Shanahan. What that features is a good quantity of outside-zone run with quarterback rollouts and pocket motion. With Seattle’s lack of effectivity within the run sport regardless of an emphasis on it, that is one key space they’d in all probability like to enhance, however I feel we’d be remiss to not contextualize that run sport, usually used to close-out video games when Seattle has the lead and the protection expects the run.

One space we’d speculate, given Fleury’s historical past as a decent ends coach with San Francisco, is an emphasis on using that place to its fullest. The 49ers, in fact, had their very own All-Professional tight finish in George Kittle, who broke out again in 2018 whereas Fleury was nonetheless with the Dolphins. Seattle has a bevy of tight ends to make use of within the numerous aspects of a Shanahan offense, identified for his or her prolific tight ends going again to the times of Shannon Sharpe. Seattle’s group all present one thing a bit totally different, so the personnel are already in place. Look out for a wide range of 12 and even 13 personnel deployments. In 2025, Seattle was an 11-personnel based mostly offense, as with a lot of the remainder of the league. That was a shade above 60% of the time. They rounded that utilization out with a very good quantity of 12 and 13 personnel, as you would possibly count on, and never an excessive amount of else of word.

Seattle can be one of many few remaining groups to roster and use precise fullbacks. Sure, a few of you would possibly bear in mind these, the stout guys sitting within the backfield in entrance of the runner ready to dam, or in much less frequent situations, carry and even catch the ball. As we all know, Kyle Juszczyk has been a staple of the Niners offense since Kyle Shanahan got here on as head coach. Seattle’s Russell largely performed on particular groups, however the rookie Ouzts was concerned in 27% of offensive snaps, and in the event that they discover a comparable athlete to Juszczyk, we might see actual manufacturing from the place sooner or later.

On protection, Seattle is led by their head coach, a defensive mastermind, himself. They do have an impartial defensive coordinator in Aden Durde, however it’s probably a lot of the defensive commandeering is completed by Mike Macdonald. As we’ve already lined, Seattle’s protection was probably the greatest within the NFL final season, if not one of the best by composite. As for what makes Seattle’s protection nice is a mixture of components, largely led by a shell protection that desires to generate strain by way of a entrance 4. It’s a reasonably acquainted sample throughout the NFL, these days, with an emphasis on the defensive position and limiting large performs through disguised zone, inflicting basic confusion.

First, what’s occurring up entrance, Seattle depends on manipulating the safety schemes, and what occurs there enlightens the remainder of the protection. How do they do this? Utilizing loaded fronts with mugs and/or alternate alignments, in addition to the employment of stunts or video games. As I discussed, Seattle doesn’t blitz a lot (24.8%, twenty fifth in NFL), so one of many methods they generate strain is by maneuvering the opposing offensive line. They’re Third within the league in stunt utilization (24.5%). A pair ideas they use on stunts (or in any other case) embody “choose” pressures and “tag” pressures, each of which contain drawing linebackers into gaps and utilizing them to facilitate the defensive position’s involvement. A few of these pressures embody late-read nook and security blitzes, in addition to defensive linemen dropping again into protection.

The largest subject Seattle had with pressures was open receivers. They led the league in Open Proportion at 47.2%, which suggests a receiver was open about half of the time when it got here to Seattle’s true known as pressures. Nonetheless, the flipside of that was efficient quarterback corralling, with successful charge of twenty-two.8% (tied for third) and a strain charge of fifty.3% (tied for first). Seattle’s eleven (11) sacks from blitzes led the league.

Second, on the bottom, Seattle largely depends on excessive shells comparable to Cowl-2 and Cowl-3. As is the pattern, the Seahawks are a base Nickel protection now, to the tune of the second-highest charge within the league (77.3% final season). Their different main alignment was Dime protection 14% of the time, which meant Seattle was solely in a extra conventional “base” protection 6% of the time (excluding a pair % for different alignments). Seattle used Cowl-2 at 31% (Third) deployment, Cowl-3 at 24.8% (twenty second), and Cowl-1 at 17.4% (twenty fifth). In any other case, they used little quarters or Cowl-4 (twenty seventh in charge), however the next relative charge of Cowl-6 (eighth).

Seattle did barely favor extra MOFO (middle-of-the-field open) coverages, opting to make use of zone protection at a 71.7% charge, however provided that their utilization charges of each zone and man sat in the direction of the center of the league (thirteenth and twentieth, respectively), they didn’t lean as closely in both course in comparison with different groups that had been a bit extra specialised. Plenty of credit score goes to the personnel having the ability to play, competently, each kinds of protection. Seattle’s EPA, nonetheless, in MOFO coverages wasn’t as spectacular as one would count on, hovering across the center of the league’s defenses (thirteenth). Their MOFC coverages had been way more environment friendly, with a 2nd-best EPA over a Twenty ninth-ranked utilization charge. Maybe a case of a smaller pattern dimension resulting in skewed outcomes, however Seattle’s protection was, at occasions, fairly increase or bust.

Trying extra particularly, Seattle’s EPA was finest in Cowl-3 (4th) and Cowl-2 Man (Third), the latter being a variation on the extra commonly run Cowl-2 Zone consisting of beneath zone as a substitute of the corners enjoying in man/press. Seattle was ninth in 2-man utilization. The largest space the place the Seahawks can enhance on defensive effectivity is of their most-used Cowl-2 the place they surprisingly rank twentieth in EPA. Minnesota is certainly one of two groups to run Cowl-2 extra usually than the Seahawks, and so they led the league in EPA on this class, so it’s not at all times the case of larger samples correlating with much less effectiveness.

Now that we perceive what Seattle desires to do each offensively and defensively, it’s time to have a look at the prospects and see the potential targets on the finish of Spherical One.

Previously, I typically led off with the choose after which briefly touched on some various prospects that would match. This time I wished to strive one thing totally different and have a look at the potential targets coming in at #32, a minimum of the way in which this particular draft fell. Clearly, in actual life, the draft outcomes are going to be wildly totally different.

To rapidly sum all of it up, Seattle has must steadiness largely alongside the defensive and offensive traces, within the secondary, and at working again (high precedence). There are another spots they’ll look so as to add, as nicely, like SAM or vast receiver. We now know on protection they largely run a zone cowl scheme with some man combined in, and it’s a comparatively even mix of MOFO and MOFC coverages. On offense, they’re largely reliant on 11-personnel with some heavier tight-end packages thrown in (12 and 13), leaning solidly on a zone working scheme with play motion and pocket motion.

This specific draft wasn’t as type of the Seahawks because it might have been, however that’s considerably anticipated while you’re drafting final within the first spherical. All of the blue-chip and surefire first-round abilities are gone. You’re left sorting by way of the larger clusters of 1.5 and 2-tier prospects, absent any gamers falling for harm or character issues. That is the place drafting the “finest participant out there” turns into trickier as a result of you’ve stacks of men which might be more durable to delineate from finest to worst.

So we come again to the equation from earlier, balancing an obligation to seize the “BPA,” an obligation to fill roster necessities, and an obligation to tie gamers to schemes.

I’m giving myself away right here, however Caleb Banks was my preliminary choose on this spot earlier than it was confirmed that McNeil-Warren remained out there. Maybe I’m responsible of overthinking in managing this choose, as I reckon there’s a case to be made from Banks having the very best upside of the remaining pool. Banks is a bear-sized defensive deal with out of the Gainesville swamps. He provides a extremely intriguing size-to-speed ingredient, bringing the NFL’s rising want for cross rush out of the center of the defensive position relatively than from a large finish. He’s type of a mix between Dexter Lawrence and Chris Jones when it comes to his dimension and athletic profile, and the ceiling for him may be very probably the latter of these two Professional Bowl gamers. Jones, in fact, equally fell in his draft due to issues over effort and endurance.

And therein lies the rub with Banks. He has tape inconsistencies, himself, however maybe the larger concern is over his harm historical past. He’s injured the identical foot on three separate events. Banks missed the Gasparilla Bowl in 2024 and a pair early video games of 2025 as a consequence of an offseason foot surgical procedure. He got here again briefly within the early a part of the 2025 season solely to finish up requiring surgical procedure once more. He returned as soon as extra close to the top of the 2025 season and was wholesome up till the mix, when he re-injured the identical foot and had one other surgical procedure on it. At this level, you must marvel if his case was managed correctly or if there was ever an issue with the primary or second surgical procedures. If not, then you definitely get into the proposition that his anatomy is a matter. Possibly he’s nonetheless rising, and his physique will ultimately adapt to his dimension. Possibly he has a completely broken foot now. These are the issues that NFL groups should weigh when deciding whether or not to draft Banks, transfer him down the board, or pull him off the board, altogether.

What makes this situation fascinating for Seattle is that, as I discussed earlier than, they’re within the distinctive drafting place of getting simply received the Tremendous Bowl and return the overwhelming majority of that staff. They don’t want a direct fixer, even with what quantities to their most dear choose of the draft. Seattle can sluggish play their rookies and allow them to develop over the following 12 months (or two) relying on their place. That’s what makes Banks an intriguing alternative for the Seahawks.

If the ‘Hawks imagine Banks has probably the most potential upside of the remaining draft pool at 32, then I feel they might choose him, until the medical recommendation they’ve runs opposite to the assumption that he’ll ultimately heal. Due to Seattle’s place, they’ll draft Banks and let him redshirt his rookie season, utilizing that point to easily get wholesome and do all of the issues his foot must heal. Get him correct diet and bodily rehabilitation. There’s no must rush him. It additionally will get forward of their defensive deal with wants a 12 months early, with a participant that provides a high-value talent (inside cross rush) and all-pro upside.

Banks jogs my memory a little bit of Jordan Davis solely with an inverted skillset. Davis was a run stuffer and hole specialist with restricted cross rush, whereas Banks supplies extra worth in cross dashing and desires to enhance his run protection. Like Davis, Banks may have time to essentially acclimate to the NFL, rounding his physique into form for the pains of the NFL schedule. In addition to his foot well being, Banks does want to enhance his stamina, too, as he noticeably tires as video games progress.

I do sense, then, that Seattle has a possibility if Banks falls to 32 or past. There’s a probability sufficient groups have eliminated him from their boards that Banks might fall even additional, say into the late 2nd or Third rounds, possibly additional. This is likely one of the causes I made a decision to not draft Banks on this spot: a (maybe misguided) perception that the Seahawks should have the ability to get him later within the draft whereas nabbing one of many much less dangerous prospects up entrance. One’s tendency in the direction of risk-aversion will probably coloration the way you view Banks as a first-round choose. Whereas Seattle can probably afford to play a riskier sport on this draft, the balancing act turns into troublesome if different gamers you want, with much less pink flags, are nonetheless out there.

Banks fills a variety of these buckets for Seattle. He can probably clear up their long-term defensive deal with points. He can present the up-front cross rush that Seattle wants for his or her defensive success. For those who imagine in his upside and expertise, it’s possible you’ll suppose he’s one of the best participant out there, too. Nevertheless it’s a threat, maybe a threat you’re extra comfy taking exterior of the primary spherical, particularly if one of many different gamers you get has comparable potential. Possibly somebody like Peter Woods from Clemson might hit among the similar bins as Banks with out the long-term harm dangers, however Woods isn’t fairly the identical athlete or dimension as Banks, and his cross rush potential is a much bigger projection, which maybe limits his total potential in comparison with Banks. Nonetheless, he’s one other consideration for Seattle at choose thirty-two.

One other fascinating layer to this draft is the relatively congested group of corners taking over house across the borderline first-to-second tier of gamers. This group consists of Avieon Terrell, Colton Hood, Brandon Cisse, and Chris Johnson. They’re clearly a half or full tier beneath the highest two nook prospects of Jermod McCoy and Mansoor Delane, who had been taken at 20 and 13 on this draft, respectively.

If Seattle most well-liked to focus on a defensive again that supplied increased man-cover potential, or relatively the extra conventional cornerback skillset, that is one other approach they may go within the first spherical. I think about this cluster throughout the identical degree of intrigue, however which participant you like is extra about parsing flavors relatively than attempting to decipher who is healthier. It’s an identical conundrum to the sting or defensive finish class on this draft, which I’ll talk about later.

For Seattle, an enormous purpose I didn’t select one of many aforementioned corners is an absence of, in my humble opinion, perfect match. With Tariq Woolen departing within the offseason, I’m of the expectation that Seattle will look to exchange him with a equally framed and tooled participant. Actually, the quartet right here are usually not perfect substitutes if that’s the underlying assumption. There may be combined opinion on whether or not Terrell is a nickel solely, and in case you suppose he’s, then I don’t imagine he’s an excellent goal for the Seahawks. His draft inventory is probably going bolstered a bit by the bloodlines, too, however his dimension is hard to reconcile even in case you suppose he can play exterior, which Seattle has lined between Witherspoon and Jobe.

It’s true that Jobe is across the similar dimension as Terrell, however Jobe is locked into the boundary nook beginning position due to his distinctive arm size and wingspan, which makes him play a lot greater than his top suggests. Jobe’s arm size is within the 87th percentile, measuring 32 58 inches, which is a half-inch longer than even McNeil-Warren (who’s 4 inches taller). Starter Nick Emmanwori performed a very good bit within the slot final season, and thus Seattle isn’t pressured into in search of a pure nickel nook in the mean time, until they imagine Terrell is one of the best participant left. Terrell additionally feels a bit redundant when it comes to dimension and athletics to a different Seattle nook, Devon Witherspoon. Possibly having two of him isn’t the worst concept, actually, but when Seattle wished to diversify their nook profiles, Terrell isn’t an excellent alternative.

Colton Hood is one other taste of nook, maybe probably the most adept press-man nook of the lot. Seattle, nonetheless, doesn’t play a lot man protection, and even much less press, so drafting Hood would require a bit extra projection into Seattle’s scheme than taking one of many different corners right here. In the event that they felt they wanted extra of this skillset of their defensive backfield, nonetheless, then it could make a variety of sense for Seattle to focus on Hood right here. Maybe grabbing a press nook provides them the potential so as to add additional range into the defensive scheme.

If not, that leaves Cisse and Johnson. If I used to be going to challenge a nook into Seattle’s match, and the nook I thought-about probably the most right here, Chris Johnson is maybe the goal. He already has expertise enjoying in a 4-2-5 protection at San Diego State, and the Seahawks are principally utilizing that formation (both nickel or the triple-safety model) as their base protection. Johnson is extra at dwelling in a zone-coverage scheme. He’s a bit longer than the opposite three corners on this group, so he can in all probability provide extra versatility in enjoying the sector or boundary. He’s greater than enough athletically. If I needed to choose one nook on this group, I feel Johnson is it.

In the end, although, I shied away from taking a nook due to the dearth of a clear alternative for Woolen, and I simply didn’t imagine certainly one of these 4 was one of the best participant out there, a minimum of not outright. I really suppose Seattle may need higher luck discovering that alternative later within the draft, too. I believed Julian Neal (Arkansas) or Daylen Everette (Georgia) had been extra of a fit-for-fit, and so I didn’t really feel pressured into selecting a nook proper now. There’s additionally a sure pleasure think about taking McNeil-Warren over Johnson. Whereas each are competent gamers and even when thought-about even when it comes to expertise, McNeil-Warren provides one thing additional that feels a bit intangible.

Defensive Ends and Go Rush Specialists

As everyone knows, cross rushers have change into an enormous part of NFL defenses. Their worth within the draft has reached a important mass of kinds. Like with the quartet of corners I discussed, what you need out of your defensive finish is a bit like selecting your most well-liked taste of ice cream. Some individuals like vanilla, some like chocolate, however deciding what one of the best taste is – objectively – is much more troublesome, if not not possible. This draft supplies choices for even probably the most discerning palate.

When Seattle comes on the clock at thirty-two, the true tier-one cross rushers will all be lengthy gone. Akheem Mesidor “fell” to 31 on this draft, however lots of people imagine he’ll go a lot increased, even along with his potential pink flags. He’s in all probability a goal for the Seahawks, regardless, however his choice made my determination tree have one much less department. By way of which gamers remained, I feel the clear goal for me was Malachi Lawrence. Seattle misplaced Boye Mafe in free company, however what he supplied in cross rush was extra alongside the traces of a twitchy, quick, finesse archetype. That matches Lawrence’s profile. He’s really an fascinating comp to Josh Sweat, which can imply he’s somebody the Eagles goal, however his athleticism is attractive, even in case you suppose his tape doesn’t present sufficient, or his degree of competitors negates a few of his manufacturing.

One other identify that’s strongly linked to Seattle is R Mason Thomas, who’s nearly the one different cross rush specialist I might have thought-about on this spot. Thomas has some extra detractions, nonetheless, that I feel make him a greater goal for the second or third spherical relatively than taking him over the arguably higher, maybe higher-tier potential gamers. It’s additionally potential Seattle might think about a linebacker-blend participant like Anthony Hill Jr. and use them in a cross rush position with capability for extra variability in protection. It’s not the obvious match or most urgent want, so that you’d actually should really feel strongly about them being one of the best expertise ready. Seattle’s MIKE and WILL linebacker roles are already fairly established, and with them enjoying restricted base (4-3 or 3-4) as it’s, you’re drafting a would-be position participant within the first spherical, and that’s not essentially nice worth or technique. I ought to point out, apparently sufficient, that changing Hill to a defensive finish creates a captivating athletic and dimension profile comparability to Haason Reddick. Whether or not he can emulate that prototype is one other query fully.

Cashius Howell and Zion Younger are two extra cross rush choices that might be out there close to the top of the primary, however on this draft they had been off the board at 29 and 25, so for me they weren’t viable issues.

Then There’s the Offense

It’s not a lot of an accident I targeted extra on protection than offense up to now. With Macdonald on the helm, a defensive coach himself, odds fairly favor Seattle selecting a defensive participant off the beginning blocks. There are a pair different causes for that, as nicely, with the protection being a bit deeper on the entrance finish of this draft, and Seattle merely has extra wants on that facet of the ball given their losses in free company. With all else being equal, then, the Seahawks appear poised to favor grabbing a defensive participant to replenish their depth and fear concerning the offense later. That mentioned, there’s at all times the chance the board falls a sure approach, and there are just a few locations the place Seattle can land on offense.

Probably the most urgent wants listed below are actually working again and guard. There’s a really clear primary working again on this draft and that’s Jeremiyah Love, who I’m certain Seattle will covet however has restricted chance of touchdown at place thirty-two. After him, his working mate Jadarian Worth is about the one again I might think about on this spot, however I imagine deciding on him right here is extra about reaching for a necessity than selecting one of the best participant out there. There may be additionally the matter of positional precedence, and with the working again place being as fungible as it’s, you should think about gamers graded or valued alongside the identical tier at positions of upper precedence.

It isn’t to say Worth is a nasty participant, however Seattle has a variety of amount of their backfield. If they’re going to add one other participant to that group, they have to be sure it’s a participant of actual high quality relatively than simply one other man to throw into the combo. Worth might be that man, however I’m not fully bought, and never when there are equally rated gamers out there at extra necessary positions.

That leaves us with the inside offensive line, which is one other clear space of want for Seattle. Honestly, there aren’t any facilities to contemplate at thirty-two. You’ll be able to at all times ponder the thought of changing a guard, however that’s not an excellent situation. Past that, there are a handful of guards I might have thought-about right here for the Seahawks. Most of them had been off the board. Emmanuel Pregnon is likely one of the first names that involves thoughts, taken at twenty-eight. He’s well-rated in zone blocking and one of many extra athletic guards within the class, which makes him a reasonably perfect match for Seattle.

Alongside these traces I might additionally think about Keylan Rutledge and Gennings Dunker. Each gamers grade out robust in zone working schemes and have intriguing athletic profiles. Nonetheless, I’m unsure both is one of the best potential participant on this state of affairs, so once more you get into the circumstance of reaching for want. Dunker performed deal with at Iowa, as nicely, so he’s extra of a projection to the within of the road, which isn’t at all times an ideal match. The opposite identify that may come up right here, largely due to his spectacular athleticism, is Chase Bisontis. Whereas he’s an thrilling prospect given his athletic profile, he carried out relatively poorly in zone at Texas A&M, which makes his match seemingly a lot much less sure. The query turns into whether or not he can enhance in such a scheme, and though his athletic profile suggests he can, it’s removed from a assure. For that purpose he’s not as clear of a slot in Seattle, however might be a possible developmental prospect.

The excellent news for Seattle is anybody that will take at this spot can chill out for a 12 months and be taught, barring accidents, however the long-term future is a query. I personally suppose, seeing how a lot he improved over the course of the 2025 season after a relatively disastrous begin, Seattle desires Anthony Bradford to get one other 12 months to show himself because the beginning guard of the long run. Definitely, there’s one other wrinkle or two to ruminate over in any other case.

Now we lastly get to the choose, and with Seattle on the clock, they choose Toledo security Emmanul McNeil-Warren with the ultimate collection of the primary spherical. He’s a mixture of schematic match, staff want, in addition to probably one of the best participant left within the draft. In figuring out how I got here to this determination, we are able to study every of these layers, individually.

The Greatest Participant Out there

The primary and most urgent query in making this alternative is figuring out whether or not McNeil-Warren is one of the best remaining participant out there. I’ll attempt to reply that query as objectively as I can, however as everyone knows, expertise analysis is a extremely subjective train. One of the vital environment friendly strategies is a consensus draft board that charges gamers based mostly on an averaging of place throughout many such tables. The consensus large board locations McNeil-Warren at #23 total, making him the highest-ranked participant remaining after Mesidor (21) was taken at thirty first total. The very best ranked gamers nonetheless out there behind McNeil-Warren are vast receivers Kevin Concepcion (24) and Denzel Boston (27), and Clemson defensive deal with Peter Woods (29), which rounds out availability inside the highest thirty.

Clearly, most draftniks and NFL groups received’t have the ability to parse gamers in a easy top-to-bottom format, and as a substitute put gamers into tiers for rating functions, so this consensus large board has considerably restricted worth. One other potential instrument is trying out mock drafts across the draft sphere. I checked out fifty (50) mock drafts from every kind of sources, and right here is the results of these mocks for Seattle:

Based mostly on the above desk, you possibly can see which gamers and positions had been favored in these mocks. My choose was taken in solely two mocks of those fifty, however that’s virtually fully as a result of he was already off the board by the point Seattle was making their choose, in order that significantly influences how usually he might be chosen. We are able to see nook was the favourite place, taken 19 occasions (38%), with Avieon Terrell main the way in which. That makes some sense as a BPA (at nook) choice, a minimum of when it comes to consensus. The subsequent favored place was at Edge, taken 15 occasions (30%), which once more makes loads of sense. Howell was not out there on this draft train for BGN, and solely R Mason Thomas was, however I didn’t suppose he was your finest out there at thirty-two.

Working again rounds out the favored positional targets with six alternatives (12%), virtually fully Jadarian Worth, excusing that one off-the-wall collection of Jadyn Ott. Once more, I put much less worth on the working again place, so for me – even in case you suppose Worth is on a expertise degree with another guys – I don’t suppose that’s one of the best transfer within the first spherical. It was stunning there weren’t extra offensive guards or defensive tackles taken, however I feel the query of worth with the previous lingers, whereas the query of fast want with the latter means most drafters look elsewhere. Staff want emerges as maybe probably the most related consideration for lots of those mock drafters.

With McNeil-Warren not showing as a lot in mocks, you would possibly query match or want, however the actuality of him being off the board in all these mocks lends extra validity to the concept he was one of the best participant out there on this BGN draft. I would agree, really, that isn’t probably the most urgent want for Seattle, however with the departure of Coby Bryant, Seattle misplaced 95% of their defensive snaps on the again finish. Even when Ty Okada rotates into that snap rely, that leaves one other 66% of snaps unaccounted for, and it stays to be seen if Okada is an every-down kind of security. Not one of the gamers Seattle signed within the offseason at security point out an apparent long-term answer, both, as largely particular groups’ predicators or follow squad novices on one-year offers. Want stays an necessary consideration.

If we wished to have a look at different sources for finest participant out there assessment1, we might think about particular person expertise evaluators, as nicely. Daniel Jeremiah, for instance, has McNeil-Warren as quantity sixteen (16) inside his High 50 gamers, whereas he has certainly one of my different potential targets in Caleb Banks at quantity forty-two (42). McNeil-Warren was additionally among the many finest remaining graded gamers in line with Lance Zierlein with a rating of 6.39, a tie with 4 different prospects together with Hill (LB), Terrell (CB), McDonald (DT), and Cooper (WR). PFF and ESPN have him because the #21 participant on their boards, CBS at #22, and The Athletic at #23. That isn’t to say he’s this excessive on each particular person evaluators’ board, in fact, and there examples of him ranked decrease (McShay at 32, Edholm at 33), however this evaluation is actually extra a few consensus of who is mostly thought-about one of the best than particular person opinions that adjust. We are able to’t assess these opinions till a lot later in a participant’s profession.

1As an apart, I do wish to acknowledge that group-think in the case of expertise analysis is a chance in a unfavorable sense, however there are restricted methods through which to objectively consider a participant’s expertise, and I feel utilizing a mess of sources is one such approach, even when the chance exists among the underlying evaluation is corrupted by different variables.

With all that out of the way in which, I feel there’s a good case to be made that McNeil-Warren was one of the best participant out there, and I do suppose he fills each a staff want and a schematic one for Seattle, so let’s dig into the participant, himself.

Emmanuel McNeil-Warren has a wide range of strengths. He was a very good match for Toledo’s 4-2-5 protection that depends lots on quarters and MOFO alignments, each of which translate nicely into Seattle’s frequent two-deep zone seems, base 4-2-5/nickel protection, and better dime deployment. Seattle did battle a bit with effectiveness and effectivity in Cowl-2 regardless of their utilization charge, and I feel drafting McNeil-Warren provides the upside of dramatic enchancment in that space, even when among the scouting of him requires a projection to a deeper-set security alignment. The explanations for which might be three-fold: his size, athleticism, and instincts.

McNeil-Warren boasts a 6’3”+ body with a large wingspan and instinctive ball-seeking profile. He’s not an athletic unicorn with an RAS of 9.01, to be clear, however he’s nicely above common and has an identical athletic define as Jessie Bates, a security for the Atlanta Falcons that does nicely in his personal proper. Transferring McNeil-Warren to robust security really will increase his athletic relativity, which is why I feel projecting him there isn’t purely speculative. instance of his vary is mirrored on this interception in opposition to Central Michigan:

What McNeil-Warren does finest, a minimum of up to now in his profession, is play downhill into the field. He’s a prolific “peanut puncher” with 9 profession pressured fumbles, to associate with 5 interceptions. He’s extremely efficient in opposition to the run, an space the place Seattle doesn’t want as a lot enchancment, however he actually received’t damage the staff in that regard. What makes McNeil-Warren stick out a bit extra is his “hit-stick” like skills, as he’s usually showcasing a bent to heat-seek ballcarriers or passing targets and lay the wooden. He’s a bit paying homage to C.J. Gardner-Johnson, on this regard. Due to Emmanuel’s skills within the field, Seattle might use him as an additional linebacker or rover or mug him up alongside the road as they so usually do with their linebackers and corners on the sting. He received’t be misplaced there. I feel he demonstrates versatility which Seattle virtually requires, and so they can rotate him off the sector in man situations in the event that they discover him an excessive amount of of a legal responsibility.

I feel this mixture of dimension and enjoying fashion makes McNeil-Warren an particularly intriguing match for Seattle given their “Legion of Growth” historical past. I alluded to this within the title, however primarily Schneider will get again to his roots underneath Pete Carroll with this choose, and Seattle followers are certain to like the thought of a big, dominating defensive backfield, even when the current Tremendous Bowl win means they don’t really want to relive any glory days of outdated. Take into account the tradition or legacy right here as a bonus level in Emmanuel’s favor concerning his slot in Seattle.

Emmanuel McNeil-Warren shouldn’t be an ideal prospect, and definitely you received’t discover such a factor on the high of any draft board, a lot much less this late within the first spherical of a weaker graded draft. A lot of the consternation with Emmanuel comes from the evaluation of his protection traits and talents. Going again to his athletic profile, as an example, he doesn’t have actually high-end velocity working a 4.52 40-yard sprint, and his tape doesn’t belie his athletic testing on this regard. The remainder of his testing profile is sweet however it’s not essentially nice, and it’s actually not distinctive, so you should regulate expectations a bit. Examine his RAS to Nick Emmanwori, as an example.

I don’t say that to reduce what McNeil-Warren can do, however you will need to perceive he’s not the identical athletic unicorn that Emmanwori is, and thus you in all probability can’t count on the very same issues from him. There are components that may fairly be improved, although. Similar as along with his weight, which is one other concern for evaluators. He does have an extended, skinny body, and so there’s a query of precisely how a lot mass he can add whereas additionally sustaining his basic vary. As a robust security, for instance, his weight can be thought-about beneath common. He’ll want added energy to keep up his tackling skills on the subsequent degree.

Talking of which, the extent of competitors is one other concern for Emmanuel. Taking part in within the MAC isn’t precisely probably the most rigorous collegiate check. There aren’t a variety of examples of Toledo defenders making noise within the NFL. The counter to that, nonetheless, is the current success of Quinyon Mitchell. His success bolsters the expectations for gamers popping out of that very same secondary, and McNeil-Warren spent all 4 years at Toledo, beginning for 3 of them. He was invited to the Senior Bowl, however he sadly missed out due to a lingering harm.

Regardless of his prowess across the field, McNeil-Warren could must do extra to wash up his tackling approach, particularly for a Seattle staff that already has a slight downside with missed tackles. The departing Coby Bryant was not a terrific tackler, in fact (18.7% missed deal with charge in 2025), so when contemplating his alternative, you possibly can’t essentially do worse. The shoulder lunges and ankle swipes from Emmanuel are lower than perfect and are probably what induced him to overlook time his junior season with a shoulder harm. The ten missed tackles as a senior had been increased than the earlier two years, nonetheless, so it’s potential his mechanics can regulate as he builds energy, and he might want to get stronger.

As one other little bit of paradox, McNeil-Warren exhibits fast hips and a looseness in roaming the sector, however his man protection acumen stays a thriller. Among the many safeties on this class, for instance, he acquired a grade of 59.0 in man protection, second-to-last among the many group of safeties on this class.

Granted, he performed lots much less man protection than most at simply 25%, and whereas his abilities on this space are extra uncooked than polished, he seems like he has the motion abilities to unlock the next degree of play. That is the place Seattle could also be an excellent touchdown spot to show him up, very similar to had Nick Emmanwori enjoying within the slot – the place he carried out fairly admirably. That mentioned, there might be some debate about whether or not McNeil-Warren is redundant to Emmanwori, or relatively in the event that they’re an excessive amount of the identical type of participant to co-exist.

As we are able to see, McNeil-Warren at Toledo had a variety of the identical defensive obligations as Emmanwori did at South Carolina. Each performed closely within the field (>50%) in run assist. Each spent a few quarter of their deployment at free security in run protection, after which nearer to 40% in cross protection. Nick did have much more slot expertise in faculty, partially as a consequence of his absurd athleticism, and that’s the place I feel the overlap typically ends. Seattle doesn’t want Emmanuel to occupy the slot, although, as a result of they have already got a participant that may do this in Nick, and Seattle would like the previous to occupy open house additional again, permitting his downhill instincts and vary to cowl extra of the sector. Consider a basketball staff prioritizing protection with size and also you get the final concept of what he can do for Seattle.

Additional Feedback and Considerations

If he had been to fall within the draft, I feel the athleticism flags are the largest downside, with scouts, coaches, or personnel departments involved over energy and velocity and a capability so as to add weight given his body. Your concern about enjoying him deep is getting overrun by quicker gamers, and your concern about enjoying him low is getting blocked out or run-through by greater, denser backs. He’s additionally not a typical NFL prototype, and groups at all times desire these sorts of gamers that match neatly someplace, however it’s a copycat league, and groups could worth the thought of copying what the Seahawks did with Emmanwori and attempting McNeil-Warren in comparable suits. Say, possibly, Chicago that misplaced a facsimile in Jaquan Brisker.

This isn’t a knock on Emannuel, particularly, however a secondary purpose that he could not attraction to Seattle is the thought of taking one other security this excessive within the draft back-to-back. Particularly after final 12 months when Seattle traded as much as choose Nick Emmanwori at thirty fifth total. There’s a fairly good probability, if the board fell this fashion, I’d be buying and selling again and out of the primary spherical. The Seahawks’ historical past of buying and selling again within the first spherical is restricted, however it occurred on just a few events:

It’s not a assure you win on these trades, both, however it’s an alternative choice. The

Seahawks have additionally favored going to the trenches on their first picks in drafts underneath Schneider. Over sixteen drafts, a lineman has been chosen first in ten (10) of them (63%), though a few these picks had been within the second spherical relatively than the primary. Nonetheless, there’s a transparent lean in the direction of the trenches for Seattle within the early phases of a draft. That will sway Seattle had been Emmanuel nonetheless on the board together with another line gamers they worth equally.

Sadly, I as soon as once more didn’t get time to chop my very own highlights, however I wished to have a look at numerous tape as an instance McNeil-Warren’s strengths and weaknesses. For those who merely need some fast highlights, pick any of the movies beneath:

These movies present loads of examples of McNeil-Warren’s potential to assist the run, with tackles in and alongside the road of scrimmage. His potential to vary within the defensive backfield, cowl floor, and make performs on the ball. His potential to take the ball away from offensive gamers, interval. He exhibits good willingness to combine it up and have interaction, refusing to draw back from contact, in addition to the flexibility to make large hits and jar the ball free from would-be receivers. You additionally see his potential to read-and-react to a quarterback’s eyes as he seems for a receiver downfield. His size means it’s a bit simpler to get better from misreads and over-pursuits, as nicely.

We do see some good cover-man reps in there, as nicely, even out of the slot, however he’s going to pair higher going in opposition to tight ends and backs versus twitched-up or full-speed receivers, particularly if he’s not affording any type of cushion in protection. The primary rep on this video is sweet context for his vary:

He initially follows an inside publish with a backpedal, however he reads the QB’s eyes and bails in the direction of the skin nook the place the ball is thrown and makes the interception. You’ll be able to see an easy flip and transition, the way in which his hips open up as he alters course. Within the second clip, he will get beneath and anticipates a block to make a play on the working again.

Right here’s a longer-format video, with commentary, of his total sport movie in opposition to Kentucky, which is product I don’t have entry to as a no one:

The video does have evaluation hooked up, and most of that I might agree with. The massive critiques are McNeil-Warren’s lengthy velocity and idle motion that’s much less constructive. I wouldn’t say I really like his tackling on a regular basis, however he does present willingness which is a primary necessary step. Reality is, a variety of defensive guys lack correct tackling approach within the trendy sport, so that you type of want to regulate expectations.

Right here’s an fascinating breakdown from a Philly-centric supply:

Barrett Brooks thinks he’s a third-round choose, so right here’s an instance of an outlier opinion on Emmanuel McNeil-Warren. I do suppose he’s extra of a 1.5-to-2-tier participant versus a standard blue-chip or pure 1-tier participant, however that’s typically what you discover on the again finish of the primary spherical, anyway.

Whether or not you agree with Brooks on that particular level or not, and it’s actually potential McNeil-Warren falls due to among the weaknesses I mentioned, it’s not vastly necessary. The place I do agree is I’m unsure if he’s the suitable match for Philadelphia, and I feel Seattle is a a lot better spot for him to land. He can play comfortably in a zone-heavy scheme, roaming the sector, or sitting again and protecting for deep threats after which working downhill when he must make a play or assist. It additionally would give him the liberty to make performs on the ball across the discipline relatively than one-to-one, and I feel that’s an excellent position.

Implications for the Eagles

As I proceed to do for these writeups, I want to study what Seattle’s draft could imply for our hometown Eagles. That is typically based mostly on any prior commerce historical past between the 2 groups and current basic managers, how they could overlap when it comes to positional want and scheme suits, and some other implications that Seattle’s draft could have on how the Eagles can strategy their very own.

Initially, we’d have a look at prior commerce historical past. John Schneider has been with the Seahawks virtually so long as Howie Roseman has been with the Eagles. Schneider has held the GM position since 2010. He’s been a part of three Tremendous Bowl victories now, his first when he was a scout with the Packers again in Tremendous Bowl XXXI, after which twice with the Seahawks. His commerce historical past with the Eagles is way shorter than it’s possible you’ll suppose. The primary commerce occurred not lengthy after he was employed in March of 2010, when the Eagles traded Chris Clemons and a 4th-round choose for Darryl Tapp. Later that very same 12 months, the Seahawks traded a Seventh-round choose to the Eagles for Stacy Andrews.

The subsequent notable commerce occurred in the course of the 2012 NFL Draft, when the Eagles traded up into the twelfth spot for Fletcher Cox. Seattle moved down three spots to pick out Bruce Irvin and added 4th and Sixth-round picks within the course of. One other pick-related commerce wouldn’t occur for one more 5 years, when the Seahawks traded a Fifth-round choose for Matt Tobin and a seventh-round choose. The next March, the Eagles would commerce Marcus Johnson and a Fifth-round choose for Michael Bennett and a seventh. And that’s it when it comes to draft-related trades between the 2 groups – simply 4 whole trades.

Subsequent, we are able to have a look at each groups’ positional wants. The Eagles have had a very good little bit of attrition this offseason, a continuation from the prior season after profitable the Tremendous Bowl, themselves, and an unlucky actuality of their cap and contracts state of affairs. Philadelphia has a variety of comparable wants on protection, together with most notably at security and alongside the defensive position. Go rushers can be focused extensively by each squads. The opposite clear defensive place of overlapping want is security, however it’s potential the Eagles and Seahawks received’t worth the very same type of security based mostly on their particular schematic wants.

There are in all probability three potential security targets within the first spherical. The Third-ranked security we already mentioned with the Seahawks’ choose, whereas Caleb Downs of Ohio State and Dillon Thieneman of Oregon are each extra more likely to be chosen earlier, even perhaps earlier than the Eagles make their choice. I do suppose McNeil-Warren might match for both staff, however it’s potential, given the Eagles propensity for utilizing man protection and true nickel (three corners), they could not worth him in fairly the identical approach. That mentioned, I do suppose both staff might train him as extra of a middle discipline robust security kind, it’s merely that his already demonstrated zone capabilities can be extra engaging to Seattle. The Eagles led the NFL in man-coverage charge at 44.1% and did most of that injury out of the true nickel base (74.9%, or 4th within the NFL).

There’s not as a lot overlap elsewhere on protection. The Eagles are fairly nicely set at beginning cornerback now, not that their present personnel preclude them from looking for extra depth. It’s essential to notice that Woolen’s contract with the Eagles is just one 12 months, so the staff continues to be looking out for a long-term possibility there. I feel Seattle additionally has their beginning exterior corners, however they rotate Witherspoon each out and in, and whereas Emmanwori has proven himself to be a succesful slot/nickel, Seattle could also be trying so as to add a minimum of yet another nook that may both stick exterior or flex inside to rotate Emmanwori across the shell.

Defensive deal with for the Eagles is settled with their youth in tow. Jalen Carter is more likely to get an extension earlier than too lengthy. The place they diverge is Seattle’s points past this upcoming 12 months, with Williams and Reed each over thirty, and Pili getting only a one-year extension at nostril. Williams additionally comes off the books, so the Seahawks want to seek out long run solutions on the within of their defensive position. The identical is partly true at SAM for Seattle, with Mafe’s transfer to Cincinnati and Nwosu, at thirty years outdated, set to be a free agent subsequent 12 months. They don’t have a lot long-term safety. The Eagles are youthful and have extra depth right here.

On offense, each groups are in all probability within the hunt for guard expertise. Seattle wants long-term solutions at proper guard, and whereas they’ve them probably on the roster already, it’s potential they give the impression of being so as to add extra depth. The Eagles abruptly discover themselves seeking to enhance their line, as nicely, and Dickerson might not be round for much longer. Steen isn’t as constant on the suitable, however the Eagles have the next precedence, in some ways, at proper deal with. Seattle may need extra want to enhance within the heart, however this isn’t essentially one of the best draft to meet that want.

There’s not an excessive amount of overlap on offensive wants, in any other case. Each groups are settled at quarterback. Seattle wants a real primary working again, whereas the Eagles don’t. Large receiver is a bit murkier for each squads. I nonetheless suppose Seattle might look to enhance their quantity two and/or three receiver state of affairs. The A.J. Brown rumors maintain swirling for Philly, however up to now there’s no motion, and the Eagles have signed a pair extra guys for insurance coverage. Seattle is way more settled at tight finish long-term, whereas the Eagles should ultimately discover their tight finish(s) of the long run.

In summation, it seems just like the Eagles and the Seahawks have primarily overlapping wants at defensive finish (edge), security, and guard. Whereas each groups will in all probability have a look at the identical sorts of gamers at finish to fulfill cross dashing wants, and maybe even at guard, Seattle’s lighter zone protection protection and extra variable alignment construction could worth a barely totally different type of security than the one the Eagles are after. Given the groups’ mild commerce historical past between Roseman and Schneider during the last sixteen years, it seems extra possible that pattern will proceed, with the chances of the 2 groups buying and selling on draft day on the decrease finish. The Eagles don’t have an enormous want to maneuver again and add extra picks, and Seattle doesn’t have a variety of picks to maneuver up with, given their relative positions within the first spherical.

For those who managed to learn all this, first I wish to say congratulations! You actually earned a prize and are probably one of some. Then I wish to say thanks for sticking with me. My aim with this was to primarily make you an knowledgeable on the Seattle Seahawks heading into subsequent season. As a member of the NFC, Seattle can be a hurdle the Eagles have to leap over in the event that they wish to return to the Tremendous Bowl. It doesn’t matter what Seattle does within the draft, they’ve the league’s consideration as reigning champions. Definitely, it seems, their protection goes to be a tricky out for a while to come back. And to whichever staff drafts Emmanuel McNeil-Warren: you’re getting a prepared and keen defensive menace.

2026 BGN Mock Draft Order

1) Raiders (Mailata_in_a_Miata): Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana2) Jets (Dr.MidnightGreen): Arvell Reese, EDGE, Ohio State3) Cardinals (grantspectations): Spencer Fano, OT, Utah4) Titans (DrBubbles): Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame5) Giants (ablesser88): Sonny Types, LB, Ohio State6) Browns (kjb304): Olaivavega Ioane, OG, Penn State7) Commanders (Jerry Robinson 56): Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State8) Saints (VetStadiumSection358): David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech9) Chiefs (Hoosinole): Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State10) Bengals (chuckelberryfinn): Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami11) Dolphins (phillyfan): Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State12) Cowboys (ejdubya): Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami13) Rams (All_Hail_Howie): Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU14) Ravens (215T1LL1D1e): Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia15) Buccaneers (pascofljoe): Makai Lemon, WR, USC16) Jets (Euegene11): Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama17) Lions (BCHaas): Blake Miller, OT, Clemson18) Vikings (The Participant Previously Referred to as Mousecop): Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon19) Panthers (jaynase): Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon20) Cowboys (Cravin’ LeBlanc): Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee21) Steelers (iam4theBirdz): Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn22) Chargers (Aint1stULast): Kadyn Proctor, OL, Alabama23) Eagles (Philly21): Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State24) Browns (FierceDisc65): Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah25) Bears (jazztafari): Zion Younger, EDGE, Missouri26) Payments (PhillyTexan): Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State27) 49ers (granthill7): Omar Cooper Jr. WR, Indiana28) Texans (CrackTheEaglesNut): Emmanuel Pregnon, OG, Oregon29) Chiefs (z): Cashius Howell, EDGE, Texas A&M30) Dolphins (Booth12): T.J. Parker, EDGE, Clemson31) Patriots (Niels Rosenquist): Akheem Mesidor, EDGE, Miami32) Seahawks (J. Wil): Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo

2026 BGN Group Consensus Mock Draft

Now it’s YOUR TURN to vote for who you suppose must be chosen with this choose.

1) Raiders: QB Fernando Mendoza2) Jets: EDGE Arvell Reese3) Cardinals: OT Francis Mauigoa4) Titans: RB Jeremiyah Love5) Giants: LB Sonny Styles6) Browns: WR Carnell Tate7) Commanders: EDGE David Bailey8) Saints: EDGE Rueben Bain Jr.9) Chiefs: S Caleb Downs10) Bengals: CB Mansoor Delane11) Dolphins: WR Jordyn Tyson12) Cowboys: CB Jermod McCoy13) Rams: WR Makai Lemon14) Ravens: OT Monroe Freeling15) Buccaneers: TE Kenyon Sadiq16) Jets: OG Olaivavega Ioane17) Lions: OT Spencer Fano18) Vikings: S Dillon Thieneman19) Panthers: OT Kadyn Proctor20) Cowboys: EDGE Akheem Mesidor21) Steelers: EDGE Keldric Faulk22) Chargers: OT Caleb Lomu23) Eagles: OT Max Iheanachor24) Browns: OT Blake Miller25) Bears: S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren26) Payments: DT Kayden McDonald27) 49ers: WR Omar Cooper Jr.28) Texans: Emmanuel Pregnon, OG, Oregon29) Chiefs: CB Colton Hood30) Dolphins: EDGE T.J. Parker31) Patriots: EDGE Malachi Lawrence32) Seahawks: