seahawks

Seahawks draft targets: Running back

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By Jared Stanger

I had planned to make these tiered draft pieces by position group for most positions, but I’ve been slacking through the holidays. Today I’m back on my bullshit and looking at running backs. Seahawks are currently looking at a free agency period where Kenneth Walker is at the end of his contract and unrestricted, and George Holani will be an exclusive rights free agent. It remains to be seen if they will pay him. The team HAS made in-season contract extensions this year with Charles Cross, Eric Saubert, Abe Lucas. If both team and player were eager for a reunion; we would have likely seen the extension.

I’m not convinced the Seahawks want him back. Certainly not on a veteran deal with Walker being paid above his current rookie scale. I suspect Mike Macdonald is looking for a different type of runner.

With Seahawks limited 2026 draft capital; it will be tough to project them using one of their four current picks on a RB. But, as you’ll soon see, I think this might be a draft cycle that you can prioritize RB in rookie free agency. John Schneider and his staff seemed to go pretty aggressive in the 2025 UDFA phase where they acquired guys like Jared Ivey, Amari Kight, Connor O’toole, Nick Kallerup.

This leads us to a refresher on the structure of these pieces on the tiers of the 2026 Draft. Basically, I’m looking for the best player from three tiers of investment: high, mid, low cost. For the Edge Rushers, I called high cost the 1st to 2nd round. Running back typically carries lower positional value, and this year there aren’t likely more than one name that will be picked in the 1st round. So I’m calling high cost for RB; 2nd to 3rd round. Mid = 4th to 7th. And I’m calling low for RB the entirety of rookie free agency.

High round:

Not only do I not really see a running back I would imagine Seattle would draft in the first round; I kinda don’t see anyone they would take in the first three rounds. I like Jonah Coleman very much, but in my analytics study of the RB class; Coleman didn’t really ping.

Emmett Johnson from Nebraska is ranked #84 on the big board, and hit on a few of my metrics, but failed on others. The guy is crazy elusive, but didn’t score highly on running after contact and a couple others.

The highest ranked RB that did ping was Penn State’s Kaytron “Fatman” Allen from Penn State. Listed 5’11″/219lbs, Allen has 1300 rushing yards this year with 15 TD’s. Consensus big board has Allen as the #124 player in the class, which actually lands mid-4th round. Until we get testing data at the Combine; I suspect Allen might test on the slower side.

Mid round:

I’m honestly fudging things a bit to get this mid-tier in here. For whatever reason; the media has a dogshit perception of this RB class. Miami RB Mark Fletcher, the guy who has basically been carrying the Miami offense in the college playoffs, is not ranked draftable. He is a Junior that, due to Miami’s playoff run, has not announced his draft intention. But even if you look at his 2027 draft value it comes in as UDFA.

Fletcher is listed at 6’2″/225lbs and rushed for 1080 yards and 10 TD this year after missing two games near the middle of the season. Up until recently, I was more or less assuming Macdonald likes a RB that resembles something he worked alongside and had to defend in Baltimore where guys like Kenyan Drake and Gus Edwards were bigger backs getting the bulk of the carries.

But recently Seattle has been adding guys like Velus Jones (6’0″/204lbs), Myles Gaskin (5’10″/200lbs), Kenny Mcintosh (6’0″/204lbs) to various parts of the roster, as well as having some rumored interest in Devon Achane (5’9″/191lbs) at the recent trade deadline. It’s a position group without total clarity of where Macdonald’s true vision lies because he has never, really, had to acquire an RB1 or RB2 since he’s been here. The only RB we’ve seen John and Mike draft since Mike arrived was 2025 when they picked Damien Martinez in the 7th round. Martinez was 6’0″/217lbs, but he was shortlived for the roster; and his “replacements” were primarily the smaller backs I just mentioned.

I am moving forward with my projections based on my own speculation of what I THINK would work best in this offense. I think Fletcher ticks a lot of the boxes.

Low round (UDFA):

This is where things really popped for my research, which means you probably don’t NEED to draft a RB. I got multiple guys that came up really interesting and the media has no clue.

Kaelon Black & Roman Hemby – The two guys sharing carries in the same Indiana backfield both scored very similarly in my study. Black is listed 5’10″/211lbs and rushed for 898 yards and 8 TD, while Hemby is listed 6’0″/210lbs and rushed for 1007 yards and 7 TD. Hemby has a little better standing nationally for draft projection as a guy that is barely outside the range of top 256 players on the board.

Hemby is possibly a tougher runner, while Black is a bit more explosive. Black is a better pass-blocker, while Hemby is a better pass-catcher. Two really intriguing players with great intangibles.

Kejon Owens – Owens is a 5’11″/210lb back coming out of Florida International who ran for 1300 yards and 11 TD’s, with bigtime explosive plays on tape. He reminds me a bit of Ken Walker.

Dontae Mcmillan – Listed 5’10″/203lbs, Mcmillan played at Eastern Michigan but he’s actually from Seattle. He has very good explosive numbers, but on tape I fear he might test a little slow in the forty. He ran for 1000 yards this year, but only 4 TD. I don’t know that Mcmillan would be my #1 RB I’d sign in UDFA, but as a Seattle guy; I think if you offer him a deal; he’ll take it.

Robert Henry – Listed 5’9″/205lbs, Henry ran for 1045 yards on only 151 carries, and added 9 TD. In spite of not being the biggest back, Henry posted some of the best scores on running after contact.

I think the Seahawks should punt on RB in the actual draft, and then offer guaranteed money to two RB in the rookie free agency period. If they can swing it; one of the Indiana guys and Kejon Owens would be very interesting.

Seahawks draft targets: Edge Rusher

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By Jared Stanger

As I’ve been locating, cataloging, documenting various aspects of this draft cycle; it started to occur to me there might be a post, or series of posts, illustrating various tiers of draft capital investment. In a big-picture view, this can help to establish positional priorities, and it may also lock in the tiers of talent across all positions that can help evolve a general draft strategy of when to focus your draft picks vs when to bail from draft ranges.

The first position group I’ve decided to take a closer look at is one that draft media has long said is a strength of this year: the Edge rushers. As I dug into the position in as comprehensive a manner as I could; I discovered multiple new names to add to my board, which I think supports the idea that this is a deep group.

Edge also feels particularly relevant to the Seahawks due to the news/rumors that came out during the trade deadline build-up where-in impending free agent Edge Boye Mafe was being floated as a trade away candidate. Seattle may be anticipating a good Edge draft and willing to let Mafe walk as a free agent for a potential compensatory draftpick, and replace Mafe with youth.

The format for these pieces, which I’m currently planning to do for all position groups, will be to identify a candidate(s) at a high price point (1st-2nd round), a mid price point (3rd-5th round), and a low price point (6th round-UDFA). These candidates will be weighted as much to what I believe to be current Seahawk traits under John Schneider as the buyer for a Mike Macdonald menu.

High round:

I did some pretty intensive research into what I think Macdonald likes in his Edge players. I tried to be pretty objective to the traits I think he likes, I allowed each player to have one category where they fell below standard, but they could not have two strikes against, and this led to some interesting eliminations, and certainly to some VERY interesting additions.

After going through multiple levels of eliminations; I only came away with one name still in consideration that currently has projection in the top 64 picks/top two rounds: Missouri Edge Zion Young. It should be noted there are five names that survived my process, and Zion finished fifth of five of those names.

Young has 15.0 TFL, 6.5 sacks, 11 hurries in 11 games so far this year, and he has projection in roughly the middle of the second round.

Mid round:

Again, I only came away with one player in this range: Miami Edge Akheem Mesidor. Mesidor had some interesting pings in studying the group. He has posted 12.0 TFL, 7.0 sacks, 4 hurries, 4 forced fumbles in 10 games. His consensus draft ranking puts him in the third round. I think this is an interesting idea. A trench player from a blue chip program is never far from Schneider’s heart.

Low round:

This is where I felt things got really interesting. This is where I came away with three names that survived all rounds of elimination without accruing two strikes. All three of these guys currently are projecting as undrafted free agent types. Some of that will change with decent athletic testing at the Combine. Some of that will change simply because the media is less aware of these guys than NFL teams actually are.

#1 – From SMU we have Edge Cameron Robertson, who has missed three games this year, but was back in the lineup for SMU’s most-recent game vs Louisville on November 22nd. In the eight games Robertson has played, he has posted 9.0 TFL, 5.0 sacks, 3 hurries.

#2 – From Central Michigan, we have Edge Michael Heldman. There’s something about the recent chatter about the Seahawks acquiring Maxx Crosby, a highly productive college player that came from Eastern Michigan and was drafted in the 4th round, that makes me intrigued with Heldman and the next guy I will talk about. Heldman has recorded 13.0 TFL, 9.5 sacks, 9 hurries in eleven games this year.

(Just for reference…Crosby in his draft year posted 19.0 TFL, 7.5 sacks, 7 hurries in twelve games.)

#3 – From Western Michigan we have Edge Nadame Tucker. Tucker was part of my recent mock draft that was primarily tape-based, and he looks even more intriguing after seeing him come out as still highly relevant in this more analytics-based study. He has 18.0 TFL, 12.0 sacks, 12 hurries, 4 forced fumbles in twelve games. He did come up short in one of my metrics, but in every other category; he really looked like a potential fit for Macdonald.

This is a very exciting player that draft media is not caught up on…yet.

I did a separate piece of analysis this week just trying to gauge Seattle’s interest in various position groups, and it really did make it seem they may be putting emphasis on Edge rusher(s). But then the question becomes: “does emphasis mean chronological priority?” Does needing an Edge rusher on your roster mean you force a pick on one in a draft that may see some quality guys fall further down due to depth of the class? Now, I’m not saying they wait until rookie free agency to get one of the three guys I highlighted as currently projected there…I suspect that will change by April. But it might mean you can get one on day three of the draft (like Crosby).

My priority list currently goes: Tucker, Heldman, Mesidor. In that order.

Seahawk November mock

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By Jared Stanger

We’re now a week past the trade deadline and we have an update on what picks the Seahawks have left after acquiring Rashid Shaheed from New Orleans. It is commonly being reported that Seattle has four picks left, but I think it’s five*. At the end of the preseason, we traded OT Mike Jerrell to Atlanta for a conditional 7th round pick. I did some digging and I don’t see any reason why people aren’t counting that pick other than, possibly, they’re cynical that Jerrell will hit the triggers (most likely games active or season snap count rate) to secure the pick for Seattle. But for now I’m going to include it.

So, Seattle has the picks at roughly #1.29, #2.61, #3.93, #6.207, #7.224. If we get to the draft and haven’t traded our first round pick for a veteran player; I really think John Schneider will trade back their first to get some more picks. I’m actually projecting two trades: #1.29 goes to Cleveland for picks #2.38, #4.104, #5.151 and then I have our pick #3.93 going to Denver for pick #4.103 and #4.130. Final draft pick allotment:

#2.38
#2.61
#4.103
#4.104
#4.130
#5.151
#6.207
#7.224

The next thing I’m taking a look at to inform this mock draft will be the Seahawk 2026 unrestricted free agents. We’re due to lose CB Josh Jobe, Riq Woolen, and Shemar Jean-Charles, DE Boye Mafe, LB Chazz Surratt, OT Josh Jones, RB Ken Walker, S Coby Bryant, WR Rashid Shaheed and Dareke Young. TE and DT have really good continuity into next year.

Seeing three CB as potential roster losses, and then knowing that this draft is not that strong at CB is a huge problem, to me. I’m kind of pushing a pick up for need, but it’s not a huge problem because some of the other positions we “need”, like WR and DE, have pretty good depth in this class.

#2.38 – Cornerback, San Diego State, Chris Johnson

I think we need to re-sign one of Jobe or Woolen, but then also draft a CB as early as possible. Johnson was in my previous mock but at a later round. Now I’m just cutting to the point. He’s 6’0″/195lbs, and for the year so far he has 3 INT, 7 PBU, 40 tackles, 2.0 TFL.

#2.61 – Center, Florida, Jake Slaughter

Personally, I just don’t think Jalen Sundell nor Olu Oluwatimi are the future of our Center position. We need to actually address it with some urgency. Slaughter was my favorite college center in the 2024 season, and I haven’t really seen much to move someone ahead of him. I know Logan Jones from Iowa is a touted athlete with good zone blocking experience, but I just like Slaughter’s brain more.

#4.103 – Quarterback, Duke, Darian Mensah

Obviously, the narrative has changed on Sam Darnold. But it’s probably not the last time it does. He’ll be recency biased to death based on his two most recent games for a while.

That isn’t really what this mock pick is about. I’ve never been a fan of Drew Lock, and I’ve consistently had my doubts on Jalen Milroe. I would like to take another midround shot at finding a developmental QB. Maybe Sam Darnold continues his current play and Mensah will be an inexpensive backup QB for 2-4 years, maybe Darnold reverts to his Jets’ form and Mensah becomes a starter sooner than we’d guess in November 2025. Doesn’t matter. One thing this draft does have is depth at QB. The first round may be a QB landmine, but there are a number of guys with middle round projection and yet some upside.

Mensah is listed 6’3″/205lbs, and currently playing to a 69.8% completion, 8.7 ypa, 24 TD to 4 INT, and a 165.07 passer rating. Basically, top 15 numbers for all QB’s this year. He is a redshirt sophomore this year after spending two years at Tulane, the most recent of which he started 13 games.

#4.104 – Linebacker, Texas Tech, Jacob Rodriguez

I think we’ve seen enough of the Mike Macdonald defense over the last year and a half to recognize it can be massively impacted by not having the right kind of guy playing linebacker. Ernest Jones really stabilized that position when he was acquired last year…Drake Thomas has been doing some really interesting things since becoming a starter a few weeks ago…Tyrice Knight had probably the best game of his career this week with Jones inactive with his injury. All of those guys have team control for at least another year. Rodriguez is just gonna be a guy we use to take the roster spot of Surratt, while also believing Rodriguez could slip into that green dot player a year or two down the road.

Rodriguez is listed 6’1″/235lbs, and he’s putting together an impressive 2025 campaign with 91 tackles, 9.5 TFL, 1.0 sack, 3 INT, 5 PBU, and he leads the country with 7 forced fumbles.

#4.130 – Offensive Line, Boise State, Kage Casey

I like this class of Guards, with a few that are college Tackles that likely kick in to Guard. For me, I’m drawn to a guy that CAN play tackle so that we have a de facto replacement for Josh Jones, but then you also get another warm body to challenge for the starting Right Guard job.

Casey is listed 6’5″/311lbs and he’s a very Northwest guy…college in Idaho after high school in Oregon. It’s a fun story to close the circuit going pro in Washington.

#6.151 – Wide Receiver, Duke, Cooper Barkate

After trading for Rashid Shaheed, and the subsequent press conference commentary that it seems Shaheed and the Seahawks will look to create a contract extension for him; I think we can look for a different type of WR in the next draft. In a literal sense, we’re looking to replace Dareke Young on the roster, but watching Barkate’s tape I also found myself thinking of a different receiver.

Barkate is listed 6’1″/195lbs, and so far he has posted 50 catches for 824 yards, 16.48ypc, and 5 TD in 9 games.

#6.207 – Edge Rusher, Western Michigan, Nadame Tucker

I have this idea of what Mike Macdonald covets in his Edge Rushers. Tucker is not that. After including the Macdonald type guy in my outline prior to writing this mock; I kind of abandoned it and went with the guy that looks like a potential future NFL contributor that was available late in the draft. This is a draft with some projected depth at DE, so we’re hoping to hit on one from that depth.

Tucker is listed 6’3″/250lbs with 38 tackles, 15.0 TFL, 9.5 sacks, 8 hurries, and 3 FF for the year. There have been numerous reports that Seattle was close to trading away Boye Mafe last week, so it seems we need to be expecting that he won’t be back for 2026 once he enters free agency next March. The big question going forward is: “what is their idea for replacing him?” Do they have a DE trade in mind that they may revisit after the season? Is there someone on the roster or practice squad that they see upside in, and will look to elevate next year? Or, are they thinking they could trade Mafe away and find someone in a deep DE draft?

#7.224 – Running Back, Miami, Mark Fletcher

Ken Walker is another impending free agent, and it’s really not clear what Seattle might intend to do with him. For the first half of the season, they’ve really been closely monitoring K9’s pitch counts. Are they simply trying to maintain his health to get him to the postseason? Or, maybe, more cynically, they may be trying to keep his free agent price lower so as to allow them to re-sign him cheaper.

Fletcher is listed 6’2″/225lbs, and has 636 yards rushing and 9 TD’s for the year.

The only free agent I haven’t really addressed via draftpick is Coby Bryant. I do have a short list of priority free agents, one of which is Nebraska Safety Deshon Singleton. In a down draft year; it’s tough to expect much, if any, talent to fall to undrafted free agency, so these names can be taken with a grain of salt, but right now I’ve got names like Singleton, LB Jack Kelly, OG Justin Pickett that would be amazing to sign after the draft.

Seahawks Mocktober

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By Jared Stanger

Tomorrow marks, roughly, week six of the college season, so we’ve got a pretty good idea of the players that have fallen out of favor from preseason mocks, and those that are rising to replace them. Unfortunately, it appears more and more like this isn’t a good year for the draft. Certainly, not in the first round. If the Seahawks were to trade their 2026 first rounder for some kind of veteran blue chip player that will help us right now; it would be a very calculated and shrewd move. I’m not going to project that move. Anyways, outside of Maxx Crosby, I’m not sure there are many of this caliber player that are also on bad teams right now, that Seattle could acquire.

I tend to think John Schneider will make some kind of move(s) prior to this trade deadline. Those moves would inevitably include some kind of draft compensation switching hands. I have a couple ideas on those types of moves I would like to see, but I am not including them in this mock. We can revisit the post-trade-deadline draft capital in November.

For now…Seattle only owns six 2026 draftpicks. Those picks fall roughly at: #1.23, #2.54, #3.85, #4.120, #5.160, #6.183.

In terms of Crosby and the Edge rusher position…I would LOVE to acquire that type of player. I have such roster envy when I see the teams with elite edge rushers. But…I have documented Mike Macdonald’s own words describing that his defensive scheme is designed to be a team passrush by design. He doesn’t NEED that elite edge rusher. Would he take one if one were to fall in the Seahawks lap in the draft?? Probably.

That brings me to my next point: when I studied this overall draft class in terms of depth of talent; I found that the two strongest positions were quarterback and edge rusher. Does this mean 1st round grade? Not necessarily. But I feel confident that if you take a dart-throw at one (or both) of those positions as a late 1st round positioned team, all the way back to the third, maybe fourth, round; you have a puncher’s chance of hitting on something great.

For me, with Sam Darnold playing as well as he has, at the contract value he is playing under, with two more QB on the roster for cheap through (at least) 2026, and with the way this college QB class is still painfully moving through transition of who the media THOUGHT would be the relevant QB’s in preseason to the eventuality of the guys that will ACTUALLY be the 1st round names and later the NFL franchise guys; I just can’t imagine Seattle’s first round pick is a QB.

I could see this more like the scenario we saw unfold in the 2025 draft where Seattle took their top guys at positions the NFL undervalues, or they could force drafting players from the shallower position groups this class that line up with Seattle “needs”. I think it’s too early to present a mock of the latter in terms of the 1st round. My mock drafts are always based around the current market price of players, and as such, in October, I can still find those need positions at later rounds.

My pick for the first round will be following the strategy of drafting from the strength of the particular draft class.

#1.23 – Defensive End, Oregon, Matayo Uiagalelei

Matayo Uiagalelei is a 6’5″/272lb junior OLB/DE. He is the brother of Charger backup quarterback DJ Uiagalelei, and cousin to UW edge Taitai Uiagalelei. He is the leading passrusher for the #6 defense in the country and his 2025 statline goes: 11 tackles, 5.0 TFL, 4.0 sacks, 2 hurries, 3 PBU.

The Seahawk roster currently has Demarcus Lawrence on a three-year deal that could be a one-year deal with only $4.6mill dead-cap in 2026. Uchenna Nwosu has one more year left with an $8.5mill dead-cap hit. Boye Mafe is on the last year of his rookie deal, and Derick Hall has one more year remaining on his. We do need some reinforcements at the Edge position.

Matayo vs the run:

Matayo passrush:

#2.54 – Cornerback, SDSU, Chris Johnson

In my opinion, Seattle needs get more out of their corner and inside linebacker rooms. They may address one, or both, of these positions via trade in the next few weeks. In the meantime, I am addressing both in the draft.

Chris Johnson is a 6’0″/195lb senior corner for the Aztecs with 29 tackles, 1.0 TFL, 2 INT, 6 PBU, and a FF on the year. As with most of my October mock drafts every year; many of my early picks will be higher on media boards by April. But for now we can get CJ here.

I have yet to find many suitable CB for this draft class, which puts a higher priority on drafting one than many other positions. I could, conceivably, see Schneider draft one in the 1st round with two of his current starting CB set to be free agents.

#3.85 – Linebacker, Cincinnati, Jake Golday

After two years of Mike Macdonald, it has become clear how important the inside linebacker position is to him. And he has no patience for guys that can’t grasp his scheme. The only mild surprise is that he hasn’t used more resources to secure quality players at the positions.

Jake Golday is a throwback to a prior era of linebacker as a 6’4″/240lb athlete at the position. He has 49 tackles, 3.0 sacks, 1 PBU, and a FF on the year. He will rise throughout this process.

#4.120 – Quarterback, Missouri, Beau Pribula

After five weeks of NFL football…I think the conversation on Sam Darnold is turning from “his contract makes it easy to get out of his deal after a year” to “this is a great, cost effective contract to have on our starting QB for the next three years.” I don’t mind that because I, personally, am not a fan of our backup situation. I’ve never liked Drew Lock, and I still have considerable reservations on Jalen Milroe. I don’t mind drafting another QB in a middle round in 2026, giving him two years to backup Darnold and learn the system (and the league), and then trade away one of Lock/Milroe for draft capital. As long as we’re using mid-round picks to do it; I think it’s a worthwhile endeavor.

At the same time…this quarterback draft class is completely off the rails. The preseason guys have completely fallen off. Off fell Nico Iamaleava, and Sam Leavitt, and Cade Klubnik. Still falling off are Drew Allar and Garrett Nussmeier. I still have my doubts about Carson Beck, but at the moment I can’t say his play has fallen off. And then I think Arch Manning and Lanorris Sellers are prime candidates to stay in school another year.

Rising in their places: Fernando Mendoza, Julian Sayin, Jayden Maiava, Luke Altmyer, Dante Moore, Ty Simpson, Darian Mensah, Sawyer Robertson, and Beau Pribula. I’ve sort of tentatively circled the trio of Altmyer, Robertson, and Pribula as the three I’m focusing on. All three have had reasons to be excited so far.

Robertson leads the country in passing yards and passing TD’s.

Altmyer is second in the country in YPA, 7th in comp %, 5th in passer rating, and he’s one of three QB in the country with at least 10 TD and 0 INT that have thrown over 140 pass attempts (but the only one from a power 5 school).

Pribula’s highest ranking is completion % where he ranks third in the country, but he has Mizzou undefeated and the #14 team in the country.

I’ve recently had to cut back on my ranking of Robertson because of comments he has made in press conferences that, I think, point to him not having the personality I seek in a leader that wants to win like a sociopath. Like, I think he’s a mentally healthy human being, but mentally healthy human beings don’t generally win Super Bowls.

I have my reasons for choosing Pribula over Altmyer…most of which I’m not going to get into in this mock. Suffice to say; he is my current pick until his draft stock rises and I have to make some tougher choices. At the moment, I’m thrilled to get him in the third round.

#5.160 – Tight End, Missouri, Brett Norfleet

This is NOT a good class of tight ends. Certainly not compared to the 2025 class. It would be incredibly smart for a few junior TE to declare early. That’s what Norfleet is. He’s a physical specimen at 6’6″/260lbs, and I’ve enjoyed seeing his physicality in his run-blocking and pass-catching when I’ve been watching Pribula’s tape. His numbers aren’t overwhelming at 20 catches, 174 yards, 8.70 ypc, but 4 TD’s is good enough for tied for 24th in the country in receiving TD for all targets, and tied for first amongst all TE.

#6.183 – Guard, Duke, Justin Pickett

There was a draft of this mock where I had Seattle taking ANOTHER first round Guard. That might be pushing John Schneider too hard on something he isn’t totally comfortable doing, after he finally broke from tendency and drafted Grey Zabel in the first last year. I’m not sure if a Center would also be pushing it, too (I do love Jake Slaughter, but he might only cost a second, anyways).

But also, I started looking at Justin Pickett. He is a 6’7″/320lb senior OL on the same side as the buzzy draft name, Brian Parker, only Pickett gets like 1% of the same publicity.

One of my favorite things to do in mock drafting is to draft backwards. Who are the guys you absolutely love, that you would bang the table for, that are currently available in the 5th-6th rounds? Okay, write those guys in pen in those late rounds FIRST, and then circle back to the top of the draft where you can take other positions with even less pressure to take a need.

I have a pro player-comp for Pickett in mind, which I can’t put on record right now. I will say the comp is a pro bowl player that was drafted on day three of his particular draft.

Pickett is #77 in these couple snaps, playing at right guard. That first snap looks like a textbook mirror drill from the NFL Combine.

I’m aware that this mock draft is lacking. It’s lacking in volume, for one. It’s lacking in player for pick trades, and it’s lacking in any kind of trade back within the draft to add picks. And, I think, it’s lacking in a WR.

Some drafts you go into them trying to find stars, some drafts you go into them trying to fill free agent holes on your roster, and some drafts you go into them looking to make pointed improvements to your returning roster. For me, this year is kind of the latter. Can we improve RG over Anthony Bradford? Can we improve TE over Brady Russell? Can we improve QB over Drew Lock? Can we improve LB over Tyrice Knight? Can we improve CB over Riq Woolen? Can we improve DE over Uchenna Nwosu?

The 2026 Seahawk roster is in a good place. Our impending unrestricted free agent list goes: Josh Jones (backup OT), Boye Mafe (0 sacks), Johnathan Hankins (still on NFI), Ken Walker, Josh Jobe, Eric Saubert (TE3-4), Chazz Surratt (LB4-5), Coby Bryant, Riq Woolen, Dareke Young (WR5). That’s maybe five starters, but one of which we may already be actively shopping in trade and likely won’t be re-signed. If you did nothing else in terms of free agency; the mock draft I’ve laid out above gets you replacements for Mafe, Saubert, Surratt, Woolen without spending a dime above rookie contracts. And then some of the 2025 starters become 2026 backups. You’ve lengthened your lineup. Which might be the best case scenario for this draft cycle.