Seahawks Trade Back, Select Kansas WR Emmanuel Henderson With Pick 199 in 2026 NFL Draft

Kansas Jayhawks wide receiver Emmanuel Henderson Jr. (1) runs with the ball against Utah Utes cornerback Blake Cotton (16) during the second half at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

Once again plugging a hole created by a departed free agent, moments after trading down with the New York Jets to recoup a seventh-round selection, the Seattle Seahawks bolstered their special teams depth by tabbing Kansas receiver Emmanuel Henderson Jr. with the 199th pick of the 2026 NFL Draft.

Originally starting his college career at Alabama, Henderson played three seasons for the Crimson Tide, mostly starring on special teams as a gunner on punt coverage with a handful of kick and punt return opportunities, producing 10 tackles during that span. Seeking more snaps on offense after a limited role in Tuscaloosa, he transferred to Kansas before his senior season and posted career-highs in receptions (45), receiving yards (766), and touchdowns (five) with the Jayhawks while adding a kick return for a touchdown.

More fast than quick, Henderson did the majority of his damage in Kansas’ offense as a vertical threat, snagging 11 receptions on passes that traveled 20-plus yards for 415 yards and three touchdowns. With legit 4.44 speed, he also demonstrated the ability to create with the ball in his hands by leaving pursuing defenders in the dust, averaging seven yards per reception after the catch.

Offering some gadget weapon capabilities, Henderson saw limited action as a running back at Alabama and Kansas after playing the position in high school, but that likely won’t be part of his repertoire in Seattle. Given his lack of offensive experience prior to his senior season, he will be a project as a route runner, looking to add wrinkles to his game beyond being a vertical field-stretching threat, along with being in the mix to utilize on end arounds and jet sweeps as an extension to the run game.

Out of the gate, Henderson’s special teams prowess will be his best pathway to a roster spot, as he’s a natural fit to succeed Dareke Young as one of Seattle’s gunners on punt coverage and potentially slide into the other kick return spot next to Rashid Shaheed while continuing to develop as a receiver under the tutelage of coach Frisman Jackson.