Which Players Could Seahawks ‘Stick & Pick’ at No. 32 in 2026 NFL Draft?
John Schneider hasn't been secretive about his desire for the Seahawks to trade down from pick No. 32 at the end of the first round to acquire extra picks.
Emerald City Spectrum reporter Corbin Smith examines a handful of prospects who could make Seattle's Executive of the Year change his mind if they remain available on Thursday night, including a trio of highly regarded cornerback talents.
Big Board: Ranking Top Cornerback Targets for Seahawks in 2026 NFL Draft
With the deadline come and gone for teams to bring prospects into town for official visits, it’s full steam ahead for the Seattle Seahawks and the rest of the league heading towards the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft.
After losing former Pro Bowl starter Riq Woolen in free agency, the Seahawks could be in the market for a cornerback as early as the No. 32 overall pick in the first round. Fortunately, this year’s incoming class at the position features both top-end talent and depth, providing plenty of options for general manager John Schneider and coach Mike Macdonald to address one of their biggest needs on defense.
Which corners stand out as the best of the best for Seattle to potentially choose from?
Seahawks Leaving No Stone Unturned Looking at Talented Cornerback Class in 2026 NFL Draft
Slated to pick last in the first round by virtue of winning Super Bowl LX, the Seattle Seahawks could go any number of directions on the opening night of the 2026 NFL Draft, including trading out of the round entirely to recoup additional selections in later rounds.
But while the Seahawks have other needs such as edge rusher and running back that could be addressed early with their first selection, regardless of whether they stick and pick or trade down, if the team’s reported official 30 visits serve as any indication, cornerback appears to be at the top of general manager John Schneider’s wish list. Out of 18 players reported so far to fly out to Seattle, seven of them played corner at some point during their collegiate careers.
This shouldn’t necessarily come as a surprise development, as the Seahawks lost four-year starter Riq Woolen to the Eagles in free agency and while they did retain Josh Jobe on a three-year contract, coach Mike Macdonald has limited experience to lean on behind All-Pro Devon Witherspoon and Jobe on the depth chart. Third-year defender Nehemiah Pritchett has started one game in his career, veteran Shemar Jean-Charles spent all of last year on the practice squad and has two career starts, and free agent signee Noah Igbinoghene has started 17 out of 69 games played, hardly living up to his first round billing after being drafted 30th overall by the Dolphins in 2020.
2026 NFL Draft: Ranking 10 Possible Picks for Seahawks to Take at No. 32 in First Round
The calendar has turned to April. For some, that means baseball season. For others, The Masters, the Final Four, or planting a garden, or looking forward to longer hours of daylight. For football fans, that means the NFL Draft is closing in.
The 2026 NFL Draft will be held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania from April 23 to 25. By virtue of winning the Super Bowl, the Seattle Seahawks have the last pick in the draft, selecting 32nd overall. Certainly, that’s the goal for every NFL franchise to be picking last in the draft because that means you just hoisted the Lombardi Trophy.
Indeed, the defending champs have a host of needs heading into the draft. They didn’t address needs with major moves in free agency. Their biggest moves, aside from re-signing a few of their own, were to sign running back Emanuel Wilson and corner Noah Igbinoghene, both getting just one-year deals under $2 million.
Now, the main way teams can improve their team between now and fall is via the draft. Who might the Seahawks take at 32 (if they pick there at all)? Which options are better than others?
Analysis: Identifying Best Cornerback Fits for Seahawks’ 2026 Draft Picks
Undergoing significant changes in the secondary in the aftermath of a Super Bowl LX victory, the Seattle Seahawks lost two key members from their starting defensive backfield in free agency, including the departure of cornerback Riq Woolen for Philadelphia.
While Seattle didn’t exit free agency empty handed by re-signing fellow starter Josh Jobe on a three-year, $24 million deal and adding former Dolphins first-round pick Noah Igbinoghene as an intriguing reclamation project, Woolen’s exit still leaves the team with limited depth at the position. With the exception of Devon Witherspoon, Jobe, and Igbinoghene, the Seahawks don’t have another cornerback on the roster with previous starting experience, including third-year defender Nehemiah Pritchett, who has only seen action sparingly as an injury replacement to this point.
Fortunately for general manager John Schneider, even with only four draft picks scheduled for next month’s 2026 NFL Draft, the Seahawks should have ample options to restock the cupboard thanks to a deep, talented cornerback group in this year’s class. There could be as many as five corners selected in the first round, while the position features starter-caliber players who will be available on Day 2 and potentially even well into the final four rounds on Day 3.
Looking at this year’s latest crop of cornerbacks, which players stand out as the best potential fits to succeed Woolen and help reinforce the Seahawks’ secondary for 2026 and beyond with each of their four selections?
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