Seahawks Minicamp Takeaways: Nick Emmanwori Adding New Wrinkle, Zach Charbonnet Progresses
Launching the final phase of their offseason program, the Seattle Seahawks kicked off mandatory minicamp on Tuesday with the vast majority of players on the field, including the return of veterans Demarcus Lawrence and Leonard Williams.
What stood out of from Day 1 of Seattle’s annual three-day minicamp? Here are five takeaways from Tuesday’s session at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center:
1. Sam Darnold and Jaxon Smith-Njigba steering towards midseason form in the final week of the offseason program.
Crazily enough, Darnold and Smith-Njigba turned in a historic 2025 season combining to link up for over 1,700 yards and 10 touchdowns with limited practice time, as the two had never played together prior to hitting the field for the first time last April. But they developed outstanding chemistry seemingly overnight with the quarterback and receiver lighting it up throughout the offseason program and training camp before leading the charge for a top-five scoring offense on the way to a Super Bowl victory.
On the heels of that immense success, Smith-Njigba had some bad news for opponents on Tuesday, sending a message on the field and at the podium that the two stars expect to be even more in sync in their second season in tandem. After a somewhat quiet trio of OTA practices, the reigning Offensive Player of the Year jumped back into dominant form, starting with a nifty 20-yard catch on a quick out route where he managed to beat the quarter-quarter side of a Cover 6 look outside to make the catch before the outside cornerback could even blink, setting up a Jason Myers field goal in a two-minute drill situation.
Analysis: What to Watch as Seahawks Kick Off OTAs
Taking the next step towards a new season, the Seattle Seahawks will open the final phase of their offseason program with the start of OTAs, partaking in the first open session to media on May 26.
With three open sessions and 10 total practices scheduled in the next two weeks before mandatory minicamp in mid-June, here are five storylines to watch heading into OTAs at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center:
1. Brian Fleury begins his journey as a first-time play caller with massive shoes to fill.
This time last spring, after dismissing Ryan Grubb just one day after missing the playoffs in 2024, the Seahawks handed the keys to their offense to Klint Kubiak, who held previous experience as an NFL play caller with the Vikings and Saints. That courtship ended up being a home run for the franchise and the coach, as Seattle finished in the top five in the league in points scored and set a team record for points scored in a single season. That success ultimately led to Kubiak being hired as the new coach of the Las Vegas Raiders in February, and while nobody could have reasonably expected such a triumphant one-and-done scenario to play out, there were signs that his scheme would bring out the best in quarterback Sam Darnold and company in OTAs.
Pre-OTAs Projection: Which Offensive Players Will Make Seahawks’ 53-Man Roster in 2026?
Lighting up scoreboards from start to finish, the Seattle Seahawks leaned on a potent offense that ranked in the top five in the NFL last season to finish with 17 wins and capture the second Lombardi Trophy in franchise history.
As they embark on their title defense with the final phase of the offseason program starting next week, the Seahawks will have most of the band back together from last year’s Super Bowl squad. All 11 players who logged at least 700 offensive snaps will return, and with the exception of running back Ken Walker III, every starter from last season remains under contract, presenting unprecedented continuity for a defending NFL champion.
With that continuity, however, few roster spots will be available on the offensive side of the ball as competitions heat up in coming weeks leading up to the start of training camp. Even for reserves who played snaps last season, with a new crop of rookies and free agent signees on board, there won’t be any guarantee of sticking around on the 53-man roster this time around on one of the NFL’s deepest teams.
Rumbling into OTAs at the VMAC, which offensive players will survive cuts to make Seattle’s opening week roster?
Analysis: Investigating Seahawks’ Key Offensive Position Battles Entering OTAs
Set to kick off OTAs next week at the VMAC, the Seattle Seahawks will welcome back plenty of familiar faces from their Super Bowl squad. In fact, all 11 players who logged at least 700 offensive snaps in 2025 remain under contract heading into the new season, presenting rare continuity for a defending champion.
Thanks to the minimal changes, with running back being the lone exception to the rule after losing Ken Walker III to Kansas City in free agency and drafting Jadarian Price with the 32nd overall pick, Seattle will open the final phase of the offseason program without many starting jobs up for grabs on offense. All five offensive linemen who started last year will return, as will quarterback Sam Darnold and a dynamic receiving corps headlined by Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Rashid Shaheed, and Cooper Kupp.
But while few starting jobs may be on the line, the Seahawks should still have some enticing competitions on tap on the offensive side of the football when they hit the practice field next week, including a pair of fun depth contests looming at guard and receiver further bolstered by selections made in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Which battles offer the most intrigue with two months until the start of training camp?
Best/Worst Case Scenarios For Every 2026 Seahawks Draft Pick
Now officially embarking on their NFL careers, the Seattle Seahawks unveiled their latest draft class for the first time earlier this month at their annual rookie minicamp at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center, providing an opportunity to begin evaluating first-round selection Jadarian Price and the rest of the team's 2026 draft picks before the start of OTAs next week.
While Price and his 2026 draft cohorts won't be playing in game action for several months, it's never too early to prognosticate how they may perform in their first season with the Seahawks. As they prepare to begin competing against veterans in the final phase of the offseason program during OTAs and mandatory minicamp, what can the franchise realistically expect from the third draft class of the Mike Macdonald era?
Looking into the crystal ball, with potential injuries not in consideration, here are best and worst case scenarios for all eight of Seattle's incoming draft picks in 2026.
Analysis: How Did Seahawks Fare Replacing Boye Mafe, Departed Free Agent Talent?
Teams that win the Super Bowl typically have to pay the toll that comes with such success when free agency opens at the start of a new NFL league year, and while the Seattle Seahawks only lost five players off of the Lombardi Trophy-winning squad, they weren’t an exception to that rule as several key starters departed for greener pastures this offseason.
With the start of OTAs just around the corner and the 2026 NFL Draft in the books, the Seahawks have made a concerted effort to plug those newly-created holes through their own free agency signings as well as adding an eight-player draft class. More moves may be yet to come, but at this stage of the offseason, the projected replacements for the likes of Ken Walker III and Riq Woolen among others likely are already under contract for 2026.
How did Seattle fare finding short and/or long-term replacements for their free agent losses? Here’s a look at all five departures, their projected successors, and an early verdict on whether the team upgraded or downgraded at the position.
Stock Watch: Examining Seahawks Post-Draft Winners, Losers
Now more than a week removed from the 2026 NFL Draft, the Seattle Seahawks have gotten a first look at their newest draft class via rookie minicamp, and the offseason program will soon kick into full overdrive with Phase 2 opening next week.
At this point, Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald and general manager John Schneider haven’t gotten to see first-round pick Jadarian Price and the rest of the 2026 class on the field with returning veterans from their Super Bowl LX-winning squad. But that will soon change as on-field workouts ramp up to the next step and Organized Team Activities (OTAs) eventually open on May 26, providing the rookies with a chance to start gunning for starting jobs and roster spots.
With rookies soon to be thrown into the fire battling against seasoned veterans, which returning players and coaches stood out as the biggest winners coming out of the NFL Draft for the Seahawks? And who needs to keep a focused eye on their rearview mirror with objects being closer than they appear?
Ranking Seahawks Draft Picks By Readiness to Contribute Early in 2026
With the Seattle Seahawks selecting eight players in the 2026 NFL Draft, not all of them will be ready to make an immediate impact. Patience will be required for a few prospects at least. Some might impress in training camp and earn early playing time on special teams, rather than their traditional offensive or defensive positions.
Let’s rank the eight draft picks of the Seahawks’ 2026 class by their readiness to make an early impact during the 2026 season.
8. Michael Dansby, CB, Arizona
First off, the defensive back group is now absolutely stacked with three cornerbacks being selected out of eight picks. Breaking through will be extremely difficult for Dansby as the last pick of Seattle’s draft, late in the seventh round. He is a man-coverage specialist but not as physically gifted as Julian Neal or Andre Fuller. He likely will need to fight for a special teams role, but in all likelihood, he’s headed to the practice squad in the fall.
Takeaways From Day 2 of Seahawks’ 2026 Rookie Minicamp
Wrapping up Phase 1 of their offseason program, the Seattle Seahawks conducted the second of two rookie minicamp sessions at the VMAC on Saturday, providing another opportunity for Mike Macdonald and the coaching staff to take a close look at their new incoming draft class, signed undrafted free agents, and a host of tryout players.
As is always the case this time of year with more than half of the participants not being under contract and trying to earn a contract with an NFL team, the vast majority of those who wore helmets over the past two days won’t be back with the Seahawks. But as Macdonald pointed out moments after the practice wrapped up, that doesn’t always mark the end of the journey either, as those who put their best foot forward could be on speed dial when injuries and/or personnel changes on the 90-man roster strike in coming weeks and months.
“Definitely. Everyone's on a different timeline,” Macdonald remarked. “I think they understand that, and that's part of the messaging too. We've had several guys that have come back in camp or even after camp or after the season. We've had a couple of examples of that too. Jalan Gaines is a guy that comes to mind that's with us now after not being with us at the end of the season. Just keep plugging away, trying your best. Don't worry about the count or timing or all that, but trust the process.”
Takeaways From Day 1 of Seahawks’ 2026 Rookie Minicamp
Launching their NFL careers by taking the practice field for the first time, the Seattle Seahawks’ latest 2026 draft class kicked off the next phase of the team’s offseason program with the first of two rookie minicamp sessions at the VMAC on Friday.
What stood out from the first practice for the Class of 2026? Here’s a few notes from the facility as rookies begin to get acclimated to their new surroundings:
Speed, quicks, and sculpted arms on early display for first round pick Jadarian Price.
Until the pads come on several months down the road, fans will have to wait to truly see what juice Price brings to the Seahawks’ backfield as the heir apparent for Ken Walker III. But as far as first impressions go in a non-contact OTA-like May practice, he looked the part of a first round pick amongst his peers.
‘Class Act’: Jadarian Price Brings Professional Approach, Rare Traits to Seahawks’ Backfield
No matter where a prospect starred, even in an era now defined by NIL and the transfer portal that has blurred the lines between amateur and professional considerably, there’s no such thing as a college football player being 100% prepared for jumping up to the highest level of the sport in the NFL.
If there’s a program that truly offers the complete package preparation-wise prior to entering the league, however, the “golden domers” at Notre Dame may just take the cake. The Fighting Irish not only have one of the most storied traditions for winning in college football on the field with 972 victories all-time, but they boast one of the most prestigious academic institutions in the world, providing a unique, one-of-a-kind environment that fosters both strong work ethic and real world habits that translate well to the high-stakes life of playing in the NFL.
Earning a degree in sociology while helping Notre Dame reach a College Football Playoff Championship Game along the way, Jadarian Price made the most of his four-year experience in South Bend, and as the latest first round pick for the Seattle Seahawks, he’s already seeing the benefits of playing for the Fighting Irish as he adapts to his new team and surroundings.
Seahawks Announce Jersey Numbers for Jadarian Price, 2026 Draft Class
Set to kick off their two-day rookie minicamp on May 1, the Seattle Seahawks announced jersey numbers for their entire incoming rookie class, including signed undrafted free agents.
With few numbers to choose from due to 75 players already under contract before the 2026 NFL Draft, first round pick Jadarian Price will don No. 8 as he begins his NFL career in Seattle. His predecessor, Ken Walker III, wore No. 9 during his four seasons with the team, and second-round pick Bud Clark will wear that digit as the newest safety on coach Mike Macdonald’s defense.
Seahawks 2026 Draft Class Superlatives
The 2026 Seattle Seahawks draft class is in. John Schneider made his classic maneuvers and turned four original picks into eight total, like the classic Dai Vernon cups and balls magic routine.
Let’s break down this class of seven prospects using superlatives.
‘That’s My Bread and Butter’: Jadarian Price Eager to Bring Dynamic Skill Set to Seahawks’ Backfield
Like any incoming NFL hopeful, with consensus No. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza being the exception to the rule, Jadarian Price didn’t know where he would land once the 2026 NFL Draft kicked off on Thursday night.
But throughout the pre-draft process, the Seattle Seahawks stood out as an interested suitor for his talents, sending several coaches and scouts to South Bend for an extended look at Price’s pro day workout. Among those who met with him, Thomas Hammock, who had recently left his head coaching post at Northern Illinois to join Mike Macdonald’s staff as the new running back coach, hit it off with the explosive prospect.
Their conversation continued a few weeks later via Zoom, with Hammock making sure to remind Price of when his Huskies came into Notre Dame Stadium and pulled off the upset in 2024, joking with the young back that he would have given him the ball more to avoid the defeat.
Seahawks Bolster Backfield, Select Notre Dame RB Jadarian Price With 32nd Pick
With best player available and arguably the team’s biggest need converging for the second consecutive NFL Draft, the Seattle Seahawks wound up sticking and picking with their 32nd overall pick, landing dynamic Notre Dame running back Jadarian Price.
Seattle entered Thursday night with hopes of being able to trade down from No. 32, but several teams leap-frogged them back into the first round, including the New York Jets trading up for pick No. 30 and the Tennessee Titans moving up for pick No. 31, leaving no deal in place for general manager John Schneider to pull the trigger and land additional picks.
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.
Final Mock Draft: Seahawks Plug Immediate Holes, Keep Eyes on Future With Added Picks
After months of preparation for everyone from scouts to coaches to executives, the 2026 NFL Draft will finally kick off in Pittsburgh on Thursday, April 23, ushering in the latest crop of college talent jumping to the pros.
Still basking in the glow of a Super Bowl LX championship, general manager John Schneider, coach Mike Macdonald, and the Seattle Seahawks will roll into the annual event lacking much firepower to work with, as the team currently holds only four selections after trading away a fourth and fifth round pick for receiver Rashid Shaheed at the trade deadline last October. That’s quite the departure from the past three drafts where they built a championship foundation with 29 total picks, including 11 last spring.
Down to the final couple days before the first round kicks off with the Raiders on the clock, Schneider and company undoubtedly have already been working the phones looking for potential suitors to trade up for the 32nd overall pick to recoup a selection or two, planning ahead with hopes the dominos fall right to be able to slide down.
How will Seattle’s 17th draft under Schneider’s watch unfold? And how many picks will the Seahawks ultimately make on the heels of capturing the Lombardi Trophy two months ago?
Big Board: Ranking Top Running Back 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.
In the aftermath of winning Super Bowl LX MVP honors, Ken Walker III took advantage of his stock never being higher by signing a record-setting free agent contract for a running back with the Chiefs, leaving the Seahawks with major questions in the backfield. Aside from losing the speedy back, Zach Charbonnet underwent surgery to repair a torn ACL in February and likely will miss at least the first two months of the 2026 season, meaning the team will have to weather the storm early without their top two rushers from their title run with limited starting experience on the current roster.
Which ball carriers stand out as the best of the best for Seattle to potentially choose from?
Seahawks’ Desire to Boost Backfield Worst Kept Secret Heading Into 2026 NFL Draft
With a microphone in front of them, Seattle Seahawks general manager John Schneider and Mike Macdonald haven’t been shy voicing their confidence in a running back room that has drawn plenty of questions from outside the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Even after letting Ken Walker III leave for a record-setting free agent contract with the Kansas City Chiefs and choosing not to make any external additions aside from taking a one-year flier on former Green Bay Packers backup Emmanuel Wilson, with the knowledge Zach Charbonnet likely will miss at least half of the 2026 season recovering from a torn ACL, both members of Seattle’s brain trust have suggested critics may be overlooking the talent still remaining on the roster.
But while Schneider and Macdonald may be higher on Holani, Wilson, and the Seahawks’ current stable of backs than those who aren’t in the building, reading deeper into their comments in recent weeks and reported pre-draft visits, they’re also clearly looking for upgrades to help offset the impact of Walker’s exit and Charbonnet’s injury.
Analysis: Identifying Best Running Back Fits for Seahawks’ 2026 Draft Picks
Expectedly losing several key starters from their Super Bowl-winning squad in free agency, the Seattle Seahawks arguably took their greatest hit in the backfield with four-year starter Ken Walker III departing to join the Kansas City Chiefs on a three-year deal.
Losing Walker alone would have stung, but the Seahawks also face the prospects of being without Zach Charbonnet deep into the 2026 season after he suffered a torn ACL in a playoff win over the 49ers in January, leaving them without their top two rushers from a year ago. In the aftermath of the Super Bowl MVP’s departure, general manager John Schneider waited out the free agent market before eventually signing former Packers backup Emanuel Wilson, pairing him with returning reserves George Holani and Kenny McIntosh as the top three backs on the depth chart.
Based on recent comments from Schneider, Seattle may be more comfortable with that trio than others outside of the organization, ready to give Holani or McIntosh a more extended run while thrusting Wilson into the mix with the potential to be more than just a complementary power back. But with Charbonnet only having one season left on his rookie deal, even with the team having just four picks currently, tabbing a potential long-term starter in April’s draft feels like a strong possibility, if not a guarantee.
Looking at this year’s latest crop of backs, which runners stand out as the best potential fits to succeed Walker and/or add juice to the Seahawks’ stable of backs with each of their four selections?
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