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 new players, like the classic Dai Vernon cups and balls magic routine.
Let’s break down this class of eight prospects using superlatives:
Most “Seahawky” Prospect- Julian Neal, CB, Arkansas
The Seahawks lost Riq Woolen to the Philadelphia Eagles in free agency this offseason. That meant a 6-4 cornerback with unmatched length in the league with four years of starting experience was leaving the building, leaving a large void. While Neal doesn’t quite have the Avatar-like length of Woolen, his 6-2 frame and 32 ¾-inch arms both rank north of the 80th percentile among cornerbacks.
Neal seems to be the perfect blend of a Pete Carroll-era Seahawk cornerback and one that fits with Mike Macdonald. Carroll loved corners with Richard Sherman-like length, which Neal has. Macdonald loves corners who can be fierce against the run, laying the wood and being unafraid of contact.
If you’ve ready any quotes from Neal himself, you know that’s a big part of his game.
Most Energizing Prospect- Bud Clark, S, TCU
If your first introduction to Bud Clark was during his press conference during the NFL Combine, that’s all you need to know. He was bouncy, energetic, personable, and just oozed a passion for life. He was born “code blue” as a baby, meaning he required resuscitation upon birth. His family, and himself, have parlayed that into a passion for life itself and a mature perspective on life.
Putting on the tape, Clark brings that infectious energy with him onto the field. He played all over the secondary for the Horned Frogs, from box safety, slot/nickel corner, and as a centerfielder-type free safety. Given his versatility and high motor, he seems like a fantastic replacement for Coby Bryant.
Best Scheme Fit- Beau Stephens, G, Iowa
When news came down that the Seahawks had swapped a fourth rounder from next year to move into the fifth round, that spoke volumes about how they valued this prospect. It made even more sense when it was revealed to be Stephens, the interior lineman from Iowa. Schneider was “pretty surprised” that Stephens was still available 148 picks into the draft.
Stephens is a classic Iowa zone-blocking technician. In Seattle’s offense under new offensive coordinator Brian Fleury, that will be a huge asset. The former Hawkeye has a strong grasp of angles, tempo, timing, balance, and finishing blocks. He was a Brian Fleury and offensive line coach John Benton draft pick, for sure.
Most Likely to Make the Earliest Impact- Jadarian Price, RB, Notre Dame
This one feels like cheating, since Price was Seattle’s first round selection. But it’s likely true. Sure, the coaching staff has not come out and said “Price is our RB1,” but he will have ample opportunity to earn a significant share of the carries early in the 2026 season. He ranks fifth in betting odds for NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.
George Holani and Emanuel Wilson will certainly get their fair share of snaps. But the Seahawks took Price 32nd overall to make an early impact during their Super Bowl window, as they go for the repeat.
Most Likely to Become a Special Teams Ace- Emmanuel Henderson Jr., WR, Kansas
At 6-1 with a 4.44 40 time in his repertoire, the Seahawks will certainly try and find the right place for Henderson Jr. Both the Seahawks coaching staff and Henderson Jr. himself have discussed his possible impact on special teams.
For the Jayhawks, Henderson Jr. played plenty of special teams and made an impact. He certainly looks like a player, given his size and speed, that special teams coach Jay Harbaugh can turn into a weapon. He also returned kicks for Kansas, including running a 94-yarder back for a score against West Virginia.
The Most “Raw with Traits” Prospect- Andre Fuller, CB, Toledo
Over the last decade-plus, if you give the Seahawks a “raw cornerback with elite traits,” that usually turns out well. At 6-1, Fuller posses ideal length for the modern corner. Seattle certainly knows how to turn those guys into productive NFL defenders with the right molding clay.
With the Rockets, Fuller tallied nine pass breakups and 2.5 tackles for loss in his first season as a starter in 2025. Along the way, he display rerouting skills and run support toughness. He played outside corner, nickel, and even some safety at Toledo. Most importantly for this season, he also contributed on special teams, a pathway for him to see the field early as he keeps developing on defense.
Most Likely to Need a Redshirt Year- Deven Eastern, DT, Minnesota
When you look up “things with their own gravitational pull,” Eastern might appear in there somewhere. At 6-5, 315 pounds, with long arms (34") and an 82 ½-inch wingspan, Eastern is not short on size and bulk. He has a high-cut build and below-average pad level, which leads to balance issues, getting washed or ending up on the ground too often. Thus, he is not a perfect prospect.
However, at that size, and the nature of his position as a nose tackle, Eastern deserved a flyer. This year, Seattle has a strong, deep defensive line. Yet, the future is uncertain with several short-term contracts now. Eastern needs coaching and development. This is the perfect situation for him to have a “redshirt year” in the NFL. Sit back and develop while mingling with the best defensive line in the NFL and see what he can become in 2027 and beyond.
Biggest Question Mark- Michael Dansby, CB, Arizona
We don’t have a ton of offseason testing data on Dansby, as he was recovering from a core muscle injury. However, his “play speed” is noticeable, even if it isn’t quite as fast as the 4.25 40-yard dash he claimed to have ran in training this spring. He has a compact build with explosiveness.
However, Dansby’s length and size is questionable compared to the other three defensive backs the Seahawks drafted this weekend. While him being a seventh round pick is very low-risk, he has a long hill to climb to make this roster and speed will have to be a real difference maker for him.
