After free agency, the Seattle Seahawks remain as one of the NFL's best teams, if not the best, and going into next season, they'll assuredly be tabbed as Super Bowl repeat contenders. That said, the 2026-27 NFL season is still months away, and the draft is coming up fast, so first things first.
Given the losses the Seahawks took in free agency, especially on defense, it is expected that team general manager John Schneider will look to fill some of those holes with draft picks. The Seahawks have four picks and will need to use them wisely. Of course, Schneider has a proven track record of successful draft selections, and the Seahawks will be in good hands.Â
Still, with only four picks, it's the league's fewest among all 32 teams. Considering the Seahawks do have to do some major replacing, especially at running back, Seattle is a prime candidate to do some shifting around in the draft, and an NFL insider with ESPN is predicting exactly that.Â
ESPN's Feild Yates predicts the Seahawks use their 32nd pick to get greater value in the draft
Seattle's four picks in question are a first-rounder (No. 32 overall), a second-rounder (No. 64), a third-rounder (No. 96), and a sixth-rounder (No. 188). The possibility of trading out of the first round to get their hands on more picks is very likely, according to Yates.Â
"But the Seahawks are a sensible pick for two obvious reasons," Yates writes. "They enter the draft with a league-low four selections and can offer the 32nd pick to another team that wants to secure a fifth year of a contract for a prospect."
Even with the 32nd pick in the first round, that selection can still land any team a solid player, and the Seahawks could greatly benefit from it. That said, considering they have just three picks after that one, it does make sense to trade the 32nd pick in for greater value; more picks.
Considering that the brunt of Seattle's free agent losses occurred on the defensive side of the ball, they have great needs at cornerback and edge as far as depth is concerned. As it stands, the Seahawks have their two starting cornerbacks in place with Devon Witherspoon and Josh Jobe, but their depth at that position is extremely thin, with only Nehemiah Pritchett on the roster.Â
The same can be said for Seattle's safety group. Julian Love, Nick Emmanwori, and Ty Okada are in place, but that's all for now. Defensive depth is a priority in this draft for the Seahawks, never mind seeking a replacement at running back on offense.Â
Giving up their 32nd pick might be the Seahawks' best chance, as far as the greater good of the team is concerned; addressing their needs can be done more efficiently with more picks in their pocket. The trade for Rashid Shaheed was a good move by Schneider, but it cost the Seahawks fourth- and fifth-round picks, which is why the Seahawks are where they are in the draft this year.
That said, Schneider clearly has no regrets in giving up those picks; Shaheed was worth it, and proven more so by the three-year deal the Seahawks just gave him. Schneider will do what's best for the Seahawks, whether that means trading down or standing pat. Either way, he's shown Seahawks fans he can be trusted, and there's no reason to start doubting that now.