When the Seattle Seahawks chose cornerback Julian Neal in the third round of the 2026 NFL draft, he had all the hats he needed but one. Literally. An unnamed cap company had sent him a hat for every NFL team except the one that ultimately took him. Maybe karma is real.
Neal posted a video on social media in which he explained the situation and said he felt he was going to be selected by his aunt's favorite team. The same aunt he asked to go buy him a Seahawks hat before that fateful third-round moment.
But now, Neal is ready to be over what happened a bit over a week ago, including his claim that Seattle would win back-to-back Super Bowls. He said as much while speaking with the media during rookie minicamp this past week, saying, literally, "That's old news."
Seattle Seahawks rookie cornerback Julian Neal is ready to move into his new role
He doubled down on that theory by adding, "I’m ready to give the fans something new to look forward to. I really want to bring it for the fans and for this organization and bring another Super Bowl."
What 12s should expect from the 6'2" and 2-5-pound cornerback is something quite different than the outgoing Riq Woolen. Woolen signed with the Philadelphia Eagles for one season after providing some, at times, sticky coverage for the Seahawks over the previous four seasons, and, most of the time, some terrible run defense.
What is clear about Neal is that he isn't afraid to impose his physical play on opponents. He doesn't just play the run because he knows the team will require him to do so, but he will be more than willing to set a hard edge and take down a ball-carrier with great rage. Neal's run defense will reflect more of Richard Sherman than Riq Woolen.
While the rookie was steady in coverage at Arkansas in 2025, allowing three touchdown passes, but intercepting two, and breaking up eight throws, he was elite against the run. Pro Football Focus (subscription required) assigned him an elite run-defense grade of 85.9.
The cornerback will earn the respect of the Seattle Seahawks coaching staff more quickly if he proves that he can be just as effective against the run now that he is in the NFL. He has enough speed to play tight coverage, though he will need to refine his technique so he doesn't get beat deep consistently, but Mike Macdonald is likely to give him real reps because of his physicality.
Julian Neal won't be expected to be a starter in Week 1, though he could be. Instead, that likely will be Josj Jobe and some mix of Devon Witherspoon and/or Nick Emmanwori, or both. If Neal stands out in training camp and the preseason, though, it will be difficult to keep him off the field.
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