Coby Bryant left the Seattle Seahawks in free agency this offseason and signed with the Chicago Bears. No hard feelings, as the NFL is a business, and players are in it to make a lot of money. On the field, though, general manager John Schneider might need to find a long-term replacement for Bryant.
Ty Okada might have a chance to do that, but the current Seahawks safety hasn't ever entered a season as the presumed starter. He hasn't even been counted on to get meaningful reps other than in 2025. Schneider and head coach Mike Macdonald might want to get reinforcements in the draft, and that could come in the person of A.J. Haulcy.
The LSU product definitely has Seattle's interest. He was among the pre-draft visits the team had with prospects. Haulcy also plays like someone that Macdonald would love to have in his defensive backfield.
Seattle Seahawks might be eyeing A.J. Haulcy to replace Coby Bryant
The safety is 6-feet and 222 pounds and has been timed in the 40-yard dash at 4.52, quite solid for a player at his position. Even better, Chad Reuter of the NFL's official website says that Haulcy "hits like a bag of concrete." In other words, when he makes a tackle, opponents feel it.
While the safety is good against the run, much in the same way that Bryant was (the outgoing safety is a fluid mover, has good technique, though his strength wasn't necessarily playing downhill), he is also a ball-hawk against the pass. In his last two seasons in college, he had a combined eight interceptions while allowing just three touchdowns.
A.J. Haulcy's strength is in pass coverage. He might lose ground at times against exceedingly speedy wide receivers, but most defensive backs to. The key will be mastering the technique that Mike Macdonald wants, and Macdonald is arguably the best safety whisperer in the NFL.
With the Baltimore Ravens, he helped turn Kyle Hamilton into a First-Team All-Pro. With the Seattle Seahawks, Macdonald helped mold Coby Bryant from a failed slot corner into a safety, the kind that could leave in free agency and sign a three-year deal worth as much as $40 million, which Bryant did with Chicago this offseason.
In 2025, rookie defensive back Nick Emmanwori, who mostly played safety in college, was able to adapt quickly to Macdonald's direction and become a versatile DB who was among the best first-year defensive players in the NFL in 2025.
That is the kind of path that Haulcy could follow, too. He might not have the raw athleticism that Emmanwori has (few players do), but he does offer some positional flexibility. Mike Macdonald will use that and get the best out of the player.
Even better, Haulcy could fall into the second round of the draft. Safeties aren't as highly valued as cornerbacks overall, so if the Seahawks do trade back out of the first round, Haulcy might still be available in the second round when Seattle is ready to choose. That would be a win-win for all involved.
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