If the Seattle Seahawks had one big hole entering the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft, it was at running back. Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III left via free agency, and presumptive heir Zach Charbonnet is recovering from a serious knee injury.
General manager John Schneider addressed the issue by getting the consensus second-best running back in the draft – Notre Dame’s Jadarian Price with the final pick in the first round.
It appears as if Schneider would have preferred to trade back and pick up an additional pick or two. Price was likely to remain on the board at least partway through the second round. But Schneider did not find a deal to his liking, and he was not willing to risk waiting until the 64th pick, which is the next time Seattle is scheduled to choose.
The best available prospects likely to be on the board for the Seattle Seahawks in round two
So he grabbed his runner and will move forward, knowing he has addressed a major need.
So what comes next? Of course, Schneider may double down on offense with a good receiving prospect or interior lineman, but it seems more likely that he will turn his attention to the Seahawks bread and butter – the defense.
Seattle lost free agents at edge rusher (Boye Mafe), cornerback (Riq Woolen), and safety (Coby Bryant) this offseason. A lot of speculation has centered around those positions. Fortunately, there figure to be plenty of promising prospects when Schneider’s pick comes up at the end of the second round. The leading candidates include the following.
Derrick Moore, Edge, Michigan
If Mike Macdonald and Aden Durde are looking for someone to step into Mafe’s shoes, Moore fits the bill. He has the length and the size that Seattle covets in its edge rushers. At almost 6’4", 255 pounds, he can take on NFL linemen and set edges against the run, while his pass-rushing skills have continued to improve during his time at Michigan.
One of Mafe’s overlooked stats was his win rate in pass rush situations. His sack total was down in 2025, but he was in the top ten in applying fast pressure. Moore has shown the ability to do just that, leading the Big 10 in pressure rate last season.
As part of a rotation with proven edges like DeMarcus Lawrence, Uchenna Nwosu, and Derick Hall, Moore would seem to be the ideal depth piece who could grow into a larger role over time.
Dani Dennis-Sutton, Edge, Penn State
Dennis-Sutton looks the part of a dominant edge rusher as much as any prospect in this year’s draft. He has impressive size and length. He was very productive in the Big 10, piling sacks and tackles-for-loss. And though he primarily lined up outside in college, he shows the ability to move around the line, something the Seahawks generally value.
Scouts have questioned Dennis-Sutton’s burst and agility, fearing that he plays too tall and relies on sheer power as a pass rusher. He will need to refine his technique to have success at the NFL level.
However, the 6.9 three-cone drill time he put up at the combine was an indication of untapped potential. That is a borderline elite time – the equivalent of what players like Micah Parsons can do. Learning from vets like DeMarcus Lawrence and Leonard Williams could be just the recipe for unlocking that potential.
Treydan Stukes, DB, Arizona
Stukes has been quietly rising on many draft boards over the past month. He would seem to offer Seattle exactly what it most covets in defensive backs. Versatility. He played both on the perimeter and in the slot for Arizona, and some scouts project his best position as safety in the NFL. That sounds an awful lot like another Coby Bryant.
He has the size and smarts to thrive in the middle of the field, and he has the straight-line speed to cover a lot of ground. Most importantly, Stukes can play the run or the pass equally well.
He may function best in zone schemes, which is what Seattle tends to favor, but he has also shown some ability in man coverage. He is the classic chess piece that creative defensive coordinators can employ in a variety of ways.
D’Angelo Ponds, CB, Indiana
I am already on record as saying this is the player John Schneider should grab at the end of round two. Once you come to terms with the fact that Ponds stands just 5’9,” everything else about him screams “Seahawk.”
He is tough, smart, and a natural leader. Curt Cignetti does not designate team captains, but all you really need to know is that Ponds was one of the players he brought with him from James Madison when he came to Bloomington in 2024.
Ponds responded with consecutive All-American seasons and was an integral part of the Hoosiers first national championship. Replacing the tall rangy Riq Woolen with Ponds may seem like an odd transition, but in this case, height and talent have little to do with each other. D’Angelo Ponds is a baller, and he would be an excellent addition to Seattle’s talented secondary.
Just as there was a chance that John Schneider would trade out of the first round to acquire additional picks, there is a decent chance he will explore similar possibilities as the end of round two approaches, especially if several of these prospects remain in play.
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