The Seattle Seahawks entered the 2026 NFL draft, and even though that was probably enough to do what they needed to do, general manager John Schneider isn't the one to rest on his laurels. He made moves, struck deals, and left the event with eight new soldiers.
The defending Super Bowl champions found a replacement for the reigning Super Bowl MVP. Then they added two players with starting potential and rounded things out with depth pieces and rotational guys. It was a textbook and uneventful performance by Seattle.
However, that's not what the rest of the division can say. The NFC West made some head-scratching decisions, and all three divisional rivals wasted multiple opportunities to close the gap with the defending champions.
Ranking the Seattle Seahawks and NFC West teams draft performances
1. Seattle Seahawks
As mentioned, the Seahawks did what they needed to do. No fuzz, no pretty stuff, just getting straight to business. Jadarian Price will take Kenneth Walker III's spot, while Bud Clark and Julian Neal might sub in for Coby Bryant and Riq Woolen, respectively.
Other than Price, the Seahawks may not have taken anyone with star potential, but they didn't need that either. Clark is an older prospect, but he's another hybrid defender with a high defensive IQ. Neal isn't as fast as Woolen, but he might be one of the few cornerbacks who may actually be stronger.
Notably, Beau Stephen could pose a legitimate threat to Anthony Bradford at some point. Other than that, it should be business as usual for a team that could afford to be more intentional with every selection than everybody else in the league.
2. Arizona Cardinals
Admittedly, the Arizona Cardinals added a great player in Jeremiyah Love, the clear-cut RB1 in this class. They also landed one of the steals of the draft in Chase Bisontis, who should start opposite Isaac Seumalo right away.
That was pretty much it for Mike LaFleur's team. Taking Carson Beck in the third round may have been a reach, and even if that wasn't the case, he's not going to give them what they need. He'll be just good enough for them to pass on another prospect, thus remaining stuck in their mediocrity spiral for a while longer.
The Cardinals didn't address their glaring defensive flaws until they took Kaleb Proctor at No. 104. They also ignored that side of the field in free agency, which is a weird approach for a team that gave up 28.7 points per game last season, the fourth-most in the league.
3. San Francisco 49ers
The only reason the San Francisco 49ers aren't at the bottom of the standings is that the Rams somewhat managed to do worse. General manager John Lynch traded out of the first round to take De'Zhaun Stribling, a projected third-rounder, in the second round.
This team had some major needs on both sides of the trenches, yet they waited until the fourth round to add DT Gracen Halton and OT Carver Willis, neither of whom might take the field for meaningful snaps in 2026.
To make things even worse, they snatched Kaelon Blacks in the third round. He was RB13 ahead of the NFL Draft and may only have a rotational role behind Christian McCaffrey. Overall, the 49ers took eight guys, and none of them might be in the league by the time their rookie deals expire.
4. Los Angeles Rams
The Los Angeles Rams brought laughter in the first round. Taking Ty Simpson, a projected second-round selection, at No. 13 was impossible to justify, and Sean McVay's weird demeanor and statements after the first round only made it sweeter for the Seahawks.
They essentially took a guy who may not take the field for two years, then had his coach publicly say that he'd be lucky to be their backup. That doesn't help a team with an open Super Bowl window, especially with Makai Lemon and so many other win-now guys up for grabs.
The Rams then rounded things up by taking Max Klare -- yes, another tight end -- in Round 2 and then going with Kaegen Trost, CJ Daniels, and Tim Keenan III. Unless Daniels turns out to be another Puka Nacua -- which, admittedly, it's always a possibility with the Rams -- this was a horrible draft by Les Snead and company.
The Seahawks did their job. They controlled what they could, made sure to acquire more assets by simultaneously working the 2027 board, and took at least three NFL-ready guys who can make an immediate impact.
That should've been enough to make the fan base feel great about their team. However, watching the rest of the division shoot themselves in the foot over and over was a nice cherry on top of the Sundae for the defending champions.
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