The Las Vegas Raiders will select Fernando Mendoza with the first pick in the upcoming NFL draft. After that, all bets are off. For a team like the Seattle Seahawks, choosing last in round one, projecting who will be available and who they might prefer is virtually impossible.
But that doesn’t stop us all from trying. In the wake of the recently-completed NFL Scouting Combine, mock drafts have been showing up all over the place – kind of the way Nick Emmanwori plays defense. They mostly juggle the same players in the top ten, then begin bouncing in and out – kind of the way K9 runs those delays. (OK, I’ll stop with the forced similes.)
However, one thing virtually all of these mocks agree on is this – the Seahawks will be looking for a cornerback at 32. There’s sound logic here. Devon Witherspoon is the only reliable corner still under contract once the league year turns over later this month.
Josh Jobe and Riq Woolen could depart via free agency, leaving Nehemiah Pritchett as the second most accomplished perimeter defender. John Schneider is not beginning 2026 like that.
Seattle Seahawks will have options at 32, and here’s one they should prioritize
Schneider could opt to pick up a corner or two in free agency, assuming he loses both Jobe and Woolen. But any such move would likely be for some decent veteran depth. If he is spending big this offseason, it is coming on offense.
Besides, the Seahawks’ GM has a proven record of preferring to build through the draft. And this is looking like a decent year for corners. Not elite, but solid.
Right now, there are really only two first-round locks – LSU’s Mansoor Delane and Tennessee’s Jermond McCoy. It doesn’t matter which you have first and which you have second; they will be off the board by the time Seattle picks.
After that, there is a group of about a half dozen prospects who will probably go late in round one or somewhere in the second. I took a quick look at ten post-Combine mocks to see who the Seahawks are being linked with, and there is a clear consensus.
South Carolina’s Brandon Cisse, who transferred in after Emmanwori left for the pros, was the choice in four of the mocks. Tennessee’s Colton Hood showed up in three. The other three mocks were split between another corner (Clemson’s Avieon Terrell), a running back, and a trade out of the first round altogether.
I think both Cisse and Hood are promising. I have a feeling Cisse will be gone by 32, but there will still be a lot of talent available. If that’s the way the board shakes out, I think that trade-back idea makes a lot of sense. The player I would be targeting in that scenario is San Diego State’s Chris Johnson.
Johnson was already in that second tier of prospects, projected to go somewhere in round two by most scouts. He is coming off an eye-opening combine, which may push him up a bit. Quite frankly, I would strongly consider taking him at 32. But I think Schneider could afford to drop back into the late 30s and still get the Aztec star.
Johnson’s combine numbers were outstanding. He measured 6’0”, 193 pounds, and ran a very good 4.40 40-yard dash. He showed good acceleration. His vertical and broad jump, along with his bench press, all showed above-average athleticism.
More important than any numbers, he moved very well in drills. This confirms what he showed on the field, especially in his senior year. Johnson was a special teamer as a true freshman, then worked his way up to become an elite defensive talent.
In his senior year, he turned into a genuine ball hawk, picking off four passes and returning two for touchdowns.
Best of all, Johnson will be able to step right into Mike Macdonald’s system. He not only has good experience and demonstrates a good understanding of coverage schemes, but he also excels in zone, which Macdonald often employs. However, he also has the size and speed to stick with NFL receivers when matched up.
Just about the only thing that is concerning about Johnson is arm length. We hear this more with edge rushers and offensive tackles, but it can be an issue for corners, particularly in contested catch situations.
So it would be nice if Chris Johnson had longer arms. But he doesn’t. He is still an excellent, versatile player who can line up outside or in the slot, can play man or zone, and can make tackles.
There are other quality prospects at corner for John Schneider and Mike Macdonald to consider. But assuming he doesn’t rise up too much higher in the weeks ahead, Chris Johnson – either at 32 or after a minor trade-back – would be an excellent addition to the Seahawks' secondary.