The Seattle Seahawks have a few minor needs to be addressed in the 2026 NFL draft. Some might say the team has a loaded roster, which it does, clearly, and the needs are none, but this isn't the case for any team. Improvement is always possible, even for a Super Bowl champion.
This is especially true as Seattle lost edge rusher Boye Mafe and running back Kenneth Walker, among others. Both of those spots now need replacements that weren't seemingly addressed in free agency. A potential draft target who could eventually take Mafe's lost reps is Texas A&M's Cashius Howell.
Seattle is certainly interested. Howell was one of up to 30 visits the Seahawks chose to have with prospects in the upcoming draft. Whether the Seahawks were impressed isn't truly known, but one can assume so. As for the player, Howell recently raved about his visit to the Pacific Northwest.
Seattle Seahawks draft target Cashius Howell "blown away" by the team
Speaking to Kay Adams on her Up & Adams podcast, the edge rusher said, "Honestly, I was blown away. Based on some of the things that the coaches were saying and kind of the culture that they were trying to, or not trying to, but have already established in the locker room and just throughout the facilities, it makes sense as to why they win Super Bowls and that they’re always consistently just having great seasons."
Howell hit on a few things that might help him acclimate to the NFL more quickly and lead to high-end success. One is the team's culture, and he would be joining a veteran group of edge rushers who could help him grow.
While Seattle lost Mafe, the team still has Uchenna Nwosu and DeMarcus Lawrence, as well as ascending fourth-year pro Derick Hall. That is a lot of wise voices to help give Howell some guidance should he be taken by the team.
The other key bit is how Howell noticed how the organization is run. General manager John Schneider is a huge believer in a prospect treating all people who work for the team, from players and coaches to the janitorial staff, with respect. If a player doesn't, they won't become Seattle Seahawks.
Based on what Cashius Howell told Kay Adams, he agrees with that approach. The other big question is how much he could help Seattle win games on the field, of course.
In terms of quarterback pressure, the 6'2" and 250-pound player should have some early success. He was consistently good in college in that aspect. How well he plays against the run soon into his career is unknown.
He might need to gain some muscle mass, and he needs slightly better technique setting the edge against the run. If he is chosen by Schneider, the quickest way for Howell to get playing time is to prove to head coach Mike Macdonald that he can play the run well. The rest will take care of itself.
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