The Seattle Seahawks didn't get long to celebrate their Super Bowl victory. Less than a month after the historic win, it's already time to start building the roster out for 2026.
Needless to say, this is already a talented roster, especially on defense. But there is one position on that side of the ball that Seattle will likely look to upgrade this offseason. The unit lacked a reliable second outside cornerback for much of the year.
Riq Woolen is set to hit free agency, so the Seahawks will need to address the position through free agency or the draft. FanSided's Cody Williams had Seattle taking South Carolina cornerback Brandon Cisse in the first round of his latest mock draft. For reasons both good and bad, the young prospect is as similar to Woolen as any in this class.
Seattle Seahawks find Riq Woolen replacement in 2026 NFL mock draft
The Seahawks have some needs to address on offense, too. They'll likely look to add another interior offensive lineman and perhaps a receiver this offseason. But this mock draft has Seattle building out their stronger side of the ball with the addition of Cisse.
Williams backs up the pick, saying, "The lack of depth in the interior offensive line class leads me to believe we'll see Mike Macdonald push to help his side of the ball, especially with Riq Woolen likely out in Seattle. Brandon Cisse is one of the best pure athletes in the draft class and, while he's not as adept in man coverage right now as he is when dropping into zone, he'd be going to the right place to maximize his tools, be a great run defender on the outside, and eventually develop into a stalwart for the Super Bowl champs."
At first, the analysis sounds a whole lot like the breakdown of Woolen as a prospect. Both players are incredibly athletic, but they lack the instincts and technical ability to step in as top-tier coverage players.
Clearly, it didn't work out for Woolen and the Seahawks. After an impressive rookie campaign, he hasn't been able to meet expectations. But it could be different with Cisse. With years of development under Mike Macdonald, the South Carolina prospect could become an elite defensive back.
He certainly has all of the physical tools necessary to do so. If that pick did turn out to be a success, the Seahawks' defense would become unbeatable.