NFL draft

Will Hawks draft for the future of the front four?

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This is the least important draft for the Seahawks since 2021. Other than running back, they have no roster holes for 2026 — and they are set to make a very strong run at a Super Bowl repeat.

But what about 2027 and beyond? That is where this draft comes in.

The Hawks have many questions after 2026 about their defensive front: Leonard Williams, Uchenna Nwosu and Derick Hall will be free agents, DeMarcus Lawrence is expected to retire and Jarran Reed likely will be released ahead of his age 34 season.

They need to figure out who will be playing around Byron Murphy II after 2026.

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NFL draft

Thibodeaux ‘a serious trade target’?

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With the draft now less than two weeks away, it is pretty clear the Seahawks are trying to figure out how to add a pass rusher who can get the “quick wins” Mike Macdonald wants.

They have brought in several guys for VMAC visits – led by speed rushers Cashius Howell and Malachi Lawrence.

But they also have been looking at all of the top cornerbacks who will be available in their draft zone. They might choose to take one of those first.

That brings us back to veteran pass rushers. We previously brought up the possibility of trading for either Minnesota’s Jonathan Greenard or the Giants’ Kayvon Thibodeaux.

The latest scuttlebutt is that the Seahawks have indeed called the Giants. Per an alleged Seahawks source to Dan Viens: Thibodeaux is “a serious trade target.”

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NFL draft

Looks like Hawks have all the right finalists for top pick

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If the Seahawks’ VMAC visits are any indicator – and they often are – it looks like John Schneider may indeed continue his excellent run of drafting.

We just pointed out this week that he has been pretty bad when drafting below 20 – too often reaching for guys. Schneider has explained his draft method as “picking for our team, not the league.” In other words, their big board is not the same as other teams’ or the consensus board of draft analysts.

Well, it sure looks like the Seahawks’ board matches consensus in this draft. With pass rushers Cashius Howell and Malachi Lawrence reportedly visiting, the Hawks have now reportedly hosted eight of the 13 players ranked 32-44 on the consensus board (via Mock Draft Database).

Seven of those players are edge rushers or cornerbacks, which aligns with what most of us think they need most (in addition to running back).

Here’s a look at the list (rankings from MDD) and then scouting reports from Daniel Jeremiah and Dane Brugler (via The Beast) for each one, with our own comments added.

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NFL draft

Time for Schneider to prove he can pick well from the bottom

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A lot of fans think John Schneider has suddenly gotten a lot better at drafting over the past four years. But that’s easy to say when he has been picking in the top 20. 

In two weeks, we will find out whether he has gotten any better when his first pick comes outside the top 20.

Over his 16 drafts as Seattle general manager, Schneider has drafted eight guys in the top 20 and made seven initial picks outside the top 20. (He has thrice traded his first-round picks for veterans.)

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Free agency, Schedule

Which 2026 opponents can beat the Hawks right now?

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A lot of people who are not really in the know think the Seahawks have taken a step back this offseason – because they didn’t make any major additions after losing their starting running back and free safety, their third corner and their fourth edge rusher.

But they added players at three of those positions to fill the gaps and still have three picks in the first two days of the draft to augment as well. Like every other team, the 2026 Seahawks are not complete.

Even as they stand now, though, the Hawks are good enough to beat every team in the NFL on the way to another Super Bowl. The Rams are the only team that some think are better, which is completely fair to say after the Rams addressed their major weakness by trading for cornerback Trent McDuffie and also signing fellow Chiefs cornerback Jalen Watson.

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NFL draft

What about offensive line on Day 2?

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With three weeks until the draft, most of the focus around the Seahawks is on getting them a cornerback and running back.

One position that is not being mentioned a lot for Seattle is offensive line. That’s because the Hawks have one of the best lines they have had during the John Schneider era. Of course it is all relative. This line was ranked 15th in the NFL last season by Pro Football Focus and 17th by Pro Football Network. Only the 2020 unit has ranked higher since 2010 (when Schneider became GM).

The Hawks obviously are locked in at the tackles and left guard for the next few years, which is great news. But center and right guard are positions that can be upgraded. Might the Hawks consider it, even with just four picks?

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Free agency, The roster

Macdonald: ‘We have to rebecome the team we are destined to be’

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“We’re a new team, and we have to rebecome the team that we’re destined to be.” – Mike Macdonald, sounding like Yoda at the owners meetings in Phoenix

Mike Macdonald channeled the wizened Jedi master when he told everyone that the Seahawks are “not defending anything” and need to “rebecome” a Super Bowl team all over again.

Macdonald offered some great team-rebuilding philosophy and also talked about various elements of his roster – among other things, saying he expects DeMarcus Lawrence back, looks forward to Rashid Shaheed’s growth in the offense and has high expectations for new and younger players.

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NFL draft

‘You can find’ running backs: Cheap Band-Aids or pay a bigger ‘Price’?

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“That’s a position that you can find guys.” — John Schneider on running backs   

Along with everyone else, we probably have been a little too caught up in how the Seahawks are going to replace both Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet in 2026.

A lot of mock drafts have them reaching for Notre Dame’s Jadarian Price at No. 32. Some fans have been wishing for a trade for Miami’s De’Von Achane or for Arkansas’ Mike Washington Jr. in the draft. We have suggested Chuba Hubbard as a cheaper trade option.

John Schneider said on his radio show last week that “you can find” running backs and they are still looking. This week has been proof of that with the Seahawks reportedly attending the Notre Dame Pro Day to see Price, hosting former Steelers first-rounder Najee Harris (recovering from a torn Achilles) and also bringing in a couple of rookie UDFA options on top-30 visits.

They are exploring all options.

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Contracts

Hawks quickly extend JSN — now signed for six years, $195M

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The Seahawks wasted no time in extending Jaxon Smith-Njigba, just days after picking up his 2027 option.

It’s a great deal for JSN — and probably an ever better deal for the Hawks.

The four-year extension reportedly is worth $168.6 million, a $42.15 million average that is being considered a new record for NFL wide receivers.

The Seahawks technically tore up the 2026 season as well — the last year of JSN’s rookie contract — so this deal in totality is for six years, $195.1 million. The Hawks are getting the 2025 Offensive Player of the Year for $32.5 million going forward.

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Contracts

Projecting the massive extensions coming for JSN & Spoon

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The last time the Seahawks did a market-setting deal with one of their superstars was in 2019, when Russell Wilson became the top-paid quarterback with a contract averaging $35 million and paying a record $65 million signing bonus.

Well, it’s that time again. The Hawks picked up fifth-year options for Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Devon Witherspoon on Friday – precursors to deals that should make them the highest-paid players at their positions.

The salary cap has jumped 60% since Wilson did his big deal, and the top receivers are now paid more than what he got while corners are over $30 million a year.

JSN – coming off a historic season (119 catches for 1,793 yards and 10 touchdowns) that merited the Offensive Player of the Year award — is expected to trump Ja’Marr Chase’s league-best $40.25 million average. Witherspoon figures to average a cornerback-best $32 million a year.

But there is a lot more to these kinds of deals, from the guarantees to the length to the structure.

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