3 things the draft told us about the Seahawks plans
When will the Seahawks add an edge rusher?
Let’s just jump right into it.
Seahawks don’t trust running back depth
A month before the draft, John Schneider downplayed the need at running back by saying that “it’s a position that you can find guys”, which first led to the signing of former Packers running back Emanuel Wilson and included a meeting with free agent Najee Harris.
But Schneider was implying that the Seahawks would not use a premium pick a on a running back, which is exactly what they did by drafting Jadarian Price at the end of the first round.
If that was a smokescreen, it makes sense to say that because he was afraid that teams would see Seattle as the first checkpoint for Price and try to trade ahead of the Seahawks.
Nevertheless, drafting Price at 32 proves beyond a doubt that Schneider sees Seattle’s other running backs as backups and nothing more.
On Wilson, Schneider said that he gives Seattle something different “at 230 lbs with great feet” and that he is on a “prove-it” contract. On George Holani, Schneider reiterated that he did a “great job” last season.
"George is one of those guys that just does everything really well," Schneider said on Thursday. "He catches the ball, pass protection, doesn't put the ball on the ground, really good instincts and he's a true pro. Like, he's just got a great personality."
On Kenny McIntosh, Schneider highlighted his 2024 season when McIntosh averaged 5.5 yards per carry on 31 attempts. And on Zach Charbonnet, he said that he was “doing great” in his rehab. Even Cam Akers is a player Schneider said he had been trying to get for the last couple of years.
But if the Seahawks felt that one or two of these running backs could start for a year or two, would Seattle have drafted a first rounder right now?
As Schneider just said, “you can find guys”. He found at least seven guys before the draft and he still took Price in the first round.
So what is Price here to do? He’s on the Seahawks to start in Week 1 because Schneider doesn’t actually have faith that any of the backs he was shouting out a month ago give Seattle the vision, burst, and feet to be the team’s first/second down runner next season.
This was not a long-term move. It’s a right now move and Price is the Seahawks starting running back RIGHT NOW.
My first inclination is Price starts, McIntosh and Holani compete for third downs, Wilson is short yardage, Akers is on the practice squad, and Charbonnet returns late in the season.
Secondary players are expendable
This sounds more harsh than it is actually meant to be but for Mike Macdonald’s secondary it’s almost like asking the question, “Who is more valuable: Jim Henson or The Muppets?”
The creator or his creation?
Although the Seahawks extended Josh Jobe for three more years, he might just have extremely lucky timing. Seattle would have needed to add a cornerback with Tariq Woolen also hitting free agency, so why not bring back Jobe when he already understands the assignment? His contract is also team-friendly.
Aside from Jobe, the Seahawks parted with Coby Bryant and Woolen, going much cheaper in the secondary with Noah Igbinoghene and Rodney Thomas II; both players make under $2 million.
Then on day two of the draft, Schneider picked safety Bud Clark and cornerback Julian Neal. On day three, two more defensive backs in corners Andre Fuller and Michael Dansby.
It’s not that starters could be easily replaced, but the schematic/coaching advantage that Macdonald has brought to the Ravens and Seahawks means that in the secondary VALUE is better than STAR POWER.
—Julian Love’s cap hit doubles in 2026 from $6.1m to $12.8m, then goes to $15.2m in 2027
—Ty Okada’s cheap years run out after 2026 if he’s good again
—Devon Witherspoon is up for a mega-extension
With those being said, Love is in the most precarious position because he’ll be 29 and carry a top-10 cap hit at safety. Earl Thomas and Kam Chancellor both played their final Seahawks seasons at age 29. Quandre Diggs was 30. Jamal Adams was 28. Bradley McDougald was 29.
It’s not that Bud Clark will just walk in and replace someone like Julian Love next year. It’s that the MESSAGE of the offseason is that the Seahawks see Mike Macdonald as their own personal muppetpaster.
Seahawks don’t feel on EDGE
If Schneider was really going to force a need on Thursday, the Seahawks would have drafted their highest-rated edge rusher over Price.
No matter how bad you might think Seattle’s situation is at running back, the chance to find an edge rusher is too important and the Seahawks haven’t drafted once since Derick Hall in 2023. This marks three straight drafts without picking an edge rusher.
The Seahawks were clearly not as high on these edge rushers who they passed on as some analysts were:
T.J. Parker went 35th
R Mason Thomas went 40th
Cashius Howell went 41st
Derrick Moore went 44th
Zion Young went 45th
Gabe Jacas went 55th
Seattle scouted these players and decided that none of them would make Schneider regret his decision to take a running back with under 300 carries in college.
In drafting Bud Clark at 64, the Seahawks passed over Keyron Crawford, Romello Height, and Jaishawn Barham.
Then on day three, the Seahawks kept adding more picks but only drafted one front-seven player, defensive tackle Deven Eastern.
The edge and linebacker positions look great for Seattle going into 2026—this is all but the same defense that won the Super Bowl minus Boye Mafe—but looking one year ahead the Seahawks don’t have a clear succession plan for DeMarcus Lawrence, Uchenna Nwosu, or Hall (a pending free agent).
One obvious reason is that Macdonald/Schneider see Derick Hall as being a better “prospect” than any of the edges they didn’t draft. Which is also probably true.
In fact, Hall is the same age as first round pick Akheem Mesidor. Seattle’s coaches have also been working with Jared Ivey and Connor O’Toole since last year, hoping for an undrafted miracle.
But even if all those plans fail, veteran edge rushers have a harder time with commitment than some NFL head coaches.
Just this weekend, Jonathan Greenard was traded for third round picks. By 2027, edge rushers like Maxx Crosby, Myles Garrett, T.J. Watt, or Brian Burns could definitely be filling out a change of address.
There are definitely options out there. Schneider just didn’t feel like the 2026 draft had any enticing ones.
Schneider is always saying glowing words about players on the roster and off the roster. DK, Geno, K9, but in many cases he’s just not going to tell you how he really feels. Did he think they had RB1A on the roster? It certainly came across that way, but in reality he feels he has several RB1Bs on the roster. Charbs might only be an RB1b when he comes back, IF he comes back this year. From his day 1 draft press conference it sounded as if Price was higher on his board than anyone else available. Colton Hood, McDonald. I believed he was looking for a trade back into the late thirties for a 4th round pick AND Price. Many of those teams had already moved up and he had no partner in that safe range. He got his #1 target, but slightly higher than he’d hoped. The downside is he didn’t get the extra 4th round pick for Stephens and needed to dip into 2027 draft capital.
I hope Ivey or O’Toole step up and take Mafe’s place. But I wouldn’t be surprised to see Fowler in camp very shortly. If he’s mostly the same player as last year, he’s capable of replacing Mafe’s snaps with very little fall off in quality and he won’t break the bank.
With improved play from last year’s rookies and 2nd year players, the 53 could be better than ever. With this year’s draft and almost all of the ready squad signed back from last year, the 70 man roster /ready squad is deeper than ever. 14 wins is the floor for us this year. Without major injuries, we could win every game. Buckle up for the ride! As Jackie Gleason use to say, “How sweet it is!”
In MM and JS we trust. Regarding all else, we do not care…