Seahawks draft CB Julian Neal!

The Seahawks go double defensive back on day 2

With the 99th pick of the draft, after they traded down and added the last pick of the sixth round, the Seahawks selected cornerback Julian Neal.

This one is for Seaside Joe’s representative from the state of Arkansas, that’s you Charley Filipek!

Neal played four years at Fresno State (under former UW head coach Kalen DeBoer) prior to transferring to Arkansas in 2025. He is Dane Brugler’s 15th-ranked cornerback and he gives Mike Macdonald his second secondary addition of the day next to safety Bud Clark.

Neal has 33 1/4” arms on a 6’1, 203 lbs frame, a body that ran the 40-yard dash in 4.49 seconds. His 40” vertical and 11’02 broad jump is also impressive.

“Neal matches up well physically and plays to his size in different ways. He crowds receivers at the line, pins opponents against the sideline and contests catch points (when he finds the football) — you can see his receiver background in his ball skills and catch-point timing. He also shows his physicality when getting off blocks and working downhill as a tackler. He lacks suddenness in his mirroring footwork, however, and his technique tends to fall apart versus twitchy receivers.

Overall, Neal lacks top-shelf speed for easy recoveries, but he stands out with his length, ascending cover talent and ability to play the football from different angles. He has the potential to be an NFL starter for both man and zone teams.”

Seattle’s offseason at defensive back includes:

• Re-signing Josh Jobe for three years

• Parting with Riq Woolen

• Parting with Coby Bryant

• Drafting S Bud Clark

• Drafting CB Julian Neal

• Signing CB Noah Igbinoghene

• Signing S Rodney Thomas II

• Re-signing S D’Anthony Bell

The Seahawks look ahead to the next 12 months where more shifting in the secondary is expected, including contract extension negotiations with Devon Witherspoon, a decision to be made on the long-term future of Ty Okada, and possibly a second look at Julian Love’s contract as he gets near 30.

These two picks may or may not help Seattle significantly during the 2026 season but that’s what most of us said about Nick Emmanwori, who was expected to need more time to acclimate to the NFL to reach a Pro Bowl level, which was clearly not the case.

However, just two years ago the Seahawks drafted Nehemiah Pritchett (backup player competing for a role) and D.J. James (never made the team) without much results. Those were fifth and sixth round picks, but in this particular class there doesn’t seem to be much of a difference.

Clark and Neal will definitely make the roster. Given Mike Macdonald’s encouragement for heated competitions at every spot, they will have the chance to earn bigger roles than simply making the team.