Seattle Seahawks general manager John Schneider speaks at the NFL Scouting Combine. Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Seahawks Free Agency Moves Reveal Obvious Direction for NFL Draft

Originally posted on Seattle Seahawks on SI
By Jeremy Brener | Last updated Apr 2, 2026 6:03 PM ET

The Seattle Seahawks are trying to build another Super Bowl roster, but it won't be identical to the one they had this past season.

The Seahawks tried to retain as many of their players as possible and did so with wide receiver Rashid Shaheed being the biggest free agent name to return to the Seahawks. However, the team lost Coby Bryant to the Chicago Bears, Boye Mafe to the Cincinnati Bengals, Riq Woolen to the Philadelphia Eagles and Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III to the Kansas City Chiefs.

The Seahawks tried to patch up some of these losses by signing cornerback Noah Igbinoghene to replenish the loss in the secondary with Bryant and Woolen. The team also added Emanuel Wilson from the Green Bay Packers to aid the running back room. With just four picks in this month's NFL draft, the positions of need have never been more clear.

Running Back

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The Seahawks are in need of getting a running back into the building after losing Walker in free agency. Zach Charbonnet would be the natural next man up, but he is recovering from a torn ACL and will likely miss most of the season. Wilson could be part of the team's plans, but there's a higher likelihood that a rookie, potentially on day two of the NFL draft, could be the primary running back for the Seahawks next season.

Defensive Back

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A lot of cornerbacks have been linked to the Seahawks at the end of the first round, including Clemson's Avieon Terrell and Tennessee's Colton Hood . The Seahawks have Devon Witherspoon and Josh Jobe as starters with Nick Emmanwori coming in as the nickelback.

At safety, Julian Love and Ty Okada are expected to be the primary safeties, but there is also room for another player to come right in and help the group out.

Pass Rusher

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The Seahawks have Leonard Williams leading the way in the pass rush room, but the Seahawks are going to need more than just that in order to get after the quarterback. Mafe takes 31 tackles and two sacks with him to see Cincinnati, so Seattle is going to need to add some depth at the position, potentially on day two or with their sixth-round pick.