Seahawks 2026 draft picks: What to know

SEATTLE — While the Seattle Seahawks are not in prime position for the 2026 NFL draft, the team has plenty of roster needs to fill, making this week crucial as it looks to run back last year’s dominance.

The reigning Super Bowl champions have the last pick (No. 32) in the first round. 

The Seahawks currently have only four total picks — those in the first three rounds, as well as Cleveland’s sixth-rounder (No. 188), which they received in a 2024 trade that sent center Nick Harris and a seventh-round pick to the Browns. 

Seattle traded its fourth- and fifth-round picks to the Saints in exchange for receiver and return specialist Rashid Shaheed, while its original sixth-round pick went to Jacksonville in 2024 in exchange for defensive lineman Roy Robertson-Harris.

Team officials have previously indicated they’re willing to potentially give up their first-rounder for additional draft flexibility.

“It’s no secret with us, we have four picks, so we’ll be looking to move back,” President John Schneider said in a recent press conference.

Analysts say the Seahawks largely have three major needs to fill: edge rusher, cornerback and running back. The latter position has felt especially vacant with the recent departure of Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III, who left for the Kansas City Chiefs in free agency.

“The Seahawks could retain their first-round slot given their needs at cornerback, edge rusher and running back,” said Pro Football Focus’ Bradley Locker. “But John Schneider has made at least eight picks in each of the last four years — and Seattle currently owns just four.”

Analysts largely do not consider the Seahawks to be in contention for the draft’s top running back prospect, Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love, who has a chance to end a seven-year drought of running backs going in the top five of the draft.

However, fellow Fighting Irish alum Jadarian Price is considered the second top running back prospect, giving the 12s a chance at potentially replacing Walker Thursday night.

“With Kenneth Walker III gone and Zach Charbonnet recovering from a torn ACL, Seattle needs more juice in the backfield,” said NFL.com’s Adam Rank. “The Seahawks could look to address the position later in the draft, but to me, getting Jadarian at No. 32 would be a reasonable — wait for it — Price to pay.”

ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr., CBS Sports’ Tom Fornelli and FOX Sports’ Rob Rang all credited the Seahawks with selecting Price in the first round.

The first round begins at 5 p.m. PT on Thursday, April 23 and will air on NFL Network, ABC, ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes.

Seattle Seahawks’ 2026 Draft Picks: Round 1, No. 32; Round 2, No. 64; Round 3, No. 96; Round 6, No. 188 (from Cleveland).

Draft prospects with ties to Washington state include Olaivavega Ioane, who attended Graham-Kapowsin High School in Graham and is now a guard at Penn State; and Denzel Boston, who attended Emerald Ridge High School in South Hill/Puyallup and is now a wide receiver at Washington.

Top prospects include Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, who is widely expected to go No. 1 overall to the Raiders. Previously mentioned Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love, as well as Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey and Ohio State linebackers Sonny Styles and Arvell Reese, are also projected as early first-round picks.

This article will be updated live with news and pick selections.

KING 5 launched the Ultimate Seattle Sports Show this week. The show features veteran sports anchors Paul Silvi and Chris Egan, who share in-depth analysis and opinions on the biggest stories of the day. Watch additional coverage from Thursday on the NFL Draft below.