2026 NFL Draft tracker: What Seahawks fans need 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 the team looks to run back last year’s dominance.

The reigning Super Bowl champions had the last pick (No. 32) in the first round, selecting Notre Dame’s Jadarian Price, largely considered the second-best running back in the current draft class, behind only fellow Fighting Irish teammate Jeremiyah Love.

Analysts say the selection fills a pressing roster need with the offseason departure of Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III, who left for the Kansas City Chiefs in free agency.

The 12s’ selection did not come as a major surprise. ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr., CBS Sports’ Tom Fornelli and FOX Sports’ Rob Rang all predicted the Seahawks would select Price in the first round.

“With Kenneth Walker III gone and Zach Charbonnet recovering from a torn ACL, Seattle needs more juice in the backfield,” NFL.com’s Adam Rank previously said. “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.”

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 had previously indicated they would be 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 earlier in the week.

Analysts say the Seahawks largely have two major needs to fill after running back: edge rusher and cornerback.

“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.”

Prior to Price taking the stage, Quarterback Fernando Mendoza heard his name first in the draft, as the Las Vegas Raiders used the No. 1 pick on the Heisman-winning quarterback out of Indiana.

David Bailey was selected by the New York Jets with the No. 2 pick, becoming the first Texas Tech player to be picked in the top five in the common draft era.

– The Seahawks selected Iowa guard Beau Stephens after moving up to get him at pick No. 148. To acquire the pick they used on Stephens, the team sent a 2027 fourth-round pick to the Cleveland Browns.
– In the sixth round, the 12s took Emmanuel Henderson Jr., a receiver out of Kansas.
– The Seahawks traded their No. 216 sixth-round pick to the Green Bay Packers in exchange for No. 236 (seventh-round) and No. 255 (seventh-round).
– Seahawks remaining 2026 draft picks: No. 236 (7th round), No. 242 (7th round), and No. 255 (7th round).

– selected TCU safety Bud Clark with their second-round pick
– traded their No. 96 third-round pick to the Pittsburgh Steelers in exchange for No. 99 (third-round) and No. 216 (sixth-round)
– selected Arkansas cornerback Julian Neal in the third-round 

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.

Editor’s note: 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 Friday and Thursday on the NFL Draft below.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.