Experts weigh in on who they think we will take in the 1st round

[D-train]

NFL mock drafts address Seahawks’ needs after free-agency losses
March 19, 2026 at 6:00 am Updated March 19, 2026 at 6:01 am

Bob Condotta By Bob Condotta
Seattle Times staff reporter
The first phase of the NFL’s free agent signing period made clear the Seahawks’ needs in the draft to offset some departures:

A running back to help replace Kenneth Walker III.
A safety to help replace Coby Bryant.
A pass rusher to help replace Boye Mafe.
A cornerback to help replace Riq Woolen.
Otherwise, the Seahawks return every starter or key rotational player from the team that won the Super Bowl last month.

Those apparent needs are reflected in the latest batch of mock drafts that have all been published in the past week. The Seahawks have the final pick (No. 32 overall) in the first round.

Here’s a look, with a few my comments:

Mel Kiper, ESPN.com
Kiper’s pick: Cornerback Colton Hood, Tennessee

Kiper’s comment: “Twenty picks after Jermod McCoy came off the board, another Tennessee corner closes out Round 1 of this mock draft. Hood fits perfectly with the Mike Macdonald defense as a cornerback with length and decent speed, and while he had only one interception in 2025, he broke up 10 passes. The defending Super Bowl champions returned Josh Jobe and brought in Noah Igbinoghene, but Riq Woolen is off to the Eagles. Hood could get significant reps on the outside in Year 1.”

My comment: Hood measured 6 feet and 193 pounds at the scouting combine and is regarded by some as among the best zone-playing corners available, which would be a good fit for the Seahawks, who played zone roughly 72% of the snaps in 2025.

Joel Klatt, FoxSports.com
Klatt’s pick: Edge TJ Parker, Clemson

Klatt’s comment: “The Seahawks lost some key pieces from their title-winning team, so general manager John Schneider will look to add some good value. Parker fits that bill, and he might be a steal if you can get him with the last pick of the first round. The Seahawks still have to deal with (LA Rams quarterback Matthew) Stafford and some other talented passing games this season. Adding another pass rusher would go a long way in helping to repeat.”

My comment: An edge rusher makes all the sense in the world, not just to replace Mafe but also to add youth at the spot with Uchenna Nwosu entering the final season of his contract and DeMarcus Lawrence turning 34 in April.

Gordon McGuinness, Pro Football Focus
McGuinness’ pick: Cornerback Avieon Terrell, Clemson

McGuinness’ comment: “The Super Bowl champions lost starting cornerback Tariq Woolen to free agency, and although they did bring back Josh Jobe, cornerback is a position of need. Terrell improved in each of his college seasons, excelling in coverage and establishing himself as a willing run defender (85.2 PFF run-defense in 2025).”

My comment: Terrell, who measured 5-11 and 186 at the combine, is the younger brother of A.J. Terrell, a former first-round pick of the Falcons. He’s considered able to play inside and out, and his run-defense ability would be a good fit for what Seattle asks of its corners.



Sam Farmer, Los Angeles Times
Farmer’s pick: Running back Jadarian Price, Notre
Dame

Farmer’s comment: “Two ball carriers from the same college backfield in the opening round (Price is the teammate of Jeremiyah Love, expected to be the first running back taken)? The defending Super Bowl champions need to start reconstructing a backfield.”

My comment: Unless the Seahawks make another significant addition to the backfield before the draft, it would be a pretty big surprise if they do not pick a running back. The Seahawks like holdovers George Holani and Kenny McIntosh as well as free-agent signee Emanuel Wilson, but they need more.

Tom Fornelli, CBSSports.com
Fornelli’s pick: Cornerback Brandon Cisse, South Carolina

Fornelli’s comment: “Ideally, the Seahawks would love it if someone wanted to trade back into the first round to get that fifth-year option on a prospect, but I don’t know who’s left on the board that would attract a partner. So the Seahawks add yet another talented defensive back to their defense.”

My comment: I agree that the Seahawks can be expected to explore trade-down options to turn Pick No. 32 into maybe one or two more in the middle rounds. Though Cisse is from the same school as current Seahawk Nick Emmanwori, the two did not play together there. Cisse transferred in last season from North Carolina State. Seattle, though, has had pretty good luck drafting players who spent time at both of those schools.

Daniel Jeremiah, NFL.com
Jeremiah’s pick: Running back Jadarian Price, Notre Dame

Jeremiah’s comment: “I see a steep drop at the running back position this year after Price. He would slide right into the mix in Seattle, with Kenneth Walker III departing and Zach Charbonnet coming off injury.”

My comment: Price was also one of the better kickoff returners in college football last season, bringing back two for touchdowns. That’s not a Seattle need necessarily with Rashid Shaheed re-signing. But special teams coordinator Jay Harbaugh might have fun figuring out how to use two elite returners.

Mike Renner, CBSSports.com
Renner’s pick: Safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Toledo

Renner’s comment: “Emmanuel McNeil-Warren can replace what the Seahawks lost when Coby Bryant left in free agency. He’s one of the best playmakers in the safety class with 11 career forced fumbles and five interceptions.”

My comment: McNeil-Warren measured 6-2 and 202 pounds at the combine, and he would give Seattle another imposing safety. He’s also considered one of the better run-defending safeties in the draft.

Nate Tice Yahoo.com
Tice’s pick: Safety Dillon Thieneman, Oregon

Tice’s comment: “I [stared] at the available offensive guards at this spot for so long. There are also a few intriguing defensive line and wide receiver prospects here. Even after the investments made at both spots, I wouldn’t rule out the Seahawks continuing to bolster both positions. Instead, the Seahawks get the versatile Thieneman from the state just south of them. Thieneman would be an excellent fit in Mike Macdonald’s two-high scheme, unlocking his two-way ability as a run defender and in coverage, while also allowing him to play from a high position to take advantage of his ability to read and close on the football. Thieneman would allow the Seahawks to live in their five and six defensive back looks and unlock the rest of Seattle’s talented defense.’’

My comment: Hard to argue with any of that.

Vincent Bonsignore, New York Post
Bonsignore’s pick: Cornerback Jermod McCoy, Tennessee

Bonsignore’s comment: “There’s a chance McCoy goes much higher in the draft, but he missed all of 2025 so there are likely to be concerns by teams picking earlier in the first round. That would be completely fine with the Seahawks. They need to replace Riq Woolen, who left in free agency, and in McCoy they find tremendous value at this stage of the draft.”

My comment: McCoy played the 2023 season as a freshman at Oregon State before transferring to Tennessee and then missing last season because of an ACL injury. That injury and that he played only two college seasons makes him a projection. But the Seahawks may be able to afford taking a gamble given their current roster status.

[Donn Beach]

Fornelli’s comment: “Ideally, the Seahawks would love it if someone wanted to trade back into the first round to get that fifth-year option on a prospect, but I don’t know who’s left on the board that would attract a partner

Off the top of my head that could be a QB. Teams without a QB might want to take a shot at a guy at the bottom of the first round. If you are set at QB you are happy to cooperate