When you’re picking at the end of every round, it’s not easy to come away feeling like things have fallen your way. Despite this, after two days of the 2026 NFL Draft, the Seahawks can feel really good about the players they’ve acquired.

This always felt like it was going to be an exercise in replacing lost talent. With each pick, it was easy to see value matching need at multiple positions. In Jadarian Price, Bud Clark and Julian Neal — they’ve filled three of four key vacancies without reaching.

I don’t do a vertical board ranking players one after the other. I do a horizontal board where players are stacked in ranges. Therefore, I never quote that players are ’32nd on my board’ or anything like that. When I reviewed the board earlier today, I can say that Price was one of the 30 best players in this draft in my opinion.

Taking him at #32 immediately addressed Seattle’s need to add big plays to their running game and took the pressure off needing to find solutions later on at the position. Kaelon Black is the only other running back to be selected since, pointing to the scarce options this year.

Bud Clark was a solid mid-second round player for me and they got him ay #64. I had him graded higher than Emmanuel McNeil-Warren and just behind Treydan Stukes. This was a fantastic value pick for a terrific player.

I had Julian Neal bunched among several corners with a mid-third round grade. They got him at #99. Again, the value is clear as they replace the length they lost with Riq Woolen departure.

How can you not love his reaction to being drafted by the way?

The Seahawks didn’t do anything like start drafting fourth round tight ends like multiple teams, come up with the idea that Carson Beck is a possible solution at quarterback or use a third round pick on a late round receiver like the Dolphins. For the fifth draft in the row they executed what feels like a textbook plan to add value and talent.

I don’t think it could’ve gone any better frankly.

Meanwhile, Seattle’s nearest rivals in the NFC failed — in my opinion — to get significantly better, with the exception of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers who I think are having a great draft.

They still need to replace Boye Mafe and that’ll be something they likely use the veteran market for, with Dante Fowler and Von Miller two standout options. With $29m in effective cap space, they can begin negotiations knowing their comp picks are secure from Monday.

Enjoy these days, Seahawks fans. You’re Super Bowl Champions and have the right people running the franchise. Very few teams get to say that.

Bud Clark (S, TCU)

An interception machine with 15 picks for TCU. He was a two-time team captain who is said to be highly respected by team-mates.

Clark plays every down with a sparky energy. He’s clearly a competitive player who loves the game. His ball skills, unsurprisingly given his production, are really good — he makes difficult catches look easy.

He’s capable of playing roaming centre field and has enough range to play the ball on deep throws. He’s not an eraser, so don’t expect Earl Thomas. But he’s quick and shows evidence of recovery speed.

Played mostly slot in 2025 (313 snaps), then the box (250), then free safety (160). He will jump up and dislodge the ball or tip passes when he can’t make a pick.

He just has a very natural knack for being in the right place at the right time.

Clark’s eyes sometimes stay on the QB too long and I worry about post routes when he does this. I’ve seen receivers get in behind him and sometimes he was lucky not to get torched. I would prefer to see him playing with things in front of him, not at the line too often.

His blitzes can be sharp, dynamic and come unexpectedly from the deep field. He only missed three tackles in 2025 and his run defense grade was high (83.1).

He was outstanding at the Senior Bowl, winning multiple 1v1’s. This is not typical for a safety and he came away with the play of the week with a crazy acrobatic grab for an interception during practise in Mobile.

Julian Neal (CB, Arkansas)

Great length and size (6-2, 208lbs, 33 1/8 inch arms). His wingspan/arm length looks like a real asset on tape.

I expected him to be leggy at his size but he closes quickly and sticks downfield. He was the 13th fastest player at the Senior Bowl, running 20.22 mph.

He doesn’t have top-level quickness and NFL speed-demons could give him trouble downfield.

He’s competitive when the ball’s in the air. He was predominantly used outside but did get snaps in the slot and the box in 2025. He only missed four tackles in his final season for Arkansas.

He’s a tremendous run defender and this will be a major plus point. His tackles are forceful and he’s an extremely physical defender for a corner.

Neal did get away with some early contact in 2025 that could be flagged in the NFL.

Watching him it was so easy to see he was well worth a middle round pick to try and develop. He will bring size and length to the position to make up for the loss of Woolen.

If you missed my end-of-day-three reaction stream, check it out below: