With a month until the draft, we’ve run through various names that could be considered at #32 (or whenever the Seahawks make their first pick).
Chris Johnson’s 91.9 grade in zone is top among cornerbacks. With the Seahawks using zone about 77.5% of the time under Mike Macdonald, he’s a viable candidate. It was reported that he’s taking an official-30 visit to Seattle.
We know the Seahawks had at least some interest in Jalon Walker a year ago. He was an OLB with shorter arms and great character. Cashius Howell similarly fits that description — and his 19.9% win percentage is impressive too.
If the Seahawks want to invest in their offensive line, Emmanuel Pregnon’s remarkable 3.40 TEF score makes him one of the most explosive testers to enter the league in the last decade. The players who tested in a similar way have become top NFL starters. He also has the top grade for zone blocking among all O-liners in the draft.
The Seahawks need a running back and Jadarian Price’s 21.2% explosive run rate is the best in the class — beating even Notre Dame team-mate Jeremiyah Love (19.6%). He’s miles ahead of everyone else, significantly so in the case of players like Jonah Coleman (12.7%) and Emmett Johnson (14.3%). If they want to add a big-play element to their backfield, Price makes sense.
What if these players aren’t available though? It’s not hard to imagine teams like the Chiefs or Dolphins liking Johnson in the late first. Plenty of teams need pass rush in the 20’s. The Steelers badly need a left guard and could take Pregnon off the board. Regardless of how explosive Price is, #32 might be too rich.
What do they do then?
I still think there’s a reasonable chance they explore trade options before the draft. With the owners meeting this weekend, conversations will happen.
In separate reports over the last 72 hours, Tom Pelissero and Jeremy Fowler both made it sound like Maxx Crosby could still be dealt. The Seahawks would have a hard time outbidding other teams — but it’s something to keep in mind.
I am very much in favour of dealing #32 for De’Von Achane if possible but the Dolphins re-working his contract would make a trade nonsensical given it will now cost them $2.5m in dead money to move him, when they’re already in the red for effective cap space.
If no trade is possible, either with these two players or anyone else, they’ll have to take someone with their first pick.
If the obvious candidates are gone, what then?
A couple of things to consider.
Firstly, they might shoot for upside.
I found it interesting that Todd McShay said on his podcast today that there’s buzz Malachi Lawrence could sneak into the late first round. I immediately thought of the Seahawks.
Only Lawrence, Howell and Arvell Reese ran a 10-yard split in the 1.5’s — generally considered the elite range. He has outstanding explosive traits (40-inch vertical, 10-10 broad). He has ideal size (6-4, 253lbs) and length (33.5 inch arms).
On top of this, he had the fastest max speed (18.8mph) per GPS during the college season. His max speed over the first 10-yards (16.1mph) was way ahead of everyone but Howell (16mph). For example — Dani Dennis-Sutton (14.8mph), Zion Young (15.1mph) and TJ Parker (15.2mph) were way off the pace.
He also had 17 ‘high speed’ plays during the 2025 season. Nobody else had more than 10.
This is the kind of profile the Seahawks have looked for.
His win rate was 19.2% in 2025 and 22.7% the year prior. That’s a box ticked too.
Lawrence is far from the finished product but his upside is significant. You are taking a shot on developing him to be more than he’s shown so far, knowing if you pull it off — he has the physical talent to be interesting.
I’d also say, the Seahawks need speed more than anything in their pass-rush arsenal. They are already brilliant at defending the run. They don’t need another slower defensive lineman. They need quick wins. They need someone to replace Boye Mafe, who was a situational rusher. That’s a player like Lawrence.
Don’t be shocked if they decide to roll the dice on his traits and production if Howell is unavailable. Romello Height is another name to keep in mind.
Secondly, they might look at positional flexibility and fit.
Jalon Kilgore is coming to Seattle for an official visit. Everything about him screams ‘Dark Side’. His imposing frame (6-1, 220lbs) combined with his 4.40 speed and length (33 inch arms). His demeanour. His physical style and production (eight college interceptions).
We know Mike Macdonald likes players who can help disguise coverages and pressures. Kilgore can be another chess-piece — capable of playing corner, safety and the slot.
Coby Bryant ran a 4.54 at 6-1 and 193lbs and found a home converting to safety. Kilgore is bigger and faster and could be a fascinating replacement.
I wouldn’t assume just because Ty Okada played well last season that the Seahawks would rule out a pick like this. After all, why else bring him in for a visit?
Kilgore will go earlier than people realise. There aren’t many players with his alpha energy, speed, size and production. I’d bet today that he goes before team-mate Brandon Cisse, who ran a slower than expected forty at his combine.
He feels like a very ‘Macdonald’s Seahawks’ type.
It’s also been reported today that LSU safety AJ Haulcy is taking an official visit to Seattle. He is a player who some, including Greg Cosell, have speculated could work into round one consideration. He also has eight picks in his college career.
Haulcy is a different type of player to Kilgore and only ran a 4.52 — but it’s pretty clear the Seahawks are checking in on the value at safety. If they see Miami’s Keionte Scott as a safety convert, after he reportedly ran a 4.3 today, I wonder if they’ll also have him in for a visit.
These are the kinds of players to have in mind if the Johnson’s, Howell’s and Pregnon’s aren’t there and they have to look elsewhere.
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