With the legal tampering period starting on Monday at 9am PT, I wanted to publish my updated post-combine Horizontal Board.
It might help explain certain free agency decisions based on the positional tiers within the 2026 draft.
I still have many players to study and grade before the end of April so I will keep updating the board as we go along. I’ve written a short positional blurb for each position underneath.
Players in red have known injury issues and players in purple have reported character question marks that you would want to check out.
Quarterbacks
I don’t think there is a quarterback worthy of being drafted in round one in this class and I don’t think the difference between Fernando Mendoza and Ty Simpson, the two highest graded quarterbacks, is much at all. In fact I could easily be convinced that Simpson is better, he just doesn’t have sufficient playing experience.
Mendoza mastered the Indiana system well but it’s nothing like a NFL offense. He will need to do a lot more than the RPO/back-shoulder heavy system that has elevated Indiana to new heights.
One of the things we will need to monitor over the next 2-3 years is how the Indiana players adapt to the NFL. We are witnessing one of the all-time coaching jobs by Curt Cignetti and a lot of players are excelling in his system. Are they a product of the situation, or are they simply being elevated and developed at a superior rate?
Personally if I were the Raiders I wouldn’t feel obliged to force a quarterback pick at #1. I would look to build up a bleak looking roster, accept 2026 will be a struggle and be patient at the most important position.
A final note — despite the grade I’ve given him here, I thought Ty Simpson had an excellent throwing session at the combine. I just have a hard time drafting a player early with so few college starts.
Running back
Last year was a deep class of runners, if slightly overrated in terms of actual talent. This year there’s a better player at the top of the list and almost no depth.
Jeremiyah Love might be the most talented prospect in the entire draft. His team-mate at Notre Dame, Jadarian Price, could go anywhere from the late first to the late second. It’s hard to get an angle on his stock — but he is a strong fit for a wide-zone system. Mike Washington Jr should also go relatively early based on his outstanding physical profile (and his tape is good too). I suspect there will be mixed views on Emmett Johnson and some could even have him as RB2, it’ll be about personal preference.
After that, with the exception of the untapped upside of Nicholas Singleton, it’s a very average group. The Seahawks cannot bank on finding someone worth having in this draft, even if they’re sold enough on Price or Washington Jr to take them early. They will have to sign a running back if Ken Walker leaves. My prediction would be Kenneth Gainwell, to pair with Zach Charbonnet when he returns, then see what the draft has in store. There may be other veterans you can sign down the road, such as Brian Robinson Jr, if required.
By bringing in at least one veteran they can feel somewhat covered. It might lead to a regression at this position next season but they’ll have to cope with that.
Wide receiver
There is reasonable depth here and the Seahawks will be presented with opportunities. With the increasing expectation that Rashid Shaheed will depart, my guess is they will look for an injection of pure speed. Chris Brazell Jr, De’Zhaun Stribling and Bryce Lance all ran in the 4.3’s at the combine and could be day-two options.
I think players like Deion Burks and Brenen Thompson are being overrated in the media and could provide that level of quickness later on. There are enough options here though to feel like you can add to this position without it necessarily having to be #32 and #64.
One other thing to note — if they lose Shaheed, Iowa’s Kaden Wetjen is an absolute dynamite return man.
Tight end
This is a very average tight end class with the bulk of the names likely to go in the late third at best, with most probably lasting into day three. The Seahawks timed it perfectly to draft a tight end last year. Regardless of Kenyon Sadiq’s athletic profile, I would’ve had Elijah Arroyo as TE1 if he was in this draft.
Offensive line
There are a good number of explosive athletes within this O-line class and I think people might be underestimating how early some of these players, particularly the tackles, might go. The NFL is desperate for linemen and they’re not likely to stick around for long.
Francis Mauigoa, Spencer Fano, Caleb Lomu, Vega Ioane, Monroe Freeling, Kadyn Proctor, Blake Miller and Max Iheanachor could all go in round one. If Mauigoa and Fano go early, we could see a major run on the position.
I am a big fan of Gennings Dunker as regulars know — but I did tap down my grade ever so slightly after watching more of his Senior Bowl tape. For me he’s still a highly explosive, powerful blocker who has the potential to be a very effective right guard.
The Seahawks might find themselves in an awkward spot to draft a right guard if they are considering it. The #32 pick might be too early but Dunker, Emmanuel Pregnon and Keylan Rutledge might not necessarily reach #64.
For this reason, I think they might try to sign a right guard in free agency. Dylan Parham is a name I’m keeping a close eye on.
EDGE/OLB
I’ve never been truly convinced by David Bailey’s body type and playing style and a ‘good not great’ combine strengthened that stance for me. I’m not sold on him deserving the ‘top-10 lock’ status he has been given.
I think Cashius Howell is one of the most fascinating players in this class. You cannot question his motor, intensity, character and quickness (1.58 10-yard split). His incredibly short arms, though, will raise significant questions. I think for the Seahawks he can replace Boye Mafe as a situational rusher and would be an excellent personality fit for the locker room.
I suspect they’d have to take him at #32. If they didn’t want to do that, or he wasn’t available, I think Romello Height could be a fine alternative. His pass-rush win-rate of 21.8% is second only to Reuben Bain Jr among the big names in this class. You can’t play him down-in, down-out off the EDGE but as a possible pick at #64 who can provide a spark in passing situations, that would make sense.
Malachi Lawrence, R Mason Thomas and Jaishawn Barham are all very different but could also provide day-two relief. It was hard to get an angle on Gabe Jacas and Joshua Josephs after they didn’t test. I need more information on both and consider their grades in a ‘holding position’ for now.
If they sign a running back and a guard in free agency, this could enable the Seahawks to go EDGE/CB or CB/EDGE with their first two picks. There is strong evidence that the board points in that direction.
Defensive ends
I understand why some people love Rueben Bain Jr and Akheem Mesidor. They legitimately wrecked games for Miami. They also had some quiet outings and Bain’s length/frame is not that of someone who typically thrives in the NFL. Mesidor at times looked like a more natural rusher but he’s an older player with an injury history.
Keldric Faulk was a big disappointment at the combine. He didn’t run and looked unspectacular during drills, after a 2025 season lacking in production. A player like this has to show upside in his testing.
Zion Young is too slow and I still have big question marks about his personality and character (especially after his DWI arrest). Dani Dennis-Sutton is a bit of a tease. There are great flashes but also plenty of concerns about his get-off and consistency.
I’m not sure the Seahawks will necessarily be looking for a bigger defensive end unless DeMarcus Lawrence does retire. Even then, I don’t think a rookie can replace him. Plus, Lawrence was 251lbs at his combine and ran a 1.63 10-yard split. You’re better off considering the more typical EDGE types with good run-defense grades. Jaishawn Barham, for example, graded at a 90.4.
Defensive tackles
Seattle’s depth at this position likely means they’ll only dabble if an opportunity arises that they can’t turn down. I really like the upside of Caleb Banks, I’m fighting hard against Kayden McDonald’s underwhelming on-field performance at the combine and Gracen Halton’s brilliant testing (combined with his tape) warrants talk of a decent day-two range.
There are some upside possibilities in the middle rounds but the Seahawks, with only four picks, might go in a different direction.
Linebackers
As good as Sonny Styles performed at the combine, I think a lot of people have counted that twice when analysing him. I think his tape is fine. He’s athletic, you can tell he’s a converted safety. He’s not the most physical. The Fred Warner comparisons, to me at least, feel a little bit outrageous given how sensational Warner is. I wasn’t blown away by Styles’ tape.
I’m a huge Kyle Louis fan and think someone is going to get a hell of a player on day two. Good linebackers will be available moving into the start of day three. The Seahawks probably feel well covered here though.
Cornerbacks
This is the deepest position in the draft. I think it’s pretty obvious that the Seahawks will re-sign Josh Jobe and then select a cornerback. They will have options too. There will be attractive prospects at #32, #64 and potentially #96. This will give them the flexibility to go EDGE early if they think that’s the best plan. If a really excellent corner lasts to #32, though, they can take them with their top pick.
I think people will be surprised by how early Avieon Terrell and Brandon Cisse go. I understand why Mansoor Delane is expected to be CB1 but he has very short arms and didn’t run at the combine. Long speed has been a question mark. Whatever the order, I think they’ll be the first three cornerbacks off the board.
Todd McShay has been very vocal about how the league is viewing Jermod McCoy and his agent. This will probably impact his stock. No games in 2025, no Senior Bowl, no combine. You’re going to have to really believe in him with so many alternatives at his position available.
I like Colton Hood and he could be an option too for the Seahawks.
I have 11 players graded for day two and I’m yet to study all of the cornerback class. I think Cal’s Hezekiah Masses was one of the stars of the combine on-field drills and I was highly impressed with aspects of his tape too. Duke’s Chandler Rivers plays like a Seahawk, while Keionte Scott is one of the most aggressive downfield attacking cornerbacks you’ll ever see.
There are so many strong options here, it would be a major surprise if the Seahawks don’t draft a corner. It’s just a question of how they put together their plan for this draft to determine whether they take one in round one, two or three.
Safeties
I think the perceived depth at safety is a little bit overstated and a reaction to the testing results at the combine. Even so, there are players I really like.
Dillon Thieneman is unquestionably for me a legit first round pick. I thought his combine performance was one of the best I’ve seen from a defensive back in 18 years of writing this blog.
I watched Penn State’s Zakee Wheatley this week and I’m a big fan, he has a lot of talent. I’ll include his write-up in my next set of profiles.
I really don’t understand how or why Emmanuel McNeil-Warren is still being graded in round one and in many instances he’s ranked ahead of Thieneman. I really struggle with that one. A fairly average combine confirms to me the mid-round grade I had on him.
Again with so few picks, this might be a position where they prefer to re-sign Coby Bryant and then address holes left by Rashid Shaheed, Boye Mafe, Ken Walker and Riq Woolen instead. I think as a plan that is what the board tells you makes the most sense.
Final thoughts
I wanted to get this out today because I think the structure of this Horizontal Board, put together over months of work dating back to August, shows the varying depths of each position and where the shelves are too.
This might help explain decisions made by the Seahawks in the coming days.
My best guesses going into free agency is as follows:
— They will try to sign a running back and a right guard if the market allows (they won’t spend big money on either position) and I think Kenneth Gainwell and Dylan Parham make sense
— They’ll re-sign Coby Bryant
— They look to three strengths of the draft at cornerback, EDGE and receiver to replace the holes created by potentially losing Riq Woolen, Boye Mafe and Rashid Shaheed
There are always things that can change this — players who you didn’t expect to be available lasting to #32 or veterans entering your radar that you otherwise figured wouldn’t be in your price range.
However, I think the Horizontal Board suggests this kind of plan, barring the unexpected happening, would make a lot of sense.
