There's a specific reason why Arkansas' Julian Neal can fit neatly in Seattle.
Reaction to NFL draft selections is still pouring in. The 2026 draft isn't that far in the rearview mirror -- just one week -- so it's still entirely worth it to see what's being said about notable draft picks from Arkansas football. Julian Neal going to the Seattle Seahawks late in the third round on Day 2 remains an intriguing move by the Super Bowl champions. Sports Illustrated pointed to a specific reason why Neal is a good fit for Mike Macdonald and the champs:
"Through most of the pre-draft process, there were many arguments that the Seahawks should draft a cornerback in the first, despite not being a top-three need. The idea is that it is better to have several great cornerbacks to overcompensate for a heavy passing team like the Los Angeles Rams. The Seahawks, however, signed Josh Jobe to a new three-year deal, and he was the clear starter, opposite Devon Witherspoon.
"The Seahawks got Neal, who is essentially a younger version of former Seahawk Riq Woolen, who signed a one-year deal with the Philadelphia Eagles. Neal is a press corner who has a solid frame and likes to be physical at the line of scrimmage. While Neal doesn’t have top-end speed, he has the agility to stay within reach of his receiver in man coverage. Best of all, Neal doesn’t make the dumb personal foul penalties that could get the team in trouble, i.e., Woolen in the NFC Championship Game.
"The Seahawks have Jobe and Witherspoon, two lockdown corners who can stay tight to their man-coverage player. They also have Nick Emmanwori, who can play physical and lockdown a slot receiver or tight end in coverage. Neal, however, has a more assertive coverage scheme that the Seahawks can utilize. They put Neal in certain plays to be more aggressive and have other defensive backs, like safeties, watch out for the deep plays.
"Neal would be best used in zone coverage while he develops into a more efficient coverage corner. He wouldn’t be a threat to the starters on the field but more of a fellow contributor to a solid defensive system. The Seahawks like to utilize their versatility. Neal adds more versatility to an already great defensive back unit despite losing Woolen and safety Coby Bryant.
"If Neal can prove to be more consistent than veteran cornerback Noah Igbinoghene, who could also play nickel, then the Seahawks have a reliable No. 3 cornerback. He could be a great rotational player for Jobe or Witherspoon for rest or injury. There might be times when the Seahawks need Witherspoon at nickel and Emmanwori at safety or linebacker. Finally, Neal would be there for those much-needed dime packages in heavy passing plays."
The point we keep coming back to with Julian Neal is that if anyone in the NFL can figure out how to properly use a young defensive player, it's Mike Macdonald. Maybe the Plan A doesn't work; no worries, Plan B could work with Macdonald rearranging the chess pieces. This isn't to say the above analysis from Sports Illustrated is wrong, only that Macdonald is such an elite defensive strategist that he can make pieces fit if there is some friction or incongruence in the preseason with Julian Neal.