John Schneider's draft philosophy often favors accumulating assets. Expect the Seahawks to consider trading down, prioritizing depth and flexibility over a single late first-round pick.
The last time that the Seattle Seahawks won the Super Bowl, GM John Schneider traded out of the first round. He has also done the same thing quite a few times since then.
In ESPN's Bill Barnwell’s 2026 mock draft that includes all of the trades that he thinks teams will make, Seattle leans into that philosophy, opting to move back from pick No. 32 and prioritize flexibility over a single late first-round selection.
"Though Schneider would also miss out on the fifth-year option at No. 32, the Seahawks would pick up an extra third-round pick and restore that fifth-round selection by moving down seven spots here," Barnwell writes. "The Browns would pick up the phone, and this could be to land Ty Simpson. The Jets and Cardinals pick at Nos. 33 and 34, respectively, and could draft Simpson if he's still on the board at the start of Day 2."
The Seahawks are coming off of their second Super Bowl win in franchise history, but they have lost a few pieces in free agency. Despite that, they are not necessarily in a spot where they need a first-rounder, but just to reload.
Teams picking early in the second round often look to jump back into Round 1 to secure the coveted fifth-year option on rookie contracts. That dynamic increases the value of Seattle’s slot, making it an ideal trade chip. In Barnwell’s scenario, the Seahawks capitalize on that leverage, sliding back while picking up additional assets.
Another factor working in Seattle’s favor is the perceived depth of the 2026 class. While it may lack elite, top-heavy talent, many evaluators believe there is strong value in the middle rounds. That kind of draft profile aligns perfectly with a trade-down approach, allowing teams like the Seahawks to stockpile picks and target multiple high-upside players instead of reaching for a marginal first-round grade.
A big part of the team's identity this past season was their defense, but that is where they lost guys like Riq Woolen and Coby Bryant. Seattle might not need a top guy in the draft, so they might be better off getting more picks in the later rounds to reload.