The Seattle Seahawks are primed for another run at the Super Bowl. With few immediate needs, the team could try an interesting strategy in the NFL Draft.
The Seattle Seahawks are the defending Super Bowl champions in the NFL. That much is clear for Seattle heading into the 2026 season. However, the path toward title defense starts to raise a few questions.
After tearing through the league with a ferocious defense and equally equipped offense, the Seahawks made a statement in their ascent toward the throne. Many core pieces are returning next year, such as star wideout Jaxon Smith-Njigba and his passing partner Sam Darnold.
Some of those Seahawks have flown out of the nest, including cornerback Riq Woolen to the Philadelphia Eagles and Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III to the Kansas City Chiefs.
General Manager John Schneider and his team have already been hard at work in securing talent to come to Seattle. While these signings are expected to make an impact, the Seahawks will turn to the NFL Draft to acquire long-term investments.
As the Super Bowl champs, Seattle holds the final pick of the first round, 32nd overall. While there will surely be high-quality prospects left when the order turns to them, the team only holds three more overall selections in the draft.
That poses a major concern for Seattle, who will not only pick later than most other teams but also fewer times. Now this isn't expected to affect them immediately, especially following their dominant campaign, the lack of young prospects could cause a serious problem down the road.
Due to this potential hang-up, Bleacher Report's Kristopher Knox has campaigned the squad to implement a possibly controversial strategy heading into April's draft. Knox suggested that the Seahawks should shop around their 32nd pick to teams eyeing earlier prospects to stockpile on later-round picks.
As previously mentioned, Seattle has locked down or brought in several high-level players for next season and has few holes left to fill throughout the lineup. Even so, their hypothetical selection to close round one is unlikely to make a dramatic impact on a team that is competing for another title.
The most sought-after position groups are offensive lineman and possibly running back after Walker's departure, but many of the top players in these groups are likely to be available in later rounds.
The idea of trading their highest pick, and potentially a starting talent, may initially sound shocking to Seahawks faithful. However, when viewed in the grand scheme of things, the move starts to become more reasonable.
Whatever Schneider and the Seattle front office decide to do during draft day, it is not likely to change the fact that they have built the Seahawks into a contender once again heading into 2026.