Seahawks Rookie Forecast 2026
Solid Starter
Bud Clark, S, TCU – Round 2 
Seahawks general manager John Schneider has been superb at drafting secondary talent, especially after the first round. A year after landing a massive steal with Nick Emmanwori in the second round, Schneider added a free safety steal in Clark to pair with Emmanwori for many years to come. Like Emmanwori, Clark has the ability to contribute quickly for Seattle.
Clark was a ballhawk in college with a dynamic ability to create big plays for his defense. With 15 interceptions over the last four years, Clark showed that he is instinctive and dangerous to take the ball away. Clark covers a lot of ground as the deep free safety and has good vision to jump lanes. With his speed and instincts, Clark is special on the back end. Clark slid in the draft because of medical concerns and also being undersized. At 6 feet, 188 pounds, Clark could stand to add some weight and strength to help him tackle and potentially avoid injury.
With the Seahawks, Clark landed in a great situation with Emmanwori being able to serve as a strong safety and potential nickel corner. Teams will run schemes to manipulate the defense pre-snap with motion that causes nickel corners to kick inside to basically be linebackers. That would not be a good fit for Clark to avoid injury as a pro, but Seattle has a perfect defensive back for that in Emmanwori. Thus, Clark can stay at free safety and lock down the back part of the field. With other veterans in place, Clark may not start right away, but before long, I think he will emerge as a solid starter for Seattle.
2025: Grey Zabel, G
2024: Christian Haynes, G
2023: Devon Witherspoon, CB
2022: Kenneth Walker, RB
2021: D’Wayne Eskridge, WR
2020: Darrell Taylor, DE
2019: L.J. Collier, DE
2018: Rashaad Penny, RB
2017: Ethan Pocic, C
2016: Germain Ifedi, OT
2015: Mark Glowinski, G
2014: Cassius Marsh, DE
2013: Chris Harper, WR
Most Likely To Bust
NONEThe Seahawks had a very good draft, and I don’t see any player on day one or day two that I think will be a bust. Clark has some risk because of health, but Price looks very safe to be a good pro back. Third-round pick Julian Neal should be a good backup cornerback if not ascend into being a starter. I think the Seahawks will not have an early-round bust from the 2026 draft class.
2025: Jalen Milroe, QB
2024: A.J. Barner, TE
2023: Derick Hall, DE
2022: Boye Mafe, DE
2021: None
2020: Damien Lewis, G
2019: Marquise Blair, S
2018: Will Dissly, TE
2017: Shaquill Griffin, CB
2016: Jarran Reed, DT
2015: Frank Clark, DE
2014: Justin Britt, OT
2013: Jesse Williams, DT
Potential Boom Pick
Jadarian Price, RB, Notre Dame – Round 1
The Seahawks lost Kenneth Walker in free agency, but were able to add a dynamic back to replace him with Price at the end of the first round. The defending champs could be even more dangerous with Price, as he is a special back with an even better skill set than Walker. Price could be a plug-and-play starter who is an impact player right away for Seattle.
At most schools, Price would have been a feature back who produced a big stat line during his collegiate career. However, at Notre Dame, Price was stuck behind a superstar back in Jeremiyah Love, yet Price showed that he is a future NFL starter in his own right. In 2024, Price averaged 6.2 yards per carry for 746 yards with seven touchdowns. In 2025, Price was very good as the No. 2 back behind Love. Price averaged six yards per carry for 674 yards with 11 touchdowns. He had six catches for 87 yards and a touchdown. He has also been a dynamic kick returner with two returns for touchdowns.
There is no doubt that Price has the ability to be an NFL running back with a skill set to be in contention as a three-down starter early in his pro career. The first trait that generates a lot of talk about Price is his acceleration, as he has a quick first step to hit the hole and a second gear to burst to the second level of the defense. In the open field, Price can rip off yards in chunks as a threat to turn ordinary carries into big gains. Price is a one-cut, downhill, straight-line runner with a knack for ripping off long gains and scoring sprints.
Aside from his quickness, Price is a natural runner with instincts. He has excellent vision and anticipation to follow his line before bursting downhill as he quickly anticipates where a hole is about to open. On top of his feel for running with the ball, he has a compact build that provides him with some power to run through tackles and pick up yards after contact. Price has plus balance to maintain his feet after getting hit by defenders, and he uses his stature to run through would-be tacklers. In the open field, Price has some moves, quick feet, and elusiveness. His strength and build make him a quality short-yardage runner as well.
With defenses focused on stopping Sam Darnold and Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Price should see some excellent looks to run the ball. Veteran Zach Charbonnet is coming off a serious injury, and Price could be starting in Week 1. He has the upside to be a Pro Bowl back and a boom pick for Seattle.
2025: Nick Emmanwori, S
2024: Byron Murphy, DT
2023: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR
2022: Charles Cross
2021: None
2020: Jordyn Brooks, LB
2019: D.K. Metcalf, WR
2018: Rasheem Green, DE
2017: Malik McDowell, DT
2016: C.J. Prosise, RB
2015: Tyler Lockett, WR
2014: Paul Richardson, WR
2013: Christine Michael, RB
Future Depth Player
Beau Stephens, G, Iowa – Round 5 
The Seahawks have revamped their offensive line, and that helped lead them to a Super Bowl championship last year. After using a first-round pick a year ago, Seattle’s line was finished off and ready to yield a balanced offense with run blocking and pass protection for Sam Darnold. The Seahawks added some nice depth with the selection of Stephens in the fifth round. He was a tough blocker at the point of attack for the Hawkeyes during his collegiate career. Stephens may not become a starter in Seattle, but he could be a nice rotational backup and spot starter in case of injury.
2025: Elijah Arroyo, TE
2024: Nehemiah Pritchett, CB
2023: Cameron Young, DT
2022: Coby Bryant, OT
2021: Stone Forsythe, OT
2020: Colby Parkinson, TE
2019: Gary Jennings, WR
2018: Shaquem Griffin, LB
2017: Nazair Jones, DT
2016: Nick Vannett, TE
2015: Tye Smith, CB
2014: Kevin Pierre-Louis, LB
2013: Tharold Simon, CB
