John Schneider’s extensive wheeling and dealing gifted the Seattle Seahawks with eleven picks in the 2025 NFL draft. Schneider added a starting offensive lineman, a game-changing safety, a couple of promising young pass catchers, and a big, bruising fullback, all of whom have made plays for Seattle this season.
There were also a half dozen developmental prospects, some of whom may earn bigger roles in the years ahead. All in all, a pretty good haul.
2026 does not look to be nearly as revolutionary. As of today, Schneider has just four picks – the club’s native picks in Rounds one, two, and three, and a sixth-rounder from Cleveland, which came in a previous trade.
Seattle Seahawks 7-round NFL mock draft
Schneider dealt away a couple of his mid-rounders to acquire Rashid Shaheed. After his momentum-swinging punt return against the Rams last Thursday, I’d say that was a worthwhile move.
Schneider may make more deals as the draft approaches, but there’s a good chance he will be careful with his high-value picks on Days one and two. Fortunately, the Seahawks have assembled a very talented young roster, so the need to restock is not quite as glaring as it might have seemed last year.
But there are still obvious holes on both offense and defense that will require quality players who can contribute quickly. So, using Pro Football Network’s mock draft simulator – and ruling out draft day trades for now – here is one idea of what Schneider may do in 2026.
Round 1, Pick 31: Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State
If McDonald slides down to Seattle at 31, I think his namesake head coach will be delighted. Seattle is well stocked in the middle of the defensive line with veterans Lenoard Williams and Jarran Reed, as well as rising star Byron Murphy II.
2025 draftee Rylie Mills has recently made his debut after dealing with an injury sustained late last season. Therefore, it may seem as if the Seahawks do not need to invest in the middle of the line this year.
However, McDonald gives them something they do not currently have…a legitimate nose tackle who can play the A gap or line up over center and create havoc. Brandon Pili has provided some support in the middle, but it has mostly fallen on Reed to man the spot. Kayden McDonald is younger and bigger.
He is not simply a big body in the middle. He is a dynamic athlete who can move laterally and collapse the pocket on pass plays. Adding him pays immediate dividends while shoring up a crucial spot for the future.
Other potential picks: Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee; Iapani Laloulu, IOL, OregonRound 2, pick 62: Austin Siereveld, OL, Ohio State
Going with back-to-back Buckeyes to stabilize both lines. Siereveld has played tackle, and he has the ability to play there in the pros. But for Seattle, he would shift inside. He lined up at both right and left guard in college and has the size, the power, and the technique to start from day one.
Schneider has added a lot of young linemen over the past couple of drafts, but Siereveld would probably jump to the front of the line as a replacement at right guard if Anthony Bradford does not return.
Like last year’s top pick, Grey Zabel, Siereveld has plenty of power to play on the inside and is equally proficient as a run and pass blocker. He has also been a leader on a national championship team and shown great maturity on the field and in the classroom. Pairing him with Zabel would give Seattle one of the most promising pairs of young guards in the league.
Other potential picks: Chris Brazzell II, WR, Tennessee; Parker Brailsford, C, AlabamaRound 3, Pick 95: Demond Claiborne, RB, Wake Forest
If the recent Rams’ game proved anything, it is that Seattle needs explosive plays coming from the backfield in order to challenge the league’s best. Kenneth Walker III was Seattle’s most important player in that regard, accounting for 40% of the team’s total offense against LA.
If Schneider cannot reach a deal to bring Walker back (he is a pending free agent after the season), he needs to find a dynamic weapon to pair with the steady Zach Charbonnet.
Claiborne is by no means a Walker clone. At 195 pounds, he lacks Walker’s power, and any team would have to be concerned about overexposing him to the rigors of life as an NFL running back. However, when he has the ball in his hands, Claiborne is simply an amazing runner. He has the speed and contact balance to make chunk plays.
More importantly, he has the natural vision and patience that all great runners possess. He sees holes and hits them perfectly. He also has experience as a kick returner and can be an effective pass catcher on screens.
Other potential picks: Tacario Davis, CB, Washington; Garrett Nussmeier, QB, LSURound 6, Pick 183: Jaishawn Barham, E, Michigan
If Jaishawn Barham shows he can carry ten more pounds without losing his speed and agility, he will fly up draft boards. Right now, at 6’3”, 243 pounds, there is some concern about where he might fit into a professional defense.
The thing that is most impressive is that, despite not having the size or length of a traditional edge setter, he has proven to be an outstanding run defender against elite competition in college. As such, Mike Macdonald can figure out ways to use him, both on the edge and in the box as an off-ball linebacker.
Macdonald prizes versatility and speed above all else. Barham offers that. Though he would not have the immediate impact of recent higher draft picks like Boye Mafe, Uchenna Nwosu, and Derick Hall, Barham would be a very solid addition were Mafe to leave via free agency.
He would likely follow the path of Hall, working behind the starters as he develops his coverage skills and adjusts to the size and speed of NFL linemen.
Other potential picks: Deion Burks, WR, Oklahoma; Romello Height, E, Texas Tech