Washington's Best Could Be Seattle's Next: How UW Fills the Seahawks' Draft Holes
The Seahawks just won the Super Bowl. Seriously. Now comes the hard part: keeping that window open. Free agency is done, and GM John Schneider has a clear shopping list heading into the 2026 NFL draft. The Emerald City needs to replace four major departures, and the good news? Some of the best talent in the country might be just down the road in Seattle.
The Holes That Need Filling
Losing Kenneth Walker III hurts. The dude was Super Bowl LX MVP, and that kind of production at running back doesn't just replace itself. Add in the departures at cornerback, safety, and edge rusher, and you're looking at some serious gaps on both sides of the ball. Schneider knows it. The front office has been quiet through free agency, but that's by design. They're saving ammunition for the draft.
The Huskies Connection
Here's where it gets interesting: the University of Washington just held Pro Day on Monday, March 16, right here in Seattle. Running back Jonah Coleman put on a show for the scouts. The Seahawks have four picks to work with, including their own first, second, and third round selections. That's real flexibility to find the right pieces.
When your scouts don't have to leave the city to evaluate talent, you get a clearer picture. UW players have always fit well in Seattle's system. Coach Mike Macdonald and offensive coordinator Brian Fleury know exactly what they're looking for, and watching it live at Climate Pledge Arena changes things.
Time to Act
The Seahawks proved they can win the big one. Now they have to build around Sam Darnold and a receiving corps that includes Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Rashid Shaheed, and Cooper Kupp. Draft capital is there. The tape is rolling in from the University of Washington. The question isn't whether Schneider can find answers, it's whether he can find them before someone else does. That's the next championship move.
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This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.