Why The Seahawks' Pick 32 Is Suddenly Way More Valuable Than You Think
The Seahawks are sitting on just four draft picks in 2026, and honestly, that's historically rough. If they don't add more, it'll be the second-fewest picks in franchise history since that brutal 2021 draft when they grabbed only three. But here's the thing: ESPN's Field Yates just laid out exactly why pick No. 32 could be a golden ticket to get teams knocking on their door to trade up.
That Fifth-Year Option Is Real Money
So why does pick 32 matter so much in what's being called kind of a lackluster draft class? Yates broke it down when he hit Seattle Sports' Brock and Salk on Wednesday, and it comes down to two major factors. First up: first-round picks get five years of contract control. That's a full year longer than the typical deal, and if you think your guy is going to be elite, that extra year of team control is huge. For real. If a team believes they've found a franchise cornerstone, that fifth-year option can be the difference between years of success or getting priced out in free agency.
The Quarterback Chess Match
Here's where it gets spicy. Yates says Alabama's Ty Simpson could very well float into the late first round, and that's got teams in that 27 to 32 range sweating. Arizona's currently slated at pick 34 and the Jets at 33. What if Arizona thinks the Jets are about to snag Simpson? Suddenly, they're desperate to jump ahead and secure their guy. That panic buying is where Seattle could cash in. Simpson is the consensus No. 2 quarterback in this class behind Indiana's Fernando Mendoza, who's expected to go first overall to the Raiders. Yates has Simpson rated No. 29 overall and he's the only other quarterback in his top 50 besides Mendoza.
"Whether it's a quarterback or another position, that fifth year of contract control does have a lot of value, so Seattle could get some nibbles," Yates said.
The Seahawks have picks at 32, 64, 96, and 166 right now. Standing pat is an option in a class that hasn't exactly lit the world on fire. But if they want to build out their draft and take more swings? Pick 32 is the bait teams will be ready to bite on.
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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.