Andre Fuller Is Picking Off Drew Lock and The Emerald City Needs To Pay Attention

Alright 12s, buckle up, because we've got a rookie making some serious noise out in Renton, and it's not who you'd expect. We're talking about Andre Fuller, our seventh-round pick from the 2026 NFL Draft, and the dude is already turning heads in offseason workouts. Forget quietly learning the ropes, this guy is showing up, making plays, and frankly, he just might be the steal of the draft for our beloved Seahawks.

Our "Dark Side Defense" Just Got a New Protégé

Remember how SI's Justin Melo called Fuller one of the biggest sleepers of the entire 2026 NFL Draft? He put him on a list of seven-round picks that teams would "regret letting slip," and man, is he proving Melo right already. This former Toledo standout has NFL-ready size, standing 6-foot-1 and weighing 200 pounds. He clocked a 4.49 in the 40-yard dash and nailed a 10-foot-9 broad jump at the NFL Combine. Plus, the guy was productive in college, racking up 12 pass breakups in 2025 alone, with a career total of 16 pass defenses and 78 combined tackles in 41 games. He also notched 49 combined tackles, including 2.5 for loss, and an interception as a senior. Drafted at No. 236 overall, he was definitely a late-round gamble, but it's looking like a brilliant one.

Fuller's Making Big Plays: Drew Lock Found Out The Hard Way

If you needed proof that Fuller isn't just looking the part, SI's Michael Hanich reported the rookie has been absolutely standing out at offseason workouts. This kid already fits the "Dark Side Defense" mindset Mike Macdonald is building, being an aggressive defender with a competitive, physical approach at the catch point. The highlight reel moment? Fuller was seen picking quarterback Drew Lock during a team period, returning it for a significant amount of yards! Get out of here! This happened while Fuller was in zone coverage, a scheme he's apparently super comfortable with. For a guy who only had one interception in his entire college career, this early NFL pick is a huge sign of things to come. NFL.com's Lance Zierlein even floated the idea of a conversion to safety if Fuller can become a more dedicated tackler, showing his versatility.

What This Means For Our Cornerback Room

Let's be real, a seventh-round pick has to fight for every inch on a deep roster like ours. The Seahawks drafted three cornerbacks in the 2026 Draft, with Fuller being one of two seventh-rounders. Third-round rookie Julian Neal is likely to get the first crack at significant playing time, but Fuller is absolutely pushing hard for a role. He's got advanced eyes in coverage and plays a technique-forward game. Melo wouldn't be surprised at all if Fuller makes the team, and honestly, after hearing about his early performance, neither would we. Keep your eyes peeled for this kid. If he keeps performing like this, he's going to force Macdonald and the coaching staff to give him a serious look. The future of our secondary is looking exciting!

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.