Bud Clark should fit seamlessly into Seahawks defense

The Seattle Seahawks used the 64th overall selection in the 2026 NFL Draft on safety Bud Clark. Mike Macdonald's defense has undergone somewhat sweeping changes in the defensive backfield. Clark feels like a Seahawks player through and through, and he should have a massive impact as a rookie.

The Seahawks lost cornerback Riq Woolen and safety Coby Bryant to unrestricted free agency. Without any major veterans arriving, Clark was arguably the Seahawks' biggest offseason addition at defensive back. John Schneider drafted several defensive backs, but Clark was the only one who had a premium asset (top-64 pick) used on him.

Devon Witherspoon and Josh Jobe will start at boundary cornerback for Macdonald. Sophomore Nick Emmanwori has massive expectations in Year Two and appears set to continue his almost position-less "BIG NICKEL" role. Julian Love will be the star at safety. Could Clark start opposite him?

Early depth charts have Ty Okada replacing Bryant at safety in the starting lineup. The underrated safety earned 742 snaps last season as a rotational fill-in. That certainly gives him the upper hand entering training camp.

Clark is a versatile defensive back with a ton of upside. He could play similar roles to Emmanwori, allowing Macdonald to mix up personnel and confuse opposing offenses. Clark was excellent at the Senior Bowl, showcasing leadership and communication skills. He's an experienced prospect who registered 56 tackles, seven pass breakups, and four interceptions this past season.