Super Bowl champion Seahawks bolster defense and address holes with 8 draft picks

Jawing Julian

The Seahawks parted ways with one outspoken cornerback via free agency in Riq Woolen, who agreed to a deal with Philadelphia in March. They added another in the draft, when they selected cornerback Julian Neal of Arkansas in the third round. Neal proclaimed the Seahawks will go “back to back” in 2026 and secure the franchise's third Super Bowl title before explaining why he believes he is the most physical cornerback in the draft. “I use my arms to my advantage. I use my length,” Neal said. “I use my availability. I’ve never gotten hurt, I’ve never missed a game in college from being hurt. I come down (and) I hit something. I’m going to go up and get the ball.” Schneider was a bit surprised by how outgoing Neal was with reporters during a post-draft conference call. In the Seahawks’ pre-draft scouting process, they found Neal to be confident but quiet. Neal had four interceptions, 17 passes defended and 61 tackles in his four-year collegiate career. “I think there’s clearly a competitor and a confidence in there,” Macdonald said. “Takes a lot of pride in how physical he is at the corner position. He’s played safety as well.”

Solidifying with Stephens

The Seahawks bolstered their offensive line last spring when they drafted Grey Zabel, who started every regular-season game at left guard. They added to their depth on Saturday by trading up to select guard Beau Stephens of Iowa in the fifth round. Stephens was a first-team All-American. In Seattle, he will join former college teammate Mason Richman, a seventh-round selection last year. “When he was back down training in Iowa City, he was telling me how cool it was and (how) cool (offensive line coach John) Benton was,” Stephens said. “We’re going to be friends for life, so it’s just awesome to have a guy who’s going to be there at my wedding this summer, to have him around. He was kind of a big brother for me in college.” Stephens started 35 of 43 games in college, 10 at right guard and 25 at left guard. He looks forward to operating within Seattle’s run-blocking scheme, though it is unclear what position he'll play.

Adding depth at receiver

For the second straight season and third time in four years, the Seahawks selected a wide receiver, this time taking Emmanuel Henderson Jr. of Kansas in the sixth round. Henderson started his collegiate career at Alabama before joining the Jayhawks, for whom he was a third-team all Big-12 selection as a wide receiver and first-team pick as a return specialist. “Special teams is a big part of my game (along) with my wide receiver ability,” Henderson said. “It’s a great combo for them to have.” Henderson led the Jayhawks in receiving yards last season with 766, and tied for the team lead with 45 receptions and five touchdowns. He joins a receiver room headlined by Jaxon Smith-Njigba, the AP Offensive Player of the Year. Henderson provides some insurance and depth in the return game for the Seahawks, who also have wide receiver Rashid Shaheed and Tory Horton, who is out with a shin injury he sustained as a rookie.

The rest of the picks

The Seahawks made three picks in the seventh round, acquiring cornerback Andre Fuller of Toledo, defensive tackle Deven Eastern of Minnesota and cornerback Michael Dansby of Arizona.

No edges needed

The Seahawks addressed their most pressing needs except at edge rusher. Boye Mafe, who had 20 sacks in four seasons for Seattle, signed a three-year, $60 million deal with the Cincinnati Bengals in free agency, and the Seahawks did not find an immediate replacement in the draft. Schneider said the Seahawks may add a player via free agency on Monday. Macdonald pointed to a number of players already on the roster who could replace Mafe’s production, including linebackers Jared Ivey, Jamie Sheriff, Connor O’Toole and Jalan Gaines. “We’re really excited about those guys,” Macdonald said. \\\_ AP NFL: