The best recent Seahawks draft decisions by John Schneider

2024: A.J. Barner in the fourth round

This is not a commentary on Byron Murphy, who has proven to be a phenomenal player at a position of little redundancy on the roster. But Jared verse was taken three picks later, also a phenomenal player. No, the real Schneidering happened in the fourth round, with a player many claimed was a run-blocking specialist at tight end. That “specialist” now has 82 receptions and an impressive 10 TDs in his first two seasons. *And* he’s a plus run blocker. For comparison, Will Dissly had 76 receptions and 9 TD in his first *four* seasons with Seattle. Barner caught the lone touchdown in the Super Bowl, wears hilarious things to parades, and got a little bit of Pro Bowl momentum of his own. He looks to be one of the best picks in the entire second half of 2024.

2025: The entire package that led to Nick Emmanwori

Remember:

• Traded Geno Smith for a third
• Traded DK Metcalf for a second
• Sat at 18 to take similar talent but higher need in Grey Zabel
• Sweated out the remainder of Thursday night
• Used the Metcalf 2nd (52) and their original 3rd (82) to move up to 35 and take Emmanwori On the other side of that season, Geno Smith fell off a Russell Wilson-sized cliff and Metcalf caught as many balls as he dropped before getting suspended for the end of the regular season. Nick Emmanwori became such an immediate force they started comparing prospects to “the next Emmanwori.”

2026: Prediction

Bud Clark is the next to from “who?” to “whoo!” Clark was virtually unknown to the Seahawk fanbase prior to last weekend. Not a popular mock draft target in the slightest. But Mike Macdonald has virtually not missed on elevating everyone in the secondary (except Riq Woolen), and Clark has the attitude and makeup to really pop. Excited for one of the better battles for a starting spot on this roster.

Bonus: Hiring Mike Macdonald

It’s not a draft decision, but it’s impacted the draft strategy and has been a home run nonetheless.