Matt Calkins: Did Seahawks improve roster in NFL draft? Maybe this year they didn't need to.

Matt Calkins, The Seattle Times on Apr 27, 2026

Published in Football

By clicking submit, I authorize Arcamax and its affiliates to: (1) use, sell, and share my information for marketing purposes, including cross-context behavioral advertising, as described in our Privacy Policy , (2) add to information that I provide with other information like interests inferred from web page views, or data lawfully obtained from data brokers, such as past purchase or location data, or publicly available data, (3) contact me or enable others to contact me by email or other means with offers for different types of goods and services, and (4) retain my information while I am engaging with marketing messages that I receive and for a reasonable amount of time thereafter. I understand I can opt out at any time through an email that I receive, or by clicking here

RENTON, Wash. — You can't judge a Seattle Seahawks draft by John Schneider's enthusiasm because it's the same every spring. The team's general manager is always beaming after the three-day process in a manner that suggests another Super Bowl is imminent.

It's doubtful this is exclusive to him. It's PR 101 to put up a strong-as-steel front after the draft. But this year feels a whole lot different from last year, when the Seahawks' future looked uncertain. The vibe then seemed, "Wait and see." The vibe now is more, "Wait till you see this."

Remember, two Aprils ago, the Seahawks were not only coming off a playoff-free season, but they had traded away their starting quarterback in Geno Smith and (seemingly) most dynamic receiver in DK Metcalf. It didn't quite feel like a rebuild given how Sam Darnold was on the roster and how Jaxon Smith-Njigba had produced a subtly stellar sophomore season. But few thought the Seahawks were Super Bowl-bound — and it seemed the top players they selected (guard Grey Zabel in the first round and defensive back Nick Emmanwori in the second) needed to pan out if a postseason run would be possible.

What transpired, of course, was an out-of-nowhere five-month stretch of dominance that resulted in the Seahawks' second Lombardi Trophy. A title defense? That wouldn't be out of nowhere. In fact, nowhere but the top would be satisfactory.

At this time last year, people wondered whether Darnold would be able to lead a team to a victory when the lights were brightest and whether JSN could shine as the No. 1 option. They wondered if the offensive line would hold up and if the defense could level up from solid to spectacular.

Turns out that just about everything this organization's fans, leaders and players hoped would happen did happen. The million or so flooding downtown Seattle last February confirmed as much.

And though this led to a less-than-sexy draft, it begot a more-than-ready roster. The Seahawks are loaded, pure and simple.

Of course, Schneider isn't about to communicate that he had any doubt about this team at this point last year — very likely because he didn't have much of it. He and his staff have proved themselves as exemplary scouts and decision-makers who have kept the franchise relevant nearly every season since 2010. So when I asked about comparing his confidence going into OTAs this year vs. last year, he politely downplayed any reservations he might have had in 2025.

"After the draft I felt really good about our team. I mean, I feel really good about our team," Schneider said. "I just have a natural anxiety that drives us to constantly be on the lookout for how we can improve in every aspect of our operation, that's basically it.

So did the Seahawks improve? Who knows. Grading drafts is one of the more futile exercises in sports media. Nobody, including any of the 32 GMs or head coaches, knows for sure if they hit each year.

What we do know, though, is that the Seahawks lost a running back in Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III and replaced him with Notre Dame's Jadarian Price in the first round. We know that they lost safety Coby Bryant and replaced him with TCU's Bud Clark in the second. We know that they lost cornerback Riq Woolen and replaced him with Arkansas' Julian Neal in the third.

We know that right guard Anthony Bradford was their weakest starter on the offensive line last year, and that Seattle traded up to get guard Beau Stephens in the fifth round Saturday. We know they traded out to get four more picks — receiver Emmanuel Henderon (sixth round), cornerback Andre Fuller (sixth), defensive tackle Deven Eastern (seventh) and cornerback Michael Dansby (seventh).

And though it would be a bonanza for this team if most of those selections were productive, this year is different in that they don't need to be for Seattle to excel.

There are still some small gaps that the Seahawks might try to fill through trades or free agency before the season begins — most notably at edge. There was no real replacement for departed linebacker Boye Mafe (now with the Bengals). Schneider said Saturday that he might look into adding in that area after Monday. Either way, there's a reason the Seattle is among the favorites to repeat.

Going back-to-back is among the toughest accomplishments in team sports, but the Seahawks are in a position to do just that. Last year at this time, they hoped they'd acquired the talent to take the next step. Now, they know they have the talent to take all comers.

____