Seahawks Seen as Likely Trade-Down Team in NFL Draft After Key Roster Losses

ESPN's Field Yates predicts Seattle will look to trade back from No. 32 overall pick to address multiple needs.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 8:37pm

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A cubist-style painting featuring fragmented, geometric shapes in navy blue, neon green, and silver, conceptually representing the challenges the Seattle Seahawks face in addressing multiple roster needs through the upcoming draft.The Seahawks' roster losses create a complex puzzle for the team to solve in the 2026 NFL Draft.Seattle Today

The Seattle Seahawks enter the 2026 NFL Draft with the final pick of the first round, but ESPN draft analyst Field Yates believes the team is more likely to trade down rather than stay put. Yates cites the Seahawks' limited draft capital, with just four total selections, as well as the team's significant roster losses in free agency, including running back Kenneth Walker III, cornerback Riq Woolen, and edge rusher Boye Mafe. Trading down from No. 32 could allow Seattle to acquire more mid-round picks to address multiple needs across the roster.

Why it matters

The Seahawks are coming off a championship season but have seen key contributors depart in free agency, creating holes at running back, cornerback, and pass rush. With limited draft capital, trading down from the No. 32 overall pick could give Seattle more flexibility to find replacements and rebuild depth across the roster.

The details

ESPN's Field Yates believes the Seahawks are the team most likely to trade down from the final pick of the first round in the 2026 NFL Draft. Seattle currently holds just four total draft selections, the fewest in the league, and has lost several starters in free agency, including running back Kenneth Walker III, cornerback Riq Woolen, and edge rusher Boye Mafe. Trading down from No. 32 could allow the Seahawks to acquire additional mid-round picks to address these roster needs rather than using their lone first-round selection on a single player.

  • The 2026 NFL Draft is scheduled for April 24-26, 2026.

The players

Field Yates

An ESPN draft analyst who has identified the Seahawks as a likely trade-down team in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Kenneth Walker III

A former Seahawks running back who departed in free agency, creating a need in the Seattle backfield.

Riq Woolen

A former Seahawks cornerback who left in free agency, thinning out Seattle's secondary.

Boye Mafe

A former Seahawks edge rusher who signed elsewhere in free agency, creating a hole in the team's pass rush.

John Schneider

The general manager of the Seattle Seahawks, who will be tasked with addressing the team's roster needs through the draft.

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What they’re saying

“The Seahawks do not need a flashy draft-night headline nearly as much as they need flexibility. With only four picks, every miss would hurt. Trading down from No. 32 could allow Seattle to stay in range for a useful player while adding another selection that helps address running back, cornerback or the pass rush.”

— Field Yates, ESPN Draft Analyst

What’s next

The Seahawks will have to weigh their options leading up to the 2026 NFL Draft, as they look to balance adding top-end talent with building depth across the roster. The team's decision on whether to trade down from the No. 32 overall pick could have a significant impact on their draft strategy.

The takeaway

The Seahawks' limited draft capital and key roster losses in free agency make trading down from the No. 32 overall pick a logical move. By acquiring additional mid-round selections, Seattle can address multiple needs and rebuild depth rather than focusing on a single premium prospect.