“That’s a position that you can find guys.” — John Schneider on running backs   

Along with everyone else, we probably have been a little too caught up in how the Seahawks are going to replace both Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet in 2026.

A lot of mock drafts have them reaching for Notre Dame’s Jadarian Price at No. 32. Some fans have been wishing for a trade for Miami’s De’Von Achane or for Arkansas’ Mike Washington Jr. in the draft. We have suggested Chuba Hubbard as a cheaper trade option.

John Schneider said on his radio show last week that “you can find” running backs and they are still looking. This week has been proof of that with the Seahawks reportedly attending the Notre Dame Pro Day to see Price, hosting former Steelers first-rounder Najee Harris (recovering from a torn Achilles) and also bringing in a couple of rookie UDFA options on top-30 visits.

They are exploring all options.

Some really want to see them draft Price, who is one of just three backs expected to be picked in the first two days (his Notre Dame teammate, Jeremiyah Love, is considered a top-five prospect).

But we think it is highly possible that Schneider is OK with a Band-Aid on the position, maybe because he plans to replace Charbonnet with … Charbonnet.

Recovering from an ACL injury suffered in the postseason, Charbs is expected to miss perhaps half the 2026 season. Fans are looking at that – along with Walker’s departure to Kansas City — as the glass being half empty, but what if Schneider sees it as half full?

Like, maybe Charbs beats the midseason time frame. And, even if he doesn’t, maybe Schneider also is thinking that Charbs will be an easy re-sign on a prove-it deal for 2027 (or even a two-year deal showing confidence in him).

The Seahawks signed Green Bay’s RB2, Emanuel Wilson, and Schneider and Mike Macdonald might be satisfied with him, George Holani and maybe Harris leading the way early in 2026 – until Charbs returns.

Harris was a 1,000-yard rusher in each of his four seasons in Pittsburgh, although he has a career per-carry average of just 3.9 yards. After signing with the Chargers, he was injured in Week 3 last season. If it worked out with Seattle, he would be a low-cost addition (and would not affect the COMPetition).

Rashid Shaheed also could factor at running back, playing a kind of Deebo Samuel role for new OC Brian Fleury.

In 2027, the Hawks could have Charbs back again, plus a rookie from a draft that is expected to be much better at running back than this one.

First pick between RB and Edge?

The Seahawks’ choice with their first selection might end up being between Price and an edge rusher.

The Hawks have done a lot of research on a deep secondary class, notably showing interest in San Diego State corner Chris Johnson and South Carolina safety Jalon Kilgore. But corner is a deep position, all the way to Round 6, and Kilgore likely could be had in the third round.

If the Hawks cannot move off 32, maybe they go with the best pass rusher. But, if they can slide down into the second round, maybe that is where Price comes into play.

But then all of the worthwhile pass rushers might be gone by the end of Round 2. Schneider might even want to bail off pick 64.

It could look like this (with no pass rusher drafted in the first two days, we made a deal for Minnesota star Jonathan Greenard):

Safety net

Ty Okada figures to replace Coby Bryant as the split safety opposite Julian Love. But that doesn’t have to be for just 2026. Okada, who has just one accrued year toward free agency, will be just an exclusive-rights free agent again next year, then an RFA in 2028. So Macdonald has him for potentially three more seasons – whether he is a starter or top backup.

Safety is still a position of need/desire, which is why we gave Kilgore to the Hawks in the above mock. 

Front and center

The Hawks could lose five of their top six defensive front players in 2027. Even if Leonard Williams, Derick Hall and/or Uchenna Nwosu come back (while Jarran Reed is cut and DeMarcus Lawrence retires), the Hawks need some young blood up front.

If they stay at 32, we think that is what they will do. That could mean an edge player such as T.J. Parker, Zion Young or Cashius Howell. Or a big man such as Lee Hunter, Kayden McDonald or Christen Miller.

If the Hawks drop into the 40s and do not want Price (or if he is gone), Malachi Lawrence or Gabe Jacas could make sense.

If they wait until 64, the Michigan pair of Derrick Moore and Jaishawn Barham might be options. Or tackles Domonique Orange and Gracen Halton.

The Hawks would be well served to get two front-five guys with their first couple of picks. That would give them great depth in 2026 and potential successors for 2027.

Here’s a mock where they add major speed on the edges with both Howell and Barham: