Tag Archives: John Schneider

Wrapping up the draft with insider info

Everyone knows John Schneider tried to trade down from pick 32 in the draft and ended up stuck because five of the six picks in front of the Seahawks changed hands in a flurry of deals.

The Seahawks picked Jadarian Price because he was “standing alone” on their board – Chris Johnson had been their other top target, but Miami moved up to take him 27th.

Some more insider nuggets about the Seahawks’ draft have emerged, based on reports from Brady Henderson (via both his story and his podcast chat with Rob Staton) and John Boyle (embedded Seahawks.com reporter).

Continue reading Wrapping up the draft with insider info

‘Just dripping with instinct’: What they’re saying about Bud Clark

When the Seahawks drafted ballhawking TCU safety Bud Clark at 64 overall, John Schneider compared his energy to that of Devon Witherspoon.

“Mike (Macdonald) and I were talking about the personalities throughout the process,” Schneider said. “Like, man, if we put Bud and Spoon in the same room, what’s going to happen?”

The Seahawks expect big things from Clark, a big-play guy (15 college interceptions) who runs a 4.41 40-yard dash and can play everywhere in the secondary.

Here’s what people have said about Clark since he was drafted:

Continue reading ‘Just dripping with instinct’: What they’re saying about Bud Clark

Still chasing an edge

The one position the Seahawks missed out on in the draft was edge rusher, but there are a bunch of veteran options out there and the Seahawks will backfill Boye Mafe’s position soon enough.

Dante Fowler Jr. is the obvious favorite, simply because he is known to have visited the Seahawks before the draft and has a history with DC Aden Durde. Some expect the signing this week.

In the draft, the Hawks picked Jadarian Price at 32, passing on all of the second-round edge rushers. At 64, Auburn’s Keyron Crawford was a definite option, but Seattle went with Bud Clark instead. There were no edge rushers worth taking at 99, where the team picked Julian Neal.

So it’s on to the vets. Fans also are talking up aging thirtysomethings like Von Miller, Cam Jordan and Jadeveon Clowney as well. There also is scuttlebutt about a trade perhaps this summer, but who would that be?

Continue reading Still chasing an edge

Pending one addition, roster looks stronger after draft

The Seahawks were down two starters and two top reserves as they entered the draft, and they spent the weekend backfilling at running back, safety and cornerback while making .

In the end, we think they might have upgraded over Kenneth Walker III, Coby Bryant and Riq Woolen with Jadarian Price, Bud Clark and Julian Neal.

They also made a smart move to give up a 2027 fourth-rounder to get into this fifth round and grab Beau Stephens, who should push and potentially replace Anthony Bradford at right guard.

Continue reading Pending one addition, roster looks stronger after draft

Docs and ‘Uncs’: NFL execs weigh in on aging rookie classes

Treydan Stukes, the hot “Rams beater” prospect a lot of fans would like to see the Seahawks draft this week, was born on Sept. 11, 2001 (yes, 9/11). That means he will turn 25 two days after the Seahawks open the 2026 NFL season.

Stukes, who was called “Unc” by younger Arizona teammates, is one of the poster children for the trend of aging NFL draft classes.

As John Schneider cracked, “We have some guys who have been in school for six years. They’re called doctors.”

An apropos joke considering this overall aging of rookies is partly a product of Covid.

Schneider seems to think the trend will reverse. “It’s my understanding this should be the last year of it,” he said this week.

But other NFL execs think the aging of rookie classes will continue as long as NIL rules college football.

Continue reading Docs and ‘Uncs’: NFL execs weigh in on aging rookie classes

‘No secret’: Hawks want to trade down

“It’s no secret with us, guys. We have four picks, so we’ll be looking to move back.” – John Schneider

It’s draft week – finally!

Free agency slowed to a trickle five weeks ago, so it has been a long, slow wait for the NFL’s Christmas Day. But it is upon us.

This is considered one of the lesser-talented drafts in several years, which John Schneider anticipated when he traded his fourth- and fifth-round picks for Rashid Shaheed last season. The Hawks have four picks (32, 64, 96, 188) as the week begins, and their top positional needs are running back, edge rusher, defensive back and interior offensive line.

The Hawks also need to focus on finding defenders who can help them stop their biggest nemesis, the Rams. That could mean an edge rusher who gets “quick wins,” as Mike Macdonald has said, or maybe another Swiss Army knife coverage guy in the mold of Nick Emmanwori.

Schneider announced Monday that he plans to try to trade down from 32 – obviously to add a pick and get better value for his first selection. Beyond that, though, there is much debate about whether the Seahawks should use their top pick on Notre Dame running back Jadarian Price or a top defensive player.

Rather than putting our breakdown in one giant post, we have broken it out into the following sections:

Quibbling over Price

Simpson the bait at 32?

Veteran trades: A running back?

Who are the Rams beaters?

Simpson the bait at 32?

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is part of our draft preview, broken out into several posts for easier digestion.

John Schneider has made it clear he wants to move down from 32.

The last time the Seahawks drafted 32nd, back in 2014, they dangled a quarterback (Teddy Bridgewater) as bait to trade down. They could do the same thing this time.

Alabama’s Ty Simpson, the No. 2 QB in the draft, is considered a borderline first-round pick.

An NFL personnel guy told Jonathan Jones of CBS: “In a typical year I think you could get (Simpson) in the second, but this year I think if you want him you’d better be willing to take him in the late first or he could be gone.”

Continue reading Simpson the bait at 32?

Will Hawks draft for the future of the front four?

This is the least important draft for the Seahawks since 2021. Other than running back, they have no roster holes for 2026 — and they are set to make a very strong run at a Super Bowl repeat.

But what about 2027 and beyond? That is where this draft comes in.

The Hawks have many questions after 2026 about their defensive front: Leonard Williams, Uchenna Nwosu and Derick Hall will be free agents, DeMarcus Lawrence is expected to retire and Jarran Reed likely will be released ahead of his age 34 season.

They need to figure out who will be playing around Byron Murphy II after 2026.

Continue reading Will Hawks draft for the future of the front four?

Time for Schneider to prove he can pick well from the bottom

A lot of fans think John Schneider has suddenly gotten a lot better at drafting over the past four years. But that’s easy to say when he has been picking in the top 20. 

In two weeks, we will find out whether he has gotten any better when his first pick comes outside the top 20.

Over his 16 drafts as Seattle general manager, Schneider has drafted eight guys in the top 20 and made seven initial picks outside the top 20. (He has thrice traded his first-round picks for veterans.)

Continue reading Time for Schneider to prove he can pick well from the bottom

‘You can find’ running backs: Cheap Band-Aids or pay a bigger ‘Price’?

“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.

Continue reading ‘You can find’ running backs: Cheap Band-Aids or pay a bigger ‘Price’?