One 2026 NFL Draft scenario for the Seattle Seahawks has continued to gain steam at the beginning of draft week — a trade back scenario for Mike Macdonald and the defending Super Bowl champions.
The Athletic’s Michael-Shawn Dugar was the latest pundit to explore the possibility Tuesday. Dugar predicted the Seahawks to use their relationship with former offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak and trade down in a deal with the Las Vegas Raiders.
In the trade proposal, the Seahawks received the No. 36 overall pick and No. 117 for the final first-round selection.
“Once upon a time, Klint Kubiak’s Raiders had two first-round picks in this draft. Then, the Maxx Crosby trade fell through. In this scenario, the Raiders jump into the back into the first round and make a second selection after presumably taking quarterback Fernando Mendoza No. 1,” wrote Dugar.
“The 32nd pick has value because it is the last chance for a team to acquire a player with a fifth-year option in his contract, which can be useful when drafting a quarterback. Teams trade up for other positions as well, though. For example, the Carolina Panthers moved up one spot in 2024 to select wide receiver Xavier Legette 32nd.”
Dugar then predicted the Seahawks to use their 2026 NFL Draft capital to address their biggest remaining roster weaknesses. First — cornerback and running back.
Mike Macdonald’s Seahawks Predicted to Add CB Chris Johnson at No. 36 Overall
GettyThe Athletic’s Michael-Shawn Dugar projected the Seattle Seahawks to trade back from No. 32 overall in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
After the trade back, Dugar saw the Seahawks first filling their hole at cornerback.
San Diego State’s Chris Johnson is a fringe first-round pick. At No. 36, the Seahawks wouldn’t have a fifth-year option in Johnson’s rookie contract. But they would land the cornerback with extra value and possess another Day 3 pick.
NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah ranked Johnson the No. 40 overall prospect on his 2026 NFL Draft big board.
“Johnson has excellent height, bulk and movement skills for his position,” wrote Jeremiah. “In press coverage, he doesn’t use his hands to reroute the receiver, but he has very quick feet and he’s fluid to open up/run.
“Coaches at SDSU rave about his character and toughness.”
Cornerback is one of Seattle’s biggest remaining needs because former starter Riq Woolen left in 2026 NFL free agency.
Seahawks Projected to Replace Kenneth Walker in Second Round
GettyNFL pundits have argued the Seattle Seahawks still haven’t properly replaced Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker.
With the addition pick from the Raiders, Dugar slotted defensive tackle Kaleb Procter to Seattle at No. 117 overall.
But before that, the Seahawks insider had the team addressing their hole at running back.
At No. 64 overall, Seattle selected Arkansas’s Mike Washington Jr. in Dugar’s mock draft.
“If Washington is available to Seattle, the team would be adding an explosive player who produced 16 plays of 20-plus yards last season and ran the 40-yard dash in 4.33 seconds,” wrote Dugar. “At the combine, he measured 6-1 and 223 pounds. At that size, he can give the Seahawks some pop in short-yardage situations in addition to delivering big plays.”
Macdonald and Seahawks general manager John Schneider have stressed how much confidence they have in the running backs already on their roster. The team signed Emanuel Wilson in NFL free agency.
But Dugar doesn’t see Wilson as the true answer in Seattle’s backfield. Instead, he views Wilson as giving the Seahawks the ability to target a running back later in the 2026 NFL Draft rather than at No. 32.
With Wilson in the fold, Seattle can trade back, acquire more draft capital and target a back such as Washington on Day 2.
Including Wilson, the Seahawks have seven running backs on their offseason roster. But it remains one of the team’s biggest weaknesses with Walker gone.
Other than Wilson, Seattle has Zach Charbonnet, George Holani, Kenny McIntosh, Cam Akers, Velus Jones Jr. and Jacardia Wright on its roster.
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