The Seahawks’ rookie class finally gave them something to feel good about in Week 9.
After a rough stretch for Seattle’s 2026 draft group, the 17-3 win over the Arizona Cardinals stood out as the best showing yet from the young players. The Seahawks are trying to build on that result as they head to Las Vegas in Week 10 to face the Raiders, and the hope is that the rookies keep trending in the same direction.
The biggest reason for that optimism was first-round pick Jadarian Price. He didn’t pile up huge rushing numbers, finishing with 24 yards on nine carries, but he made his mark as a receiver. Price led the team with 54 receiving yards on four catches, and that kind of versatility is starting to show why Seattle sees him as one of its most dynamic offensive pieces.
Price wasn’t the only rookie to see the field, though the rest of the group had limited roles. Cornerback Avery Smith logged six special teams reps in Week 9.
That followed three special teams snaps against the Bears and eight more in the 20-3 home win over the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 7. He still hasn’t played a defensive snap this season, but the Seahawks are at least getting him game-day experience.
Seattle also made a move to shore up the defensive front by elevating defensive tackle Deven Eastern from the practice squad. The team was missing veteran defensive tackles Leonard Williams and Brandon Pili, and that situation could continue. Eastern has put himself in position to be a rotational option if Seattle needs fresh legs inside.
On the offensive line, guard Beau Stephens is still on the 53-man roster and remains in the mix as one of the better backup interior linemen. The Seahawks moved on from Christian Hayne after trading Quenton Nelson, and Hayne is now recovering from minor surgery. Stephens has the background and upside to become a starting guard, but he still needs development time.
Not every rookie situation is moving forward. Cornerback Julian Neal remains on injured reserve while recovering from a severe hamstring injury, and there’s no clear timetable for his return, if he comes back this season at all. Seattle also has only five rookies left on the practice squad after releasing Gary Smith III and promoting Eastern.
The remaining drafted players on the practice squad are wide receiver Emmanuel Henderson Jr., cornerback Michael Dansby and cornerback Andre Fuller. The two undrafted rookies there are edge rusher Aidan Hubbard and defensive tackle Cole Brevard, who was added recently.
One rookie who could have helped this group right away is second-round safety Bud Clark, but that’s off the table for now. Clark’s broken ankle ended his season, and with Julian Love and Ty Okada playing well at safety, Nick Emmanwori performing at a Pro-Bowl level, and the cornerbacks holding up, there isn’t an obvious opening for him anyway. For now, Seattle will have to wait until the offseason to find out where he fits.
In Other News...
Seahawks Suddenly Have A Bigger Problem Than Just Sundays Opponent
The Seahawks opened the week with more than just a matchup to sort through, as their first injury report ahead of the Raiders brought a mixed bag on both sides of the ball. Backup quarterback Drew Lock is working through elbow and oblique issues, though he is making progress and could be in line to start. On the positive side, Rashid Shaheed was back to full participation, giving Seattle at least one healthy offensive piece as the team begins to settle in for the week.
The bigger concern is up front and on defense, where Quenton Nelson and Charles Cross both sat out because of injuries, while Leonard Williams remained out with a stinger. Derick Hall was limited by a back injury and Uchenna Nwosu was limited with an ankle issue, leaving Seattle with several key names still in question before facing a Raiders team that appears to be trending toward near full strength. [Read more 🡒]
Seahawks Still Need A Breakout And One Young Player Has Opening
The Seahawks have spent much of this season waiting for one of their younger players to turn promise into production, and injuries around the roster have made that search a little harder. Even so, there are still chances for someone to seize a larger role, especially with the offense looking for another spark beyond the steady work already coming from Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
Jadarian Price is one of the names worth watching this week. The rookie running back has an opening to make a real impression against a weak rushing defense, and Seattle could use a breakout from a player still early in his NFL journey. If he can take advantage, it would give the Seahawks another useful piece at a time when they are still trying to identify who can help them most down the stretch. [Read more 🡒]
Seahawks Pass Rush Has A Chance To Wreck A New Raiders Plan
The Raiders are turning the page to rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza after moving on from Kirk Cousins, and that gives Seattles defense a fresh target heading into the matchup. Byron Murphy II and Mike Macdonald both sounded confident the Seahawks can make life difficult for Mendoza in his first NFL start, which is exactly the kind of test Seattles front likes to present when a young passer is thrown into the fire.
Klint Kubiak has already praised Mendozas preparation, but the Seahawks will be trying to turn a well-studied week into a long afternoon once the game starts. For Seattle, the bigger question is whether that pass rush can do more than just hurry a rookie - whether it can disrupt the Raiders new plan before it has a chance to settle in. [Read more 🡒]