On paper, the Seattle Seahawks look every bit as dangerous as anyone entering the 2026 season, and that starts with a roster that’s stacked on both sides of the ball. With most of last year’s group back in place, Seattle doesn’t need much guesswork to figure out what it has. The talent is already there, and it runs deep.
That’s especially true on offense, where the Seahawks have a clear top end and enough firepower underneath it to keep defenses honest. Jaxon Smith-Njigba sits at No. 1 after leading the league in receiving yards last season, and there’s no reason to expect him to slow down now. He has already shown he belongs among the NFL’s best receivers, and another big year could push him into elite territory.
Charles Cross comes next, even without the flashy production that usually grabs headlines. His value shows up in the protection he gives on the blind side and in the stability he provides as the anchor of the offensive line. That kind of work doesn’t always jump off the stat sheet, but it matters plenty to Seattle’s offense.
Sam Darnold lands at No. 3.
The Seahawks don’t need him to be elite; they need him to be very good to great, steady, and careful with the football. He has already proven a lot of people wrong, and if he keeps that going, Seattle’s offense can be a nightmare for opponents.
Rashid Shaheed gives the Seahawks another dangerous layer. If Seattle uses him the way it plans to, his speed and versatility could force defenses into panic mode. He has the kind of explosiveness that can stretch a defense until it breaks.
The rookie in the mix is Jadarian Price, and the pressure is real. With Kenneth Walker III gone, Price has to step into a major role right away and become one of the Seahawks’ top offensive threats. If he does that, he could help push Seattle toward another Super Bowl run.
The defense is just as loaded, and it starts with Leonard Williams. His spot at No. 1 is described as undeniable, and for good reason.
He’s viewed as the best at his position in the league and the most elite player Seattle has, possibly on either side of the ball. He’s the heartbeat of the defense.
Devon Witherspoon follows as one of the NFL’s most versatile corners and one of Seattle’s biggest defensive pieces. With Riq Woolen gone, he becomes the leader of that secondary group. He brings speed, physicality, and the ability to shut down top receivers.
Nick Emmanwori gives Mike Macdonald a hybrid weapon to work with, and that matters. The coach loves the style of player Emmanwori is, and the safety’s presence makes life difficult for opposing offenses. He’s dangerous in the secondary and tough to pin down.
Ernest Jones IV brings more than toughness and experience at linebacker. He’s also one of the loudest leaders on the team and a strong example off the field. When he’s out there, he plays with energy, intelligence, and a fierce edge that keeps the defense moving.
Byron Murphy II rounds out the group after a huge leap from 0.5 sacks as a rookie to seven in his second season. That kind of growth has him trending toward All-Pro status, and his partnership with Williams gives Seattle a thunderous duo up front. It’s a big reason the defense carries the “The Dark Side” label.
In Other News...
Seahawks Just Invited A Serious Character Debate With This Signing
The Seahawks made a notable addition at cornerback in Terrion Arnold, a move that immediately drew more attention than most late roster tweaks. It is the kind of signing that says as much about how Seattle is balancing talent and risk as it does about the player himself, especially at a time when every roster spot carries extra weight and the team is still sorting out its long view in the secondary.
John Schneider said the organizations evaluation left it confident in Arnolds character, even with pending felony charges still hanging over the situation. For Seattle, the football fit is only part of the story now, because the signing brings a real off-field question into the foreground and leaves the Seahawks to answer whether they were comfortable enough with the background to make the move in the first place. [Read more 🡒]
Seahawks Suddenly Need A Familiar Answer In The Secondary
The Seahawks have brought back a familiar face at a position that has been under real strain. Veteran safety DAnthony Bell has rejoined Seattle on the practice squad, giving the team another experienced option after he spent most of the 2025 season in the building before short stops with the Panthers. For a secondary dealing with injuries to other players, the move offers a layer of stability and some much-needed insurance.
Bell already knows the system, which matters when a team is trying to patch together the back end on short notice. His return does not solve everything, but it gives Seattle a depth piece who can step in quickly if needed and keeps a player the coaching staff already knows close to the roster. [Read more 🡒]
Seahawks Already Have A New Pass Rush Question Brewing
With the Seahawks getting ready for their regular season opener against the Patriots, the long view is already starting to come into focus on defense. A recent mock draft from Justin Melo has Seattle landing Oregon edge defender Matayo Uiagalelei in the first round of the 2027 NFL Draft, a reminder that pass rush remains one of the most closely watched spots on the roster even as the new season begins.
Uiagaleleis profile is built around his ability to get after the quarterback, and he is expected to be a key piece for Oregon this fall. For Seattle, any projection that early brings the conversation back to the same familiar place: whether the Seahawks will need to keep investing at the top of the draft to keep their front four stocked with impact talent. [Read more 🡒]