The Seahawks may not have had the smoothest ride this season, but when it comes to individual recognition, Seattle’s roster is turning heads across the league. Six Seahawks have been named to the 2026 Pro Bowl, tying the second-highest total in franchise history - a testament to the talent packed into this group. Quarterback Sam Darnold, rookie wideout Jaxon Smith-Njigba, defensive tackle Leonard Williams, cornerback Devon Witherspoon, return specialist Rashid Shaheed, and defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence all earned nods, and every one of them earned it.
And the accolades didn’t stop there. Four Seahawks made the All-Pro list, with Smith-Njigba picking up first-team honors in his debut season - a rare feat for a rookie wide receiver. Williams and Witherspoon landed on the second team, joined by punter Michael Dickson and linebacker Ernest Jones IV.
With the playoffs just days away and a showdown against the 49ers looming, the Seahawks are entering the postseason with momentum - and a roster that’s getting national recognition. But what’s just as exciting as who made the Pro Bowl and All-Pro lists this year is who didn’t - at least not yet. Because if you’ve been watching Seattle closely, two names stand out as future All-Pro locks: Byron Murphy II and Nick Emmanwori.
Byron Murphy II: A Breakout Season in the Trenches
Byron Murphy II took a major leap in his second NFL season, showing exactly why Seattle is so high on him. Last year, he put up modest numbers - 36 tackles, 0.5 sacks, and two tackles for loss in 14 games - but this season, Murphy flipped the switch.
Playing in all 17 games, he racked up 62 total tackles, seven tackles for loss, and seven sacks. That’s not just improvement - that’s a breakout.
What jumps off the page is the sack total. Going from a half-sack as a rookie to seven in Year 2 is the kind of jump that gets you noticed around the league.
He’s not just eating up blocks anymore - he’s blowing past them. Murphy's blend of size, quickness, and motor is starting to translate into real production, and if this trajectory holds, it’s only a matter of time before his name gets called in Pro Bowl and All-Pro conversations.
Seattle’s defensive front has been one of the most complete units in football this year, and Murphy’s emergence is a big reason why. He’s becoming a true disruptor - the kind of interior presence that can wreck a game plan. If Year 2 was this good, Year 3 could be something special.
Nick Emmanwori: Rookie Impact, Veteran Poise
Then there’s Nick Emmanwori - the Seahawks’ second-round pick who’s already playing like a seasoned pro. Taken 37th overall, Emmanwori has quickly become one of the most intriguing young defenders in the league. Injuries cost him four games, but in the 14 he did play, he put together a rookie campaign that should have Defensive Rookie of the Year voters paying attention.
Emmanwori finished the season with 81 total tackles - 56 of them solo - along with eight tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, 11 pass breakups, and a pick. That’s a full stat line for a first-year player, especially one who’s been asked to play multiple roles in the secondary. Whether he sticks at safety or continues to flex into nickel corner duties, Emmanwori has the instincts, physicality, and football IQ to thrive anywhere on the field.
What really stands out is his ability to finish plays. Those 56 solo tackles aren’t just clean-up duty - they’re evidence of a player who can diagnose, close, and bring guys down in space. That’s rare for a rookie, and even rarer for one who’s still learning the nuances of multiple positions.
Seattle’s secondary has long been known for its hard-hitting, playmaking identity, and Emmanwori looks like the next in that lineage. If he stays healthy, it’s hard to imagine a future where he’s not racking up Pro Bowl invites and All-Pro nods.
The Future Is Bright in Seattle
The Seahawks are heading into the playoffs with a roster that’s not just talented - it’s deep, young, and still ascending. Veterans like Leonard Williams and DeMarcus Lawrence are setting the tone, while rising stars like Smith-Njigba, Witherspoon, Murphy, and Emmanwori are proving the pipeline is alive and well.
This year’s Pro Bowl and All-Pro selections are a reflection of what Seattle has built - a balanced, physical, and increasingly dominant team on both sides of the ball. But if you’re looking ahead, keep an eye on Murphy and Emmanwori.
The spotlight might not be fully on them yet, but it’s coming. And when it does, don’t be surprised - they’ve been earning it all along.