Entering the 2026 offseason, the Seattle Seahawks ranked sixth in total cap space with around . Still, they shocked the world by not retaining any of their key free agents, including Kenneth Walker, Boye Mafe, Tariq ‘Riq’ Woolen, and Coby Bryant.
The Seahawks took a much more conservative route, keeping only key players like Rashid Shaheed and Josh Jobe.
But maybe this was the plan all along; after winning Super Bowl LX, many expected Seattle to retain the stars that helped get them to the biggest stage in all of football.
Instead, Seattle let them walk with the idea of building through the draft with guys that fit their philosophy.
Building Through the Draft
Entering the 2026-27 season, Seattle is set to receive five compensatory draft picks, one for every star they lost through free agency. But where’s the fifth compensatory pick coming from? They only lost four players worthy of receiving draft compensation.
This is because of the Rooney Rule, a league policy that gives teams losing a minority‑candidate executive to another team two third‑round picks over the next two drafts.
Nolan Teasley left Seattle to become the Minnesota Vikings’ GM in 2026. Which means under the Rooney Rule, Seattle will receive a 2027 third-round pick, a 2027 third-round pick, and a 2028 third-round pick.
While it is unknown how good their compensatory picks will be, they’re expected to obtain two fourth-round picks and two fifth-round picks, but depending on the size of their contract, their snap count, and any postseason awards, those picks can either gain value or diminish in value.
After all this, Seattle is projected to have an astounding 11 draft picks for the upcoming 2027 NFL Draft. This allows Seattle to fill any positions of need and take a shot on a guy they really like.
Since Seattle isn’t necessarily in rebuild mode, their roster doesn’t have many glaring holes.
Seahawks Built Themselves for the Future
The addition of an explosive wide receiver to pair with superstar Jaxon Smith-Njigba, additional edge rusher help, a superstar running back — potentially through a trade — along with offensive line and defensive back help, would take this roster to the next level.
Losing those superstars does more than give Seattle a little more draft capital that may or may not work out. It gives them the freedom and flexibility to re-sign or extend key players like Nick Emmanwori, Byron Murphy, Uchenna Nwosu, and newly acquired Quenton Nelson.
Another important thing to note is that after the 2026 season, Seattle only has one more year left on Sam Darnold‘s contract. But what’s important to note is that Darnold is currently guaranteed no money for 2027.
And after a rocky start to this season, there is a world where Seattle cuts Darnold, receives no dead cap for doing so, and gives project quarterback Jalen Milroe the start.
After starting 4-4 and slowly falling behind the 6-1 San Francisco 49ers, Seattle needs a late-season pickup to return to its former glory.
But even if they do end up falling apart come the end of the season, it’s not crazy to say if Seattle uses these draft picks well they could return back to their former glory and reach the Super Bowl.
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