Seahawks Go Interior Offensive Line in First Round of 2026 NFL Mock Draft

There are several areas the Seattle Seahawks could go in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft, but interior offensive line is a real position need that could be addressed.

Oregon’s Emmanuel Pregnon, center, takes the field before the game against Oklahoma State at Autzen. | Chris Pietsch/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The 2026 NFL Draft is a little more than three weeks away, and there is plenty of time for the Seattle Seahawks to finalize their draft strategies. There are several angles the Seahawks can go to ensure they fulfill as many of their position needs as they can. There aren’t many areas that the Seahawks will use the first-round pick on, but many NFL Mock Drafts have them picking a cornerback in the first round. There are more urgent positions for Seattle to address, including the interior offensive line. That is where CBS Sports’ Tom Fornelli has the Seahawks in the first round of his latest mock draft.

Seahawks go Guard in the First Round

Mar 1, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Oregon offensive lineman Emmanuel Pregnon (OL40) during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

This 2026 NFL Draft class has talented interior offensive linemen, with some being immediate day one starters. Among them is Oregon guard Emmanuel Pregnon, who is one of the more experienced and athletic interior blockers. Fornelli has the Seahawks selecting Pregnon with the 32nd overall pick. 

While Pregnon doesn’t have the fast first step, he is able to quickly counter and adjust to any blocking scheme. He is also a significantly solid pass protector and has strong hands. Pregnon has a high-floor and he has a chance to be a consistently top-tier Pro-Bowl guard in the NFL.

He possesses great size and is one of the most aggressive and dominant run-blockers in this draft. There are some things that Pregnon can improve as a key blocker, including balance and lateral agility, but these are attributes that offensive line coach John Benton can improve.

Why Would the Seahawks Go Interior Offensive Line?

Feb 8, 2026; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Seattle Seahawks guard Anthony Bradford (75) against the New England Patriots during Super Bowl LX at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

There are positions the Seahawks should address in the remainder of the offseason. The Seahawks need to secure a starting running back, and they need to consider a new starting right guard. Anthony Bradford may have finished the season strong and into the playoffs, but he was still one of the most inconsistent guards in the league.

Bradford finished the season with an overall grade of 50.6, which ranked 70th out of 81 eligible guards, according to Pro Football Focus. He also finished with a horrid pass-blocking grade of 40.8, which ranked 76th out of 81 guards. Bradford was often a liability along the offensive line and would often stall successful drives. 

The Seahawks could go for a running back early in the draft, but Jadarian Price might be a slight overreach at No. 32. Seattle might wait for the second or third round to get a potential starting running back. The other positions that the Seahawks could get in the first round in edge rusher, cornerback, safety, or wide receiver would be considered a luxury pick. 

If the Seahawks pick Pregnon in the first round, it would be based on the fact that the Seahawks are addressing a serious position need, and he is the best player remaining in the Draft. He would likely be a day one starter, and it would be the second year in a row the Seahawks go interior offensive line in the first round.

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