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New Mock Draft Has Champion Seahawks Replenishing Their Secondary

The Seahawks lost their share of young but experienced talent in free agency. One mock draft has John Schneider addressing the defensive backfield in Round One.
Nov 29, 2025; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; Clemson Tigers cornerback Avieon Terrell (8) celebrates a play against the South Carolina Gamecocks in the first quarter at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-Imagn Images
Nov 29, 2025; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; Clemson Tigers cornerback Avieon Terrell (8) celebrates a play against the South Carolina Gamecocks in the first quarter at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-Imagn Images | Jeff Blake-Imagn Images

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Let’s give credit where credit is due. Seattle Seahawks’ general manager John Schneider was named the 2025 NFL Executive of the Year, and it’s important to note what he has done with the organization. And in the case of this offseason, he showed what a good job he has done in recent NFL draft in terms of stocking the Seahawks with talent.

Let’s go back to 2022 and his draft class. There was tackle Charles Cross (1), edge rusher Boye Mafe (2), running back Kenneth Walker III (2b), tackle Abraham Lucas (3), defensive backs Coby Bryant (4) and Riq Woolen (5), defensive end Tyreke Smith (5b), and wide receivers Bo Melton (7) and Dareke Young (7b).

Seven of those nine players were part of the team’s Super Bowl LX championship roster. Cross, Walker (the game’s MVP), Lucas, and Bryant all started, and Mafe, Woolen, and Young all saw action in the 29-13 win over the Patriots.

Champion Seahawks lost their share of talent this offseason

Riq Woolen
Feb 8, 2026; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Seattle Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen (27) 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

Part of free agency is also deciding who you can keep. Five of those seven players moved on during free agency. Mafe signed with the Bengals, Walker is now with the Chiefs, Bryant joined the Bears, Woolen inked a deal with the Eagles, and Young is now a member of the Raiders’ organization.

Losing two key member of a talented secondary can’t be underestimated. In his recently-released 2026 NFL mock draft, Bruce Feldman of The Athletic has Schneider opting for a defensive back with the 32nn overall pick in Clemson University’s Avieon Terrell.

Seattle could use some reinforcements in the secondary

Avieon Terrell
Feb 27, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Clemson defensive back Avieon Terrell (DB31) during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

“The run on Clemson players continues,” said Feldman, who has defensive tackle Peter Woods going 30th (to the Jaguars via trade) and tackle Blake Miller head to New England at No. 31. “This is a big need for Seattle, as is running back, but this spot seems too high to grab Arkansas’ Mike Washington Jr. or Notre Dame’s Jadarian Price. The younger brother of Falcons first-rounder A.J. Terrell is 5’11, 186 pounds. He tested OK in Indy, jumping 34 inches and posting 10-3 in the broad jump.

The 2025 season was a huge disappointment for Clemson,” added Feldman, “but don’t blame Terrell; he made a ton of plays. He had 46 tackles (4.5 for loss), three sacks, 11 pass breakups and a Clemson-record five forced fumbles.”

“He’s super quick and smart and probably will be an excellent nickel in the NFL,” said an ACC OC to Feldman. “He’s pretty wiry but he’s gritty and instinctive.”

Clemson’s Avieon Terrell could have an immediate impact in Seattle

NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein also had good things to say about the former Tiger. “Avieon Terrell is an athletic, fluid mover with clean transitions and enough speed to stay in phase on most vertical routes. He’s most effective in press-man coverage, where he mirrors releases with timing and discipline, staying crowded to the route.”

Avieon Terrell
Clemson Tigers cornerback Avieon Terrell (8) reacts to a pass interference call Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025, during the NCAA football game against the Duke Blue Devils at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina. | Alex Martin/Greenville News / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

“He concedes 50/50s to bigger targets at times,” added Zierlein, “but is a constant catch irritant with good technique on all three levels. He can play wide or inside and is willing in run support, but he lacks ideal size. Terrell projects as an early starter thanks to his polish, ball skills and coverage versatility.”

Woolen (17) and Bryant (7) combined for 24 takeaways during their four-year runs in Seattle. It’s safe to say that’s a lot of production that Schneider and the team hope to replace.

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Russell Baxter
RUSSELL BAXTER

Russell S. Baxter has been writing and researching the game of football for more than 40 years, and on numerous platforms. That includes television, as he spent more than two decades at ESPN, and was part of shows that garnered five Emmy Awards. He also spent the 2015 NFL season with Thursday Night Football on CBS/NFLN.