Full Breakdown
Seahawks Select TCU Safety Bud Clark with 64th Overall Pick in 2026 NFL Draft
4/25/2026, 2:28:01 PM
Seahawks Pick Bud Clark in 2026 Second Round
On the second day of the 2026 NFL Draft, the Seattle Seahawks used their 64th-overall selection to draft Bud Clark, a safety from Texas Christian University. The pick adds a player who can line up at safety, nickel corner, or free safety, addressing Seattle’s desire for a multi-position defensive back. Clark, a three-time TCU captain and two-time second-team All-Big 12 honoree, joins a secondary that helped the Seahawks capture the league title the previous season.
Recent Draft Strategy and Defensive Needs
Seattle’s front office has emphasized versatility in the defensive backfield for two consecutive drafts. In 2025 the team traded up to select Nick Emmanwori, the eventual Defensive Rookie of the Year runner-up. That move, combined with the presence of Pro Bowl cornerback Devon Witherspoon, created a demand for depth and interchangeable pieces capable of covering slot receivers, supporting run defense, and executing blitz packages. Clark’s selection aligns with that strategic pattern.
Key Personnel
- Bud Clark – 6-ft-1, 188 lb safety; three-year captain at TCU; noted for ball-hawking instincts.
- Mike Macdonald – Seattle’s head coach, praised by Clark as “the best defensive coach in the NFL.”
- Devon Witherspoon – three-time Pro Bowl cornerback, a cornerstone of the current secondary.
- Nick Emmanwori – 2025 defensive standout, now a fellow versatile defender.
- Julian Love, Josh Jobe, Ty Okada – additional starters who contributed to the championship defense.
Performance Metrics
Clark recorded 15 interceptions and two pick-sixes over his final four college seasons, complemented by 21 pass breakups. In his senior year (2025) he logged four interceptions, one pick-six, seven pass breakups, a sack, and 1.5 tackles for loss. At the NFL Combine he ran a 4.41-second 40-yard dash and posted a 38-inch vertical. Pro Football Focus notes more than 1,200 slot snaps, 700 box snaps, and 400 free-safety snaps across his six-year collegiate career, underscoring his positional flexibility.
Official Statements & Team Perspective
Clark conveyed excitement about joining the defending champions, emphasizing his competitive nature and willingness to play any role the coaching staff assigns. He highlighted the opportunity to learn from Macdonald and to contribute alongside established playmakers such as Witherspoon and Emmanwori. Seattle’s organization framed the selection as a “strategic addition of a ball-hawk who can adapt to multiple defensive schemes,” reinforcing the team’s commitment to depth and adaptability in the secondary.
Impact on Seattle Defense
Clark’s ability to cover slot receivers, support the run box, and drop into deep safety positions provides Seattle with a “chess piece” capable of rotating without sacrificing performance. His proven ball-skills and blitz potential are expected to enhance the Seahawks’ pass-defense metrics and give the coaching staff greater flexibility in game-planning against diverse offensive attacks.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I'm versatile and I'm a ballhawk,” — Bud Clark, Safety, TCU
- “When you get a guy like Bud Clark who wasn’t on anyone’s radar, that has to be one of their guys, a guy that they’ve had on their board for a while,” — Michael Bumpus, Former NFL Wide Receiver
- “It doesn’t feel like a panic pick.” — Michael Bumpus, Former NFL Wide Receiver
What’s Next
Clark reports to Seattle’s 2026 training camp in late July, where he will compete for snaps in the nickel and safety packages. Preseason games will offer the first live evaluation of his fit within Macdonald’s defensive system, and his performance will determine his role heading into the regular season.
