Seattle Seahawks Face Edge-Rusher Void After 2026 Draft

The Seattle Seahawks entered the 2026 NFL Draft needing a defensive end but selected no edge rusher. The team added a running back, safety, cornerback, guard and depth players, leaving the edge-rushing group unchanged and prompting free-agency focus.

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Last season’s quartet—Boye Mafe (signed with the Cincinnati Bengals), DeMarcus Lawrence (considered retirement, will be 34 in 2026), Uchenna Nwosu (injury-plagued, 30 in 2026) and Derick Hall (final rookie-contract year)—are all uncertain beyond the upcoming season.

MyNorthwest

Seattle retains three prospects: Connor O’Toole, Jared Ivey and Jamie Sheriff. Head coach Mike Macdonald said the trio “worked really hard last year” and are “ready to go if need be,” though they remain unproven at the NFL level.

MyNorthwest

Analyst Bryan Walters named Kyle Van Noy, former Seahawk Jadaveon Clowney and eight-time Pro Bowler Von Miller as top free-agent options. All three played under Macdonald’s Baltimore scheme, which Walters believes eases their transition to Seattle.

MyNorthwest

General manager John Schneider said “Yeah, we may” when asked about adding a veteran edge rusher. Dan Viens reported on Twitter that the Seahawks expect Dante Fowler to sign soon. The club is projected to receive four compensatory picks in the 2027 draft, shaping the timing of any signing.

USA Today

Analysts criticize the draft’s failure to address the edge-rusher need. Some note prior interest in Myles Garrett and Maxx Crosby, but no concrete trade offers have materialized.

Sports Illustrated

Walters reports Von Miller turned down a Seahawks contract, yet the team’s official stance is unconfirmed. Fowler’s visit is verified, but his contract terms and exact signing date await finalization after the compensatory-pick formula is set.

USA Today

• “Not that you need some fancy system as an edge rusher. You kind of know what you’re going to do. Rush the quarterback, come off the edge,” — Bryan Walters

MyNorthwest

• “When you look at Clowney last year, 8 1/2 sacks with the Cowboys. I think that might be my number one, and then two would be Kyle Van Noy. But again, both played in Macdonald’s system. I think that’s the biggest thing. Get guys you’re familiar with, guys that you know, guys you can trust.” — Bryan Walters

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• “He had 9.0 sacks last year with Washington, he played all 17 games, showed he can do it, showed he can do it without being injured,” — Bryan Walters

MyNorthwest

• “Seahawks' Mafe replacement strategy in motion The #Seahawks expect Dante Fowler to sign by Wednesday, I’m told.” — Dan Viens (Twitter)

USA Today

Seattle expects to finalize Dante Fowler Jr.’s contract within days, adding a larger-frame edge rusher. The team will also evaluate remaining free-agent candidates while preserving its four 2027 compensatory selections for future roster flexibility.

USA Today