Seahawks Add Former ‘Explosive’ 1st-Round CB: Report

Getty

ESPN’s Brady Henderson reported the Seattle Seahawks are signing former first-round cornerback Noah Igbinoghene.

During the first week of NFL free agency, the Seattle Seahawks re-signed cornerback Josh Jobe and added safety Rodney Thomas. On Saturday, the team made another move for the secondary with former first-round cornerback Noah Igbinoghene.

ESPN’s Brady Henderson reported the Seahawks signed Igbinoghene to a 1-year deal.

“The 30th pick of the 2020 draft by Miami, Igbinoghene spent the last two seasons with Washington after a stint in Dallas,” Henderson wrote. “He has 17 starts and one interception in five seasons.”

Of those 17 starts, 10 of them came with the Washington Commanders during the 2024 season.

Igbinoghene entered the NFL as a boom-or-bust type prospect. Unfortunately, he’s been more bust than boom throughout his career.

But analysts raved about some of his physical traits during the draft process.

“Stocky but explosive receiver-turned cornerback whose play generates both intrigue and concern,” NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein wrote in 2020. “He’s extremely physical from snap to whistle with the strength to alter route timing from press.

“Improvement is likely with more experience and technique, but playing with downfield poise is not guaranteed.”

Seahawks Add CB Noah Igbinoghene in 2026 NFL Free Agency: Report

It’s not at all a stretch to call Igbinoghene an NFL draft bust. The former first-rounder is heading to his fourth team in seven seasons.

The cornerback started just five games for the team that drafted him at No. 30 overall.

But the good news for the Seahawks is Igbinoghene is arguably coming off the best two campaigns of his NFL career.

In 2024, he posted 55 combined tackles with seven pass defenses in 17 games. Again, he started 10 of those contests, which was double the amount of games he had started prior to that.

During 2025, Igbinoghene returned to a reserve role. But he again played well more than 300 defensive snaps for the Commanders.

The past two seasons, Igbinoghene lined up for 1,191 total snaps on defense. That was nearly twice as many snaps he played in his first four years in the league combined (628 defensive snaps).

Igbinoghene might not play that much for the dominating Seahawks defense. But he could provide experience veteran depth. He’s also still only 26 years old. Igbinoghene is probably never going to fulfill his draft stock, but he has room from improvement, especially working with the Seahawks coaching staff.

In three seasons with the Miami Dolphins, Igbinoghene posted 29 combined tackles with five pass defenses. He intercepted the only pass of his career with Miami in 2022.

Igbinoghene spent the 2023 campaign with the Dallas Cowboys. He appeared in five games but didn’t record a statistic.

Igbinoghene then received the opportunity for much more playing time with the Commanders during 2024.

The cornerback also has experience on special teams. However, he played on that unit a lot more earlier in his career.

Last season, he lined up for 52 special teams snaps.

Seahawks Cornerback Depth Entering 2026

Seattle has been mostly focused this offseason on retaining its own free agents. Cornerback Riq Woolen left in free agency, but the Seahawks re-signed Jobe.

Jobe will return as a starter along with Devon Witherspoon. At nickel cornerback, 2025 second-round pick Nick Emmanwori will also be back. Emmanwori already played an intricate role as a rookie, but he could take on even more responsibility during 2026.

That might not leave much playing time for Igbinoghene. But again, he’ll provide quality depth and potentially contribute on special teams.

Shaquill Griffin, Shemar Jean-Charles, and Nehemiah Pritchett are the other cornerbacks the Seahawks have listed on their roster this offseason.

Dave Holcomb is a sports reporter covering the NFL and MLB for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Pittsburgh Steelers, Philadelphia Eagles and Detroit Lions. Originally from Pittsburgh, Holcomb has covered college and professional sports for outlets including FanSided, Rotowire and Yardbarker. More about Dave Holcomb