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The Seattle Seahawks are urged to ignore “a bit rich” Kenneth Walker III plan in the first round of the 2026 NFL draft and target a different position.
Many expect Seattle Seahawks general manager John Schneider to use the 32nd pick in the 2026 NFL draft to replace Super Bowl LX MVP Kenneth Walker III, but one analyst thinks using a first-round pick to take a running back would be “a bit rich,” especially if a “power-based” replacement for edge-rusher Boye Mafe is still on the board.
It’s a scenario mapped out by Todd McShay of The Ringer. He noted “A lot of people want to plug Jadarian Price in here as Seattle’s immediate replacement for Kenneth Walker III, and while I wouldn’t rule it out entirely, it feels a bit rich at this spot.”
McShay’s alternative is for the Seahawks to take Clemson defensive end T.J. Parker. The reasoning is based on Parker being “a power-based edge who can collapse the pocket and set a strong edge against the run. Based on his 2024 tape and Senior Bowl performance, he still profiles as a first-round talent, making this a potential high-value pick for Seattle, and one that helps offset the loss of Boye Mafe in free agency.”
That note about replacing Mafe is significant. He cashed in his role in last season’s title win to join the Cincinnati Bengals in free agency, robbing the Seahawks of some niche skills in their deep and versatile pass-rush room.
Skills appreciated by head coach Mike Macdonald, and enough to prompt some to predict the Seahawks will go edge-rusher in the opening round.
T.J. Parker One of Many Potential Boye Mafe Replacements
McShay acknowledged the risks of picking Parker. As he put it, “Parker was viewed as an ascending talent entering the 2025 season, but things didn’t quite go as planned (which was the case for several Clemson prospects). NFL teams seem to think there were some off-field factors—including getting married during the season and adjusting to a new defensive coordinator—that contributed to the uneven year.”
Betting first-round value on what a player did two seasons ago is a gamble. Even though Parker compares favorably to the top edge-rushers in this class, with PFF College noting how “Since 2023, only Rueben Bain Jr & David Bailey have more QB pressures than Parker.”
Schneider doesn’t necessarily need to take a risk, despite the obvious need to replace Mafe. A need spelled out by Macdonald: “Probably the best thing that Boye does is quick wins early, which was something that you need. You need to be able to affect the quarterback fast. Can he finish a little bit better? Yeah, absolutely, but if you get the quarterback off the spot, it means somebody else is probably making that play, too,” per ESPN’s Brady Henderson.
The desire to find another speed rusher was likely behind the Seahawks hosting a big-play edge defender described by draft analyst Rob Rang as a “Boye Mafe-clone.”
Rang also pointed out “Texas A&M’s Cassius Marsh, Oklahoma’s R Mason Thomas and Michigan’s Jaishawn Barham play with the ferocity and intensity Mike Macdonald demands.”
Parker offers more bulk at 263 pounds, so the 22-year-old might be more of a successor for DeMarcus Lawrence, than a replacement for Mafe. Lawrence is 34 and there’s already been speculation retirement is near.
Schneider using one of the mere four picks at his disposal to find Lawrence’s heir apparent makes sense. Particularly when Macdonald’s schemes rely on rotating in a fleet of fresh and roving pass-rushers to maintain consistent pressure from all angles.
Following this strategy is the smart move, provided the temptation to select another Walker doesn’t prove too great.
Seahawks Sure to Miss Kenneth Walker
There’s no mystery behind why Price is such a popular pick for the Seahawks. He possesses the workhorse traits to ensure Walker isn’t missed too much.
The latter’s prolific postseason run powered Seattle’s push to the Lombardi Trophy, culminating in rushing for 135 yards against the New England Patriots in the big game. Walker’s patience, deceptive breakaway speed and sudden cuts were also perfect attributes for the zone-based schemes underpinning the Seahawks’ ground attack.
Schneider hasn’t put an obvious replacement on the roster, despite adding Emanuel Wilson in free agency. It’s why Price is emerging as the consensus 32nd-overall pick, with one analyst even warning Schneider about the risks of ignoring the former Notre Dame power back.
Not taking Price, or another back, would leave the Seahawks without an obvious starter. They could rely on the same committee approach Macdonald trusts at edge-rusher, a strategy the Seahawks can reinforce by selecting Parker.
James Dudko covers the New York Giants, Washington Commanders, New England Patriots and Baltimore Ravens for Heavy.com. He has covered the NFL and world soccer since 2011, with bylines at FanSided, Prime Time Sports Talk and Bleacher Report before joining Heavy in 2021. More about James Dudko
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