A look at where the Seahawks stand at defensive line and outside linebacker heading into the 2026 draft, as well as draft analyst Rob Rang's top-ranked prospects at that position.

The 2026 NFL Draft kicks off next week in Pittsburgh, and for the Seahawks, this year's draft represents a chance to add to a roster mostly made up of the players who were part of the team that won Super Bowl LX in February.

Because of the talent, depth and youth on Seattle's roster, players added in this year's draft will have to come in willing to compete for playing time, something Seahawks general manager and president of football operations John Schneider saw young players struggle with last decade during the peak of the Legion of Boom era. That eventually led to an adjustment in Seattle's evaluation process to make sure they were bringing in the type of players who had the right mindset to compete with established stars, and that trait will again be key for the 2026 draft class.

"Yeah, we'll be way more cognizant of it," Schneider said last month at the NFL Annual Meeting. "How do they feel about (Devon Witherspoon), how do they feel about Leonard (Williams), (Byron) Murphy? There's got to be a level of confidence, self-efficacy that we have to dig deeper into… Not just being fans of these guys, but like, 'I want to take their jobs.' The competition just rises to the top."

Things could change before or during the draft, but as things currently stand, the Seahawks hold only four picks, having traded their fourth and fifth-round selections to the Saints in exchange for receiver and return specialist Rashid Shaheed, and having sent their sixth-rounder to Jacksonville in a 2024 trade for defensive lineman Roy Robertson-Harris. But even with limited draft capital, the Seahawks head into this year's draft looking to add tough, smart and reliable players who can help the team in 2026 and beyond.

And with the draft coming up soon, Seahawks.com is taking a position-by-position look at where things currently stand for the Seahawks, as well as draft analyst Rob Rang's top draft prospects at each position. We'll also look at Seattle's draft history at each position over the past 16 drafts under Schneider.

So far we've covered quarterback, running back, receiver, tight end and the offensive line, and today we take a look at where things stand at defensive line/outside linebacker. Check back tomorrow when we turn our attention to off-ball linebacker.

Seattle's 2026 Draft Picks: Round 1, No. 32 overall; Round 2, No. 64 overall; Round 3, No. 96 overall; Round 6, No. 188 overall (from Cleveland).

Defensive line/outside linebacker draft history under John Schneider: DE E.J. Wilson (No. 127 overall, 2010); DE Dexter Davis (No. 236, 2010); DE Pep Levingston (No. 205, 2011); DE/OLB Bruce Irvin (No. 15, 2012); DE Jaye Howard (No. 114, 2012); DE Greg Scruggs (No. 232, 2012); DT Jordan Hill (No. 87, 2013); DT Jesse Williams (No. 137, 2013); OLB Ty Powell (No. 231; 2013); DE Cassius Marsh (No. 108, 2014); DT Jimmy Staten (No. 172, 2014); DE Frank Clark (No. 63, 2015); DE Obum Gwacham (No. 209, 2015); DT Jarran Reed (No. 49, 2016); DT Quinton Jefferson (No. 147, 2016); DT Malik McDowell (No. 35, 2017); DT Nazair Jones (No. 102, 2017); DE Rasheem Green (No. 79, 2018); DE/OLB Jacob Martin (No. 186, 2018); DE L.J. Collier (No. 29, 2019); DT DeMarcus Christmas (No. 209, 2019); DE/OLB Darrell Taylor (No. 48, 2020); DE Alton Robinson (No. 148, 2020); OLB Boye Mafe (No. 40, 2022); OLB Tyreke Smith (No. 158, 2022); OLB Derick Hall (No. 37, 2023), DT Cameron Young (No. 123, 2023); DE Mike Morris (No. 151, 2023); DT Byron Murphy II (No. 16, 2024) DT Rylie Mills (No. 142, 2025.

Where The Seahawks Stand

The Seahawks had the NFL's best defense in 2025 for a number of reasons, ranging from playmakers at all three levels to great coaching and scheme to impressive depth that allowed the team to not miss a beat when players were sidelined by injuries, but one of the biggest reasons behind Seattle's defensive success was the play of a dominant defensive front, which was both stout against the run and also adept at making life miserable for opposing quarterbacks.

And the good news for the Seahawks heading into 2026 is that nearly everyone from that front is back, including outside linebackers DeMarcus Lawrence, Uchenna Nwosu and Derick Hall, and interior linemen Leonard Williams, Byron Murphy II and Jarran Reed. Behind that mostly veteran group, the Seahawks also have a lot of young depth, including linemen Mike Morris, Brandon Pili and Rylie Mills, the latter of whom finished his rookie season on a high note, recording a dominant sack in the Super Bowl after missing most of his rookie season due to a knee injury, as well as a pair of edge players who made the team as undrafted rookies, Connor O'Toole and Jared Ivey.

So heading into the draft, the Seahawks are already in pretty good shape up front, but that doesn't mean they won't also look to add to that group. Seattle did lose Boye Mafe in free agency, so the Seahawks will need another edge player to maintain their deep rotation there. That role could be filled by a player like Ivey or O'Toole, but the Seahawks also would probably like to add to that group, be it through the draft or a veteran free-agent signing.

There's also the long-term future to consider. Three of Seattle's top players up front will be 32 or older next season with a decade or more under their belts. Lawrence, who turns 34 later this month, is heading into his 13th season, Williams, who turns 32 in June, will be in his 12th season, and Reed, 33, will be in his 11th. None of those players showed any signs of slowing down last season, nor have they hinted at retirement, but any time a player has more than a decade under his belt, and especially after winning a championship, that possibility has to be on the team's mind from a long-term planning perspective. The Seahawks have the pieces in place to again be dominant up front in 2026, but if the right player is available in the draft, it could also make a lot of sense to add to one of the team's biggest strengths.

Rob Rang's Top 5 Defensive Linemen

Overview: Defensive tackle is one of the more polarizing groups of this year's draft class with an exceptional talent in Florida's Caleb Banks who just can't seem to stay healthy and several traditional run-pluggers hoping to convince NFL teams that they offer enough disruptive ability against the pass to justify an early pick. Defensive tackles are often among the largest players in their respective classes and this year's group is especially so. Even bigger than the aforementioned 6-foot-6, 335-pound Banks is Mississippi's Zxavian Harris (6-8, 330), who just missed cut of the top DTs of this class. The massive defender blocked six kicks over his college career – something that the Seahawks and their focus on special teams – certainly took note of. I would include Missouri's Chris McClellan and NC State's Brandon Cleveland as mid-round run-pluggers with the girth and grit I think will help them ultimately outplay their original draft slots. Similarly, if the Seahawks are looking for underrated penetrating types, Oklahoma's Gracen Halten, Texas A&M's Tyler Onyedim and small-schooler Kaleb Proctor of Southeastern Louisiana offer the quickness to disrupt from inside.

1. Caleb Banks, Florida, 6-6, 327, First Round

Durability concerns could push Banks outside of the Top 32 selections but there is no denying that he possesses first round traits. He is simply bigger and longer than opponents, simply rag-dolling would-be blockers, at times, with his 35" arms. Furthermore, Banks is not just massive – he's also athletic, wowing at both the Senior Bowl and Combine. Repeated foot injuries – each of which forced surgery – in the last calendar year are bright red flags, however.

2. Keldric Faulk, Auburn, 6-6, 276, First Round

Faulk lined up on the edge a lot, but I think he'll prove most effective inside in the NFL. Like the aforementioned Banks, the team that selects him in the first round is gambling on Faulk's upside. He offers impressive flexibility and agility for a man of his size and is far from a finished product, entering the draft at just 21-years old. Auburn coaches rave about his character.

3. Peter Woods, Clemson, 6-3, 298, First-Second Round

Another "pup" at just 21-years old who was asked to play a variety of roles in college, Woods has the look of a longtime NFL defensive tackle – though he may lack elite upside. Asked to play heavier in 2024, he looked more of the part of former Seahawk Al Woods (no relation), swallowing up multiple blockers at the point of attack. He slimmed down to play more of a disruptive presence in 2025 and was also effective in this role. He's a jack-of-all-trades, master-of-none type.

4. Kayden McDonald, Ohio State, 6-3, 326, First-Second Round

A true nose guard who can effectively plug the middle with his girth and strength, McDonald is, frankly, better at his job currently than the others listed ahead of him. He is so strong that he can overwhelm interior offensive linemen with his bull rush but he's never going to wow anyone as a pass rusher, thereby limiting his value.

5. Christen Miller, Georgia, 6-4, 321, First-Second Round

With just four combined sacks over his college career, Miller's stat-line certainly suggests that he's also "just" a run-stuffer but I see untapped pass-rushing potential in him. He is a little reliant on guessing the snap count but when he does so, Miller shows impressive first-step quickness and core flexibility to slip through cracks. He's at his best doing the dirty work, though, occupying blockers and letting teammates get the glory. He has the frame and physicality that suggests he'll play in the NFL for a decade or more.

Rob Rang's Top 5 Edge Rushers

Overview: Any Seahawks fans fretting about Boye Mafe moving to Cincinnati in the offseason can take solace in the fact that this year's edge rusher class is loaded with quality prospects. Selecting last in the first round will take Seattle out of the running for the first few players listed but the final three are among the dozen prospects I think could step into Seattle's rotation and be effective. Among my favorites not listed below are native Canadian Akeem Mesidor (Miami), Boye Mafe-clone Malachi Lawrence from Central Florida, Derrick Moore (Michigan) and Dani Dennis-Sutton (Penn State), each of whom I expect to be among the first 75 picks of the draft. They all possess the bulk and strength to set a firm edge, as well as rush the passer. If the Seahawks were willing to sacrifice some bulk for a pass rush specialist, 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. My favorite middle round fit is Duke's Wesley Williams, among the most physical players at any position in this class.

1. David Bailey, Texas Tech, 6-3, 250, First Round

Simply put, Bailey is the best pass rusher of this class. He possesses legitimate burst off the snap to beat tackles with his speed rush and he can flatten and accelerate around the edge. He was a Freshman All-American at Stanford in 2022 and the Cardinal in both tackles for loss and sacks each of the next two seasons, as well, despite opponents understandably keying in on him. He transferred to Texas Tech this past season and was featured, tying for the FBS lead with 14.5 sacks and earning the Big 12's Defensive Lineman of the Year award.

2. Rueben Bain, Jr., Miami, 6-3, 270, First Round

The aforementioned Bailey is the best pass rusher of this class but 25 years of scouting prospects for the NFL has taught me that violence at the point of attack is the greatest predictor of success at the next level and no one offers more of that than Bain. His stubby arms (31") have generated all sorts of conversation in the scouting community but the tape shows a player who consistently outpunches his marginal length, resetting the line of scrimmage against the run and pass, alike. Bain is a high-floor player with a track record of getting to the QB, registering 20.5 sacks in just three college seasons.

3. Zion Young, Missouri, 6-6, 262, First-Second Round

It is easy to see why Young is frequently mocked to the Seahawks, as he plays with the fire against both the run and pass that Mike Macdonald requires. Like Bain, Young plays with a different level of violence than most college edge rushers, shocking would-be blockers with his length (33") and strength. He is an effective rusher but lacks ideal twitch and acceleration, generating most of his sacks off of hustle, rather than quick wins. Teams will have to do their homework on him, as he is a trash-talker who also was arrested in December on suspicion for DWI.

4. T.J. Parker, Clemson, 6-4, 263, First-Second Round

It will be fascinating to see where Parker is selected as he wasn't as productive in 2025 after a dominating true sophomore campaign and yet the tape still shows first round talent. It is difficult to discuss Parker's 2024 campaign and not venture into hyperbole. He was the only player in the country to rank among the Top 10 in the FBS in tackles for loss (19.5), sacks (11) and forced fumbles (six). When his numbers slipped significantly in 2025 (9.5/5.0/zero) in 2025, so did his hype in the media. I see a prototypically-built, technically-sound player who, at worst, is a solid NFL starter. Parker married his college sweetheart – former Clemson volleyball player Azyah Dailey – this past year. He'll turn 22 in September.

5. Gabe Jacas, Illinois, 6-4, 260, First-Second Round

Like the two edge rushers before him, Jacas (pronounced ACK-us) is more powerful and persistent than truly explosive, but that doesn't mean he wasn't productive. Jacas led the Big Ten with 11 sacks this past season, in fact, and leaves Illinois (where Devon Witherspoon played his college ball) with 27 career QB takedowns. Like Witherspoon, Jacas is a native of the talent-rich state of Florida and comes highly endorsed by the Illini coaching staff as a team captain.