Seahawks Bolster Secondary in 2026 NFL Mock Draft with Selection of Avieon Terrell

The NFL Scouting Combine is more than a spectacle of athleticism; it’s the first major domino to fall in a year-long evaluation process that shapes franchise futures. Fresh off their return from Indianapolis, Seattle Seahawks General Manager John Schneider and Head Coach Mike Macdonald are now armed with a critical data set. As they plot a course for the team’s long-term vision, the external draft prognostication machine has already shifted into high gear for 2026. In a telling latest projection, The Draft Network has the Seahawks addressing a looming crisis with a familiar surname, selecting Clemson cornerback Avieon Terrell with the 32nd overall pick.

The Looming Void in Seattle’s Defensive Backfield

While 2026 may seem distant, the contractual realities facing the Seahawks’ cornerback room are immediate and stark. As noted by The Draft Network’s Jaime Eisner, only Devon Witherspoon and 2024 draft pick Nehemiah Pritchett are currently under contract for that season. This isn’t merely a future problem—it’s a present-day alarm bell.

The 2025 offseason is poised to trigger a significant exodus. Starter Riq Woolen, after a season of playing on a proven performance escalator, is set to hit free agency next week and is widely expected to command a lucrative deal on the open market. Key contributor Josh Jobe, who emerged as a reliable force in 2024, is also an impending free agent. His physical, standout play may have priced him out of Seattle’s budgetary comfort zone. This potential double departure would leave Macdonald’s defense, which predicates itself on versatility and coverage discipline, dangerously thin at a premium position. The need to strengthen and replace cornerback talent is not a draft luxury; it is this offseason’s imperative.

Why Avieon Terrell Fits the Macdonald Mold

In this mock draft scenario, the Seahawks don’t just select a cornerback; they select a specific competitive and spirited defender whose profile seems tailor-made for the new regime. Avieon Terrell, the younger brother of Atlanta Falcons All-Pro A.J. Terrell, is carving his own path at Clemson with a style that should resonate powerfully in Seattle.

Terrell’s game is defined by several key traits that align with modern defensive needs:

• Physical Man-Coverage Skills: He excels in press-man situations, using his length and aggressive jam to disrupt receivers at the line. His “sticky” coverage ability, as Eisner described, mirrors the technique that made his brother a top-tier NFL corner.
• Inside-Outside Versatility: This is perhaps the most valuable asset for a Macdonald defense. Terrell has shown the capability to shadow elite receivers on the boundary while also possessing the quickness and toughness to slide into the slot. This flexibility allows a defensive coordinator to match up dynamically against any offensive formation.
• High Football IQ and Pedigree: Growing up with and training alongside an NFL star provides an intangible edge. He plays with a polished understanding of route concepts and leverage, a trait that would be accelerated working alongside a student of the game like Devon Witherspoon.

Selecting Terrell would be a direct investment in the identity Mike Macdonald is building: a smart, adaptable, and tenacious defense that wins through detailed technique and relentless competitiveness.

Navigating the Bridge to 2026: Seattle’s Critical 2025 Offseason

The projection to draft a cornerback in 2026 underscores the vital work Schneider must do in the coming months. A mock draft is a snapshot of need, and this one highlights a position that requires immediate triage. The Seahawks cannot simply wait two years to address the cornerback position.

This means the 2025 offseason will be a fascinating balancing act. Expect the Seahawks to be active in both free agency and the 2025 draft to find starting-caliber players. The goal will be to build a bridge that maintains defensive integrity while developing a long-term cornerstone like Terrell. Potential strategies include:

• Signing a veteran free agent corner to a shorter-term deal to provide stability and mentorship.
• Using a Day 1 or Day 2 pick in the 2025 NFL draft on a cornerback to immediately compete for a starting role.
• Extending or restructuring existing contracts to create cap space for necessary investments in the secondary.

How Schneider navigates this will directly impact whether the Seahawks are picking at No. 32 as projected—a sign of a Super Bowl contender—or are selecting much earlier. Success in 2025 fortifies the roster and allows the luxury of a “best player available” pick like Terrell in 2026.

Final Verdict: A Pick That Makes Perfect Sense

The Draft Network’s projection of Avieon Terrell to the Seattle Seahawks at the end of the first round in 2026 is more than just a fun, forward-looking exercise. It is a logically sound prediction based on clear roster trends, schematic fit, and organizational philosophy.

Terrell represents the ideal blend of need and value. By 2026, Witherspoon would be entering his prime as the established leader of the secondary, and pairing him with a cost-controlled, high-ceiling talent like Terrell could give Seattle one of the most formidable cornerback duos in the league. The inside-outside versatility he offers is the currency of modern NFL defenses, allowing Mike Macdonald to deploy complex coverages and pressure packages without substitution tells.

While mock drafts two years out are a fluid business, this selection hits on all cylinders. It addresses a glaring future need with a player whose competitive and spirited style embodies the attitude the new Seahawks leadership is cultivating. For a franchise in transition, securing a long-term answer at cornerback is paramount. In this vision of the 2026 NFL Draft, the Seahawks do just that, ensuring the “Legion of Boom” spirit finds its next generation in the form of Avieon Terrell.

Source: Based on news from Yahoo Sports.