The Seattle Seahawks have a golden touch in the first round of the NFL Draft, but where will they strike gold next? For the past few drafts, General Manager John Schneider and the Seahawks have been on an incredible streak, consistently finding players who make an immediate and significant impact. Since 2022, their first-round selections have included standout talents like left tackle Charles Cross, cornerback Devon Witherspoon, and wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Two of these picks have already achieved All-Pro status, and the others were crucial to the team's recent Super Bowl aspirations. This impressive track record begs the question: who will be the next star unearthed by Seattle with their initial draft pick this year?
NFL Draft analyst Jon Ledyard, host of the Read Optional Podcast, shared his insights with Seattle Sports' Bump and Stacy. He believes that wide receiver is a top priority for the Seahawks in the upcoming draft. Ledyard explained that while the team feels strong about its young defensive talent, if an exceptional defensive player is available, they might not be able to pass on that value. However, if the talent is relatively even across positions, he suspects the Seahawks will target a wide receiver to alleviate some of the pressure on Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
And this is the part most people miss: Jaxon Smith-Njigba was an absolute phenomenon last season, leading the league with an astounding 1,793 receiving yards and earning AP Offensive Player of the Year. He was responsible for a massive 44.1% of the team's total receiving yards. The next closest Seahawks wideout, Cooper Kupp, only managed 593 yards, and he was the only other receiver to surpass 200 yards during the regular season. This highlights just how much of the receiving load Smith-Njigba carried.
Ledyard suggests that the ideal addition for the Seahawks would be a downfield threat capable of stretching the field. "With that offense and assuming they want to keep the play-action and vertical-stretch elements that made them really effective last season, you do think speed has got to be somewhat of an asset," Ledyard noted. He also raised a point about internal development: "Unless they feel like Tory Horton is ready to be making a big jump this season, you’ve got to feel like speed is going to be a priority for them in this draft at wide receiver."
Ledyard then delved into some exciting potential late-first-round wide receiver prospects for the Seahawks, including a notable local talent. He mentioned Denzel Boston from Washington, a local product who is sure to generate some buzz. However, Ledyard has some reservations: "I worry about Boston a little bit at the top of the route. How does he separate? He didn’t catch the ball well at the combine, but he caught it pretty well last season, so I’m not ready to get worried about that." Boston, a South Hill native, had an impressive season for UW, recording 62 receptions for 881 yards and 11 touchdowns in 12 games, earning him third-team All-Big Ten honors.
Another intriguing prospect is Jordyn Tyson, whom Ledyard sees as having "massive range in the draft." He could be an early pick, but medical evaluations might push him lower. Tyson had a stellar 2024 season for Arizona State, with 75 receptions for 1,101 yards and 10 touchdowns in 12 games, earning third-team All-America recognition. However, his numbers dipped in the past season due to a hamstring injury that limited him to nine games. But here's where it gets controversial... Tyson has a history of significant injuries, including tearing his ACL, MCL, and PCL in 2022 and suffering a broken collarbone in 2024. Would a team be willing to gamble on his immense talent despite these injury concerns?
Ledyard also considered KC Concepcion as a "different type of player" who might appeal to the Seahawks in this draft range. Concepcion put up strong numbers for Texas A&M in 2025, with 61 receptions for 919 yards and nine touchdowns, adding two punt return touchdowns and earning first-team All-America honors as an all-purpose player.
For a "more safe route," Ledyard recommended Omar Cooper Jr. from Indiana, describing him as a "really talented player." Cooper was a key contributor for the national champion Indiana, with 69 receptions for 937 yards and 13 touchdowns, and was named a second-team All-Big Ten selection.
So, what do you think? With the Seahawks' impressive draft history, especially in the first round, the pressure is on to find another impact player. Do you agree with Jon Ledyard that wide receiver should be the top priority, or do you see another position as more pressing? Which of these potential prospects excites you the most, and why? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below – we'd love to hear your take on where the Seahawks should focus their first-round efforts!
