What the 5-foot-10, 180-pound Burks may lack in stature he makes up with sheer explosiveness. Burks put up some of the most eye-popping results of this year’s Combine, running the 40-yard dash in 4.3 seconds flat with a 1.49 10-yard split. Unlike some of the other speedsters of this class, Burks is already a savvy route-runner, and I love the improvement he’s shown in contested grab situations, showing not only grit but explosive leaping ability and rare strength (26 repetitions of 225 pounds) for a receiver, as well.
WR Chris Brazzell II, Tennessee
While the first letter of their last name and general position suggest that Brazzell and the aforementioned Burks are similar, in reality the two wideouts couldn’t be much different. Brazzell is a long-striding 6-foot-4, 198-pound split end at his best tracking deep balls over the top. He showed impressive suddenness out of his stance for such a big receiver, generating a 1.52-second 10-yard split on his way to a 4.37-second 40-yard dash. Even better, Brazzell turned that unique size and speed combination into scores in 2025, leading the SEC with nine touchdown receptions.
CB Tacario Davis, Washington
An injury-plagued senior season may have Davis ranking lower in the media, but I see plenty of similarities between him and Riq Woolen, who Schneider and the Seahawks stole in the fifth round of the 2022 draft. Like Woolen, Davis offers an exceptional combination of size (6-foot-4, 194 pounds), arm length (33 3/8″) and straight-line speed (4.41 seconds in the 40-yard dash). Don’t let the fact that Davis only recorded three interceptions over his college career fool you – he broke up 25 passes in 37 career games at the college level.
Edge Cashius Howell, Texas A&M
At a shade under 6-foot-3 and just 253 pounds, Howell lacks elite size for an edge rusher and his 30 ¼” arms fall well below the standard for most teams. However, few prioritize versatility among their defenders like Mike Macdonald and Howell offers plenty of that, showing not only elite burst and bend off the edge as a pass rusher but impressive change-of-direction and awareness in coverage. Howell tied with Ohio State’s Arvell Reese (currently the odds-on-favorite to be the first defender drafted this year) for the fastest 10-yard split (1.58 seconds) at the Combine. He was named an All-American after registering 11.5 sacks this season for the Aggies but began his college career at Bowling Green because recruiters didn’t think he was big enough to succeed in college. Should the NFL make the same mistake and allow Howell to slip to No. 32 overall, the Seahawks would seemingly be an ideal match.
CB Chris Johnson, San Diego State
Another exciting first round possibility for the Seahawks would be Johnson, a silky-smooth cover-corner who followed winning the Mountain West Conference’s Defensive Player of the Year in 2025 by starring in Indianapolis. Johnson isn’t the biggest cornerback in this class at six-foot and 193 pounds, but he proved himself to be among the fastest, clocking in at 4.40 in the 40-yard dash (tied for third among CBs) with a 1.54 second 10-yard split (tied for fourth at the position). Better yet, Johnson plays fast, showing excellent route awareness, balance and tracking skills to make opponents pay for throwing his direction. Frankly, Johnson should be off the board by the time Seattle is on the board, but no one need tell Seahawks fans that the east coast bias is real.
RB Emmett Johnson, Nebraska
Since taking over as general manager of the Seahawks in 2010, John Schneider has made 143 NFL draft selections and not a single one of them came from the University of Nebraska. Johnson would be an intriguing candidate to stop this noteworthy trend. Technically-speaking, Johnson finished last among the running backs tested this year in the 40-yard dash (4.56 seconds) but I think his vision and lateral agility would make him an exciting fit in the wide-zone offense that new offensive coordinator Brian Fleury promises to maintain in Seattle. Johnson was the quickest of the running backs tested this year in the 3-cone drill (7.32) and short shuttle (4.29). Should Seattle need a true bell-cow to carry the load, Johnson has proven more durable than his 5-foot-10, 202-pound frame might suggest, leading the Big Ten in both rushing yards (1,451) and touches (297) this past season, scoring 15 touchdowns in just 12 games.