The Hawks Eye returns with a draft-focused episode featuring one of the most respected evaluators in football, Emory Hunt of CBS Sports. With the Seattle Seahawks coming off a Super Bowl championship, the conversation shifts from rebuilding or reshaping the roster to something far more nuanced: how to sustain success and strategically add to a championship core.
At the center of this episode is a key question: does this draft class actually fit what Seattle needs as a defending champion?
The discussion
begins with a high-level breakdown of the 2026 NFL Draft class. Compared to recent years, how does this group stack up? Is it a class built on depth, top-end talent, or specific positional strength? For a team like Seattle, understanding where the true value lies is critical when you’re drafting from a position of strength rather than necessity.
From there, the focus shifts to how this class aligns with the Seahawks’ roster. With a championship foundation already in place, the emphasis is on identifying players who can complement the existing core whether that’s adding depth in key areas, finding rotational contributors, or securing long-term pieces who can step into larger roles down the line. Emory Hunt provides insight into where this class offers those types of opportunities and where expectations may not match reality.
One of the most compelling segments of the episode centers on separating hype from substance, identifying which prospects are being overrated and which ones are flying under the radar. For a team in Seattle’s position, finding value, not just talent is what can extend a championship window. Someone like Malachi Lawrence, a name linked to the Seahawks, could be a pass rush solution. Hunt sees an area of his game he needs to work on at the pro level.
Emory Hunt on Malachi Lawrence
“First line of my scouting report for him, appreciate the kung fu theater-like hand quickness he displays at the line of scrimmage when rushing to pass him,” Jones said. “So that’s someone that is very boom boom boom.
“He’s going to win with his hands. Like wax on, wax off. He got that. He has the quickness of an athlete. Now the issue I have is he plays too high. He’s 6’4 and he plays 6’4 which means you struggle with changing direction. You struggle with your leverage. That stuff keeps you blocked. I think that’s the thing that you know is hard for some of these taller guys to try to combat. And he has to get better with his functional strength. Not weight room strength, but how does that apply on the field? because if you can’t apply what you’ve done in the weight room on the field, you just a big tall guy that’s getting blocked a lot. And so I want to see him improve in those areas.”
The show also highlights five prospects who project as strong fits for the Seahawks (26:59 of the video). These are players whose traits, play style, and football intelligence align with what Seattle already does well, making them ideal additions to an already elite roster. One of those prospects is running back Jaydn Ott from Oklahoma as a late-round option, but higher up the board is his number one ranked guard in the class, but not who you might think compared to Emmanuel Pregnon or Gennings Dunker.
Emory Hunt on his number one guard in the draft
“My number one guard in the class is Jalen Farmer out of Kentucky,” Jones said. “I am impressed with his film. The reason why I like him over everybody is the fact that—one thing I look at first when I evaluate prospects is your technique and how consistent you are with technique. Because as we get older, athleticism fades, speed fades, strength tends to fade. Your technique will stay with you forever. And he is the most technically sound guard combined with quickness, burst, agility.
“His hands stay inside all the time. He’s constantly getting movement when he’s engaged with the defender and he’s moving guys up out the way.
“Even though I have him as my number one guard, I expect him not to go in the first round. But he could be there when they pick again. And that’s the type of guy you can find later in the draft that can be a starter for you.
“I know big tackle propaganda has gotten to folks and thinking, ‘Oh, the left tackle, the left tackle, the blind side, blah, blah, blah.’ Offense needs to happen on the interior. The quarterbacks worth their salt can step up in the pocket, but there’s no pocket to step up into. Therein lies a problem. He gets sacked, there’s no offense, there’s no run game.”
Check out some of Farmer’s highlights here:
A small school cornerback for Seahawks fans to pay closer attention to
“How about a wild card throwing it out the way, I will go cornerback,” Later down the line, this is someone that that no one has talked about. I give you a small school guy in Charles Demmings from Stephen F. Austin. High level FCS football in the Southland Conference. Challenged a lot, tall at 6’3, 200 lbs, and can really run.“
The episode closes with the 12s Q&A segment, giving fans the opportunity to engage directly and be part of the conversation.
For Seahawks fans looking for thoughtful, detailed draft analysis with a championship lens, this is a show you won’t want to miss.
Stay Loud. Be Proud. Go Hawks!
Video
- How the draft aligns with Seahawks needs (8:18)
- Under-the-radar offensive line prospects (13:03)
- Underrated prospects who aren’t getting enough attention (18:58)
- Five prospect fits for the Seahawks (26:59)
- Live chat Q&A (30:13)
You can find The Hawks Eye Podcast on YouTube, Spotify, and here at Field Gulls, featuring in-depth Seahawks analysis, film breakdowns, and exclusive guest interviews every week.
