The Seattle Seahawks loaded up on cornerbacks in the 2026 NFL Draft, taking Arkansas’ Julian Neal in the third round, followed by Toledo’s Andre Fuller and Arizona’s Michael Dansby in the seventh round.
We’ll focus on the Neal and Fuller selections. They’re both known for being physical corners who excel in zone coverage, which is what the Seahawks overwhelmingly run in Mike Macdonald’s defensive scheme. There’s also something else that makes these two stand out from everyone else in the draft.
There
were 31-32 cornerbacks (depending on how a couple of CBs may transfer to safety and vice-versa) who were measured at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. Using Sports Info Solutions’ draft tool, I narrowed down the corners in the entire class who weighed at least 200 pounds:
- Julian Neal (203 lbs)
- Andre Fuller (200 lbs)
That’s it. Seattle just drafted the two heaviest corners in this year’s class. They’re also the heaviest cornerbacks on the Seahawks’ current roster. Take a look at the rest of the group:
- Devon Witherspoon – 185 lbs
- Josh Jobe – 190 lbs
- Shemar Jean-Charles – 184 lbs
- Nehemiah Pritchett – 190 lbs
- Noah Igbinoghene – 197 lbs
Incidentally, Neal and Fuller are now the tallest Seahawks corners, which is important to note given the loss of 6’4 Riq Woolen to the Philadelphia Eagles.
The average NFL cornerback is hovering in the low 190s in weight, but the Seahawks have rostered their fair share of bigger corners over the years. Riq Woolen was 210 lbs, but his blazing speed was his standout quality. Current Panthers starter Mike Jackson Sr similarly was about 210 lbs. Back in the Legion of Boom days, Brandon Browner and Byron Maxwell were well above 200, while DeShawn Shead weighed 216 as a converted safety. They’ve had a type for a long time such that it precedes Mike Macdonald, but this looks to be an area where the Seahawks are looking to continue that tradition. What Neal and Fuller lack in long speed they make up for with ability and willingness to bring ball carriers down.
Another thing to note with Seattle’s new corners is their positional versatility. Check out these quotes from their introductory conference calls.
Julian Neal
“I started out at Fresno State, I played safety and got moved to corner in 2023. I played a little bit. I had a fresh offseason in [2024]. We felt like it was time to show the world that I can play at the highest level of football. I entered the portal and got to Arkansas and now I’m here. Times 100.”
Andre Fuller
“When I first got to Toledo, I played nickel, then I moved to corner and then I moved to safety, and then back to corner. So, I played every position in our secondary.”
Flexibility in the secondary is seemingly a must for Mike Macdonald. Even second-round pick Bud Clark has experience as a nickel corner in addition to being a standout safety.
I said prior to the start of the draft that the Seahawks addressing the cornerback room was non-negotiable. They’ve ticked the boxes and then some, and this position will be one to watch closely throughout training camp.
