Seahawks met with a former first-round pick who is now a free agent, who would improve a position of need ahead of the draft
The Seattle Seahawks are getting a closer look at a former first-round pick and current free agent ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft, who could be a great fit to replace a key player who left the team in free agency.
The Seattle Seahawks‘ road to repeating as Super Bowl champions won’t be easy.
They saw multiple notable free agents walk this offseason, which hurt their chances. Many thought their focus had already moved to the draft. However, the team clearly still has an eye on the Dre agency market.
The Seahawks brought a former first-round pick in for a visit ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft. A player who is only one season removed from recording a double-digit sack total.
Seahawks hosted free agent edge rusher Dante Fowler for a visit
Seattle hosted edge rusher Dante Fowler for a visit on Thursday. The third overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft is an intriguing option to replace Boye Mafe. Mafe left in free agency to sign with the Cincinnati Bengals. So adding a speed rusher this offseason would make a ton of sense. Whether that be through the draft or free agency.
If they wanted to go the vet route through free agency, Fowler could make a lot of sense. He will turn 32 before the season starts, so that would be a short-term fix-type move. But he recorded 10.5 sacks as recently as 2024.
He has also been pretty healthy in recent years. He has appeared in all 17 games in each of the last four seasons. He’s been a solid rotational piece that can start in a pinch when necessary. That would fit well with the Seahawks’ pass-rush-by-committee approach.
Signing Fowler would open up a lot of possibilities for Seattle early in the draft. They wouldn’t feel the need to replace Mafe with an early pick and could look to other positions instead.
Some that come to mind being safety, running back, and cornerback. If they sign Fowler, it doesn’t mean they couldn’t still target an edge early. But it’s always better to enter the draft with as few glaring holes as possible. Otherwise, teams will be able to read your draft plan like a book.
