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Free agency is almost here, and in typical fashion, the Seattle Seahawks haven’t taken care of their top unrestricted free agents just yet. Historically, this front office tends to move closer to the official start of the league year (or within the first few waves of signings) so the current silence isn’t exactly alarming. Still, that doesn’t stop us from doing what this time of year is really about: projecting forward.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at potential draft prospects who could step in if some of Seattle’s key unrestricted free agents move on.
Let’s get into it.
Boye Mafe: Gabe Jacas (Illinois)/Zion Young (Missouri)
If Boye Mafe doesn’t return to Seattle, the Seahawks would need to replace not just snaps, but motor and rotational production off the edge. That becomes even more pressing when you factor in the possibility that DeMarcus Lawrence could decide to retire. It’s also worth remembering that Mafe’s name surfaced in trade discussions around last season’s deadline.
Two intriguing options here are Gabe Jacas and Zion Young.
Jacas is a physical, explosive edge defender with strong run discipline and the ability to collapse the pocket whether aligned wide or tighter to the formation. He’s not the most fluid rusher in space, but he compensates with gap integrity and a clear understanding of leverage — traits that fit well in the multiple fronts Seattle has leaned on. He didn’t test at the Combine, but his verified measurements (6’4”, 260 pounds with 33-inch arms, slightly longer than his Senior Bowl listing) help his projection.
Zion Young brings a similar body type and power profile. He has the versatility to play as a traditional defensive end or kick inside on passing downs. His ceiling will depend on refining his hand usage and pass-rush plan, but the athletic tools are evident. In a transition year, either player could handle meaningful snaps early, even if matching Mafe’s production right away would be unrealistic.
Rashid Shaheed: KC Concepcion (Texas A&M) / Brennen Thompson (Mississippi State)
If Rashid Shaheed needs replacing, the priority is obvious: speed, explosiveness, and special teams impact. Shaheed stretches the field and flips momentum as a returner. Finding that combination isn’t easy.
KC Concepcion fits the modern offensive mold. He can align in the slot, operate in motion, and generate yards on manufactured touches like screens and quick hitters. His short-area quickness and spatial awareness make him a versatile weapon in an offense looking to create mismatches.
Brennen Thompson, meanwhile, is pure vertical speed. A true field stretcher who forces defenses to respect the deep ball from snap one. He still needs refinement in his route tree and more consistency at the catch point, but the top-end speed is real. From a role standpoint, he might be the closest stylistic match to what Shaheed provides.
Ken Walker: Jadarian Price (Notre Dame) / Mike Washington (Arkansas)
Replacing Kenneth Walker III would not be simple. Walker is explosive, creative, and capable of turning average blocking into chunk gains. That said, reports continue to suggest his long-term future may not necessarily be tied to Lumen Field.
As always, the draft offers options.
Jadarian Price combines vision with acceleration. He hits gaps decisively and contributes in the passing game — an increasingly valuable trait in today’s NFL. He may not have Walker’s same improvisational style, but he makes up for it with consistency and ball security. An added note: despite solid production, Price enters the league relatively “fresh,” having shared the backfield with Jeremiyah Love, widely projected as a potential top-10 pick.
Mike Washington, at first glance, looks like your classic 6’1”, 223-pound between-the-tackles runner built for red zone and short-yardage work. But a 4.33-second 40-yard dash changes that perception quickly. The combination of size and long speed gives him legitimate home-run ability — something that would appeal to any staff looking to maintain a physical run identity without sacrificing explosive plays.
Riq Woolen: Tacario Davis (Washington)
This might be the toughest year to replace Riq Woolen through the draft. The class leans heavily toward smaller, ultra-competitive corners — more “Spoons” than “Woolens” at the top.
Tacario Davis, however, fits the physical template Seattle has historically valued. Proportionally speaking, he’s closer to the long, linear mold Woolen brought into the league. He’s tall (6’4), owns impressive length, and has the straight-line speed to hold up in press and attack the catch point.
There’s still technical refinement needed, particularly in transitions against quicker receivers, but the athletic profile is undeniable. Before the college season began, Davis routinely showed up in first-round mock drafts. He didn’t quite solidify that status at Arizona or afterward, but the upside remains. Under Mike Macdonald’s defensive structure, he could be an intriguing developmental bet.
Josh Jobe: Colton Hood (Tennessee)
If Josh Jobe moves on, secondary depth becomes another quiet but important need.
Colton Hood profiles as a competitive, physical corner with strong short-area awareness. He may not have the elite testing profile of others mentioned here, but he plays with discipline and toughness. For a team that rotates defensive backs and leans on special teams contributions, Hood could carve out a role relatively quickly.
Final Thoughts
None of this guarantees Seattle will lose these UFAs. The Seahawks could very well retain key pieces once the market opens. But if change is coming, the draft offers realistic pathways to replenishing the roster — and this is the time of year to start connecting those dots.