The Seattle Seahawks sat back and allowed the Kansas City Chiefs to pay the “Super Bowl tax” to sign running back Kenneth Walker III in the early stages of free agency, plucking the Super Bowl MVP from an offense where he was the ultimate force multiplier. Now, general manager John Schneider may have the Seahawks’ ideal value play to replace Walker in sight during the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft.
Walker’s departure creates a major void in Seattle’s offense, after rushing for a career-high 1,027 yards with five touchdowns last season before running roughshod over the New England Patriots for multiple explosive runs in the Seahawks’ Super Bowl victory.
Now, Schneider and Seattle may be primed to reset the financial clock at running back and prioritize taking one of the top players at the position, early in next month’s draft.
NFL Draft 2026: Seahawks urged to add Arkansas RB Mike Washington Jr.
Aug 15, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald stands on the sideline during the fourth quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images
Aug 15, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald stands on the sideline during the fourth quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images
Over at SeahawksWire, Justin Melo put together his latest seven-round mock draft projection for Seattle’s 2026 draft class, including adding Arkansas running back Mike Washington Jr., with the No. 64 overall pick in the second round of next month’s draft.
“Losing Kenneth Walker III to the Kansas City Chiefs means the Seahawks will be drafting his replacement,” Melo writes. “Signing Emanuel Wilson was a depth move and does not address the actual need. Arkansas running back Mike Washington Jr. ran a 4.33-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine, establishing himself as a top-64 pick.”
Last season, Washington rushed for a career-high 1,070 yards with eight touchdowns, in an expanded role last season, and could be a seamless addition, as an early-round NFL Draft pick, to the Seahawks’ backfield as Seattle begins its Super Bowl title defense in 2026.
Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III
Feb 8, 2026; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) against the New England Patriots during Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images