Riq Woolen
Getty
Bleacher Report's Alex Ballentine argued the "dream" 2026 NFL Draft first-round scenario for the Seattle Seahawks would be to replace Riq Woolen.
The Seattle Seahawks lost former Pro Bowl cornerback Riq Woolen in NFL free agency. But if the Seahawks get their ideal first round in the 2026 NFL Draft, the team will have Woolen’s replacement in Clemson cornerback Avieon Terrell.
That’s what Bleacher Report’s Alex Ballentine argued Friday. Ballentine identified Terrell as Seattle’s “dream” pick at No. 32 overall in the first round of the NFL Draft.
Ballentine spoke so highly of the hypothetical, he suggested Terrell will be an upgrade over Woolen for Seattle.
“The Seahawks have the privilege of picking last so they can hope the Cardinals (3rd), Rams (13th) and 49ers (27th) all make mistakes with their first-round picks,” Ballentine wrote. “Then a cornerback who fits Mike Macdonald’s system better than Riq Woolen, such as Avieon Terrell, falls to them to close out the round.”
Terrell posted 48 combined tackles with nine pass defenses during the 2025 campaign at Clemson. He didn’t have any interceptions, but he forced five fumbles last season.
Terrell, who is the younger brother of Atlanta Falcons former first-round pick A.J. Terrell, had three interceptions and eight forced fumbles in 39 college games.
Seahawks Projected to Pick CB Avieon Terrell in ‘Dream’ 2026 NFL Draft First Round
Sitting all the way back at No. 32 overall, it’s hard to have dreams for the first round. Just about every NFL team will have an opportunity to make a pick before the Seahawks to in the 2026 class.
Some draft pundits have also suggested the Seahawks could trade out of the No. 32 pick to acquire more selections. The Seahawks have picks in the first, second and third rounds in the 2026 NFL Draft, but after that, the Seahawks only have one selection.
Assuming the Seahawks stay at No. 32 overall, Ballentine sees Terrell as the team’s ideal pick and “dream” upgrade for Woolen.
ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. ranked Terrell as the No. 3 cornerback in the 2026 draft class. NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah rated Terrell at No. 34 overall on his big board.
Jeremiah sees Terrell contributing immediately as a slot cornerback. Woolen became the team’s No. 3 cornerback toward the end of his tenure. But Woolen was better suited for an outside role.
That could make Terrell a better fit for the Seahawks defense than Woolen was under head coach Mike Macdonald.
Seahawks Replacing CB Riq Woolen in 2026 NFL Season
The Seahawks lost a few key members of their Super Bowl roster. In addition to Woolen, safety Coby Bryant and edge rusher Boye Mafe signed with the Chicago Bears and Cincinnati Bengals, respectively.
Of course, on offense, running back Kenneth Walker joined the Kansas City Chiefs.
Replacing any of them with their first-round pick is probably ideal.
Adding a cornerback, though, will help the Seahawks keep their defense playing at an elite level. Seattle allowed the fewest points in the league and finished sixth in total defense on its way to the Super Bowl title. The Seahawks defense was also 10th in passing yards allowed and fifth in interceptions.
Although the Seahawks didn’t bring back Woolen, they re-signed Josh Jobe to continue starting opposite Devon Witherspoon. 2025 second-round pick Nick Emmanwori could play more in the slot next season as well.
In free agency, the Seahawks added Noah Igbinoghene as nickel cornerback depth.
Terrell would just solidify an already strong group.