Mike Macdonald Mitch Van Vooren
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Head coach Mike Macdonald and the Seattle Seahawks released undrafted tight end Mitch Van Vooren on Friday.
The Seattle Seahawks have done some work to build up their interior defensive line, which is now considered to be among the league’s best.
But the team could use some help and depth at edge rusher, with one analysis predicting they will find it in next year’s NFL Draft. Fox Sports published an early prediction at the 2026 draft, which has the Seahawks taking one of the most talented pass rushers in the upcoming draft class.
Seahawks Add ‘Monster’ Size
The mock draft had the Seahawks picking 13th — meaning they would fall short of the NFL playoffs — and taking Auburn edge rusher Keldric Faulk. The analysis noted that Faulk has shown some striking potential through his first two collegiate seasons.
“Faulk is a monster at 6-foot-6, 288 pounds and displayed incredible ability to blow past offensive tackles last season,” the report noted. “He posted 11 TFL, seven sacks and 45 total tackles for the Tigers in his true sophomore season.”
Though there is still an entire college football season to be played, followed by a draft combine, some analysts believe that Faulk has the look of a top 10 draft pick. CBS Sports analyst Mike Renner wrote that Faulk appears worthy of a top pick in the upcoming draft.
“This upcoming edge class is BIG,” Renner wrote. “Not only in terms of talent, but quite literally in terms of size. I wouldn’t be surprised if, come draft day, we see five first-round defensive ends who tip the scales at more than 270 pounds. Compared to the zero we saw last spring and one in 2024 (Darius Robinson Jr.), it will feel like we’ve turned back the clock 30 years!”
Renner added that Faulk could be the top edge rusher in next year’s NFL draft.
“When you have the kind of length, explosiveness and strength that Faulk has, evaluators will be lining up to see what your future holds,” Renner wrote.
The Seahawks made some significant moves in the aim of improving their standing, signing quarterback Sam Darnold after a career-best season. If they should make the playoffs, it could put them out of the range to draft a player like Faulk.
Seahawks Building Up Their Defensive Line
The Seahawks have put together a deep and talented defensive line, with ESPN ranking the position No. 1 in the league. The report noted that they have several Pro Bowl-caliber defensive linemen in the middle.
“A contender for this honor one year ago, the Seahawks remain stacked up front with Leonard Williams leading the way,” the report noted. “Williams is still playing at a superstar level at 31, as he led all interior linemen with 11 sacks and ranked fourth with 35 pass rush wins last season. Jarran Reed (4.5 sacks in 2024) and Johnathan Hankins are also back. And 2024 first-round pick Byron Murphy II is a candidate for a second-year leap after a solid rookie showing.”
The Seahawks under head coach Mike Macdonald employ a deep rotation at defensive line, making the team’s depth very important to their success. They made some upgrades in that regard, replacing struggling Dre’Mont Jones with four-time Pro Bowler DeMarcus Lawrence.