If the first day of the NFL Draft is about securing a franchise cornerstone, Day 2 is about building the bones of your roster. For the Seattle Seahawks, general manager John Schneider and head coach Mike Macdonald made it clear where the team needs to improve most: a disruptive, ball-hawking secondary that can match the explosive offenses of the NFC West.
On Thursday night, the Seahawks used their second-round pick (No. 64 overall) to select TCU safety Bud Clark and doubled down in the third round at No. 99 overall by taking Arkansas cornerback Julian Neal. With these two additions, Seattle addressed the glaring hole created by the departure of starting cornerback Riq Woolen and injected versatility and playmaking aggression that could define this defense for years to come.
Let's break down what each player brings to the Pacific Northwest and what these selections mean for the Seahawks' defensive outlook in 2026 and beyond.
Bud Clark, Safety, TCU - Pick No. 64
Bud Clark is exactly the kind of safety modern NFL defenses crave. At 6-foot-1 and 200 pounds, he has the size to play near the line of scrimmage and the range to patrol the deep middle of the field. What stands out most about Clark is his ball production. Over his final two seasons at TCU, Clark intercepted eight passes and defended 15 others, showcasing a knack for turning defense into offense.
What immediately jumps off film is Clark's instincts. He doesn't just react to plays; he anticipates them. His fluid backpedal and sudden breaks allow him to close in on passes that many safeties would only get a hand on late. For a Seahawks defense with a history of forcing turnovers -- harkening back to the Legion of Boom era -- Clark fits as a centerfielder destined to flip field position regularly.
Clark's skills extend beyond coverage. He is a willing, physical run defender unafraid to meet ball carriers head-on. His quick play recognition helps him diagnose run-pass options efficiently. This versatility makes him a natural fit for Macdonald's defense, which depends on disguise and flexibility in defensive back alignments.
Seattle already has a talented young safety in Julian Love, but the secondary lacked a true dynamic playmaker on the back end. Clark enters an immediate competition for a starting role. Whether lining up alongside Love as the deep safety or dropping into nickel packages, Clark offers the defensive staff a versatile weapon ready to be deployed creatively.
One area for improvement is Clark's tackling consistency. On occasion, he can be overly aggressive with his shoulder instead of wrapping up, leading to broken tackles. That is a teachable flaw that NFL coaching can address. Given his physical tools and football IQ, Clark's foundation is pro ready.
Julian Neal, Cornerback, Arkansas - Pick No. 99
If Clark embodies splashy playmaking at safety, Julian Neal is a vital yet more understated piece at cornerback. Seattle entered the draft needing a third cornerback following Riq Woolen's departure in free agency. Woolen's combination of length and speed was unique, but his inconsistency in coverage left room for an upgrade. Neal may not have Woolen's elite sub-4.4 speed, but he brings technical refinement and competitive toughness that the Seahawks' defensive backs coach and coordinator will value.
At 6-foot-2 and 195 pounds, Neal possesses ideal size for press-man coverage on the boundary. He excels at the line of scrimmage, using his long arms to disrupt receivers' releases while his quick feet allow him to mirror routes precisely.
Neal's ball skills are genuine. He tracks the ball in the air with the instincts of a former wide receiver, able to high-point passes and get his hands on the ball cleanly without drawing pass interference. This trait is critical for a cornerback who will inevitably be tested by the likes of Deebo Samuel, Puka Nacua, and Seattle's own DK Metcalf.
What sets Neal apart from many mid-round cornerbacks is his willingness to support the run game. Arkansas asked its corners to be physical in run support, and Neal answered the call reliably. He is a sure tackler who doesn't shy away from contact, an essential prerequisite for Seattle's defensive scheme. Head coach Macdonald values gap integrity and physicality from his secondary, making Neal a natural fit.
The Seahawks now project a starting cornerback trio with Devon Witherspoon on one side, rookie Julian Neal on the other, and Tre Brown likely sliding into the nickel role. This group combines youth, athleticism, and competitive fire. Witherspoon, the No. 5 overall pick in 2023, has already established himself as one of the league's most disruptive defensive backs. Neal's size and discipline should give the defense more confidence to dial up aggressive blitz packages and complex coverages.
What This Means for the Seahawks' Defensive Identity
Seattle's defense showed flashes of being a top-10 unit in 2025, but consistency remained elusive. The pass rush was solid; the linebacking corps above average; but the secondary was a rollercoaster. By drafting two likely starters in their defensive backfield, Macdonald and Schneider are laying groundwork for long-term stability.
Bud Clark and Julian Neal are versatile, intelligent, and physical. They don't just patch holes on the depth chart--they elevate competition across the room. Julian Love, Tre Brown, and veteran slot cornerback Coby Bryant now have to earn every snap behind this infusion of talent. Clark and Neal's presence will sharpen the unit, pushing everyone to be more disciplined and aggressive.
The draft capital Seattle invested in cornerbacks and safeties signals confidence that the foundation in the front seven is already solid. With Leonard Williams anchoring the defensive line and a promising young pass-rush rotation, the clear path to defensive success is forcing the quarterback into tight windows and turning those tight throws into turnovers.
Final Analysis
Seattle executed a masterful Day 2 in the 2026 NFL Draft. While the first round targeted other needs, the second and third rounds allowed them to truly reshape their roster in a vital area. Bud Clark and Julian Neal are Day 1 starters with legitimate upside to develop into Pro Bowl-caliber defenders. Clark brings the ball-hawking presence the Seahawks' secondary has lacked since Earl Thomas's prime. Neal brings lockdown perimeter potential that will allow the entire defense to be more fearless and aggressive.
For a Seahawks team aiming to push deep into the playoffs in a fiercely competitive NFC West, these picks could be the difference between falling short and making a meaningful run in January. The arrow is undoubtedly pointing upward in Seattle, and--this draft class shows--especially at defensive back.