Can you believe it? The Seattle Seahawks are about to kick off their 2026 season against the New England Patriots this Wednesday, and some folks are already looking two years down the line to the 2027 NFL Draft. That’s right, while we’re gearing up for Week 1, publications are dropping first-round mock drafts, and one has already penciled in our Hawks for a significant pick.
John Schneider’s Eyes Are Always on the Future D-Line
NFL Draft On SI, a Sports Illustrated Channel outlet, just released their latest 2027 first-round mock, using power rankings to decide the draft order. And guess where they’ve got our beloved Seahawks? Picking at No. 31 overall. That’s a late first-round pick, showing where they think our team stands heading into the future. The player they’ve tabbed for the Emerald City in 2027 is Clemson defensive end Will Heldt. This move makes so much sense when you think about how our GM, John Schneider, operates. He’s always liked to keep a deep rotation of four or five pass rushers on the roster. With players like DeMarcus Lawrence and Dante Fowler Jr. considered “aging veterans” by the report, it’s clear Schneider’s strategy includes bringing in fresh, young talent to keep that defensive line humming. Adding a player of Heldt’s caliber would perfectly fit the Seahawks’ long-term approach to dominating the trenches.
Will Heldt’s Stats Are Legit
This isn’t just some random name. Will Heldt sounds like a force to be reckoned with. The guy transferred to Clemson last season from Purdue and immediately made a huge impact. He led the Tigers in both tackles for loss with a whopping 15.5 and sacks with an impressive 7.5. That kind of production is exactly what you want to see from a top-tier pass rusher. Pro Football Focus backs it up too, with Heldt ranking third among returning Power Four edge defenders last season with an 84.4 overall grade. Even more eye-popping, his 87.8 PFF pass-rush grade on true pass sets landed him 14th in the entire Power Four. These aren’t just good numbers, these are “dominant rusher” numbers, and it’s no wonder he’s already on the Seahawks’ radar, even this far out. This kid has been making quarterbacks uncomfortable, and you know Coach Mike Macdonald loves that.
What’s Next for the Hawks
So, while everyone’s buzzing about a 2027 draft pick, let’s not forget the here and now! The 2026 season officially kicks off for our Seahawks this Wednesday when we face the New England Patriots. It’s the beginning of a whole new campaign, and we’re ready to see what this squad can do with Sam Darnold under center, and weapons like Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Rashid Shaheed, and Cooper Kupp making plays. But it’s also pretty cool to know that even as we start a new season, John Schneider is already looking years ahead, making sure our future pass rush, and our future as a team, stays strong. Keep an eye on Heldt this college season, but first, let’s go get this W on Wednesday!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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