SEATTLE — The confetti has barely settled on the Super Bowl LX parade, but general manager John Schneider doesn’t have the luxury of a hangover. While the 12s are still rewatching the defensive masterclass that strangled the New England Patriots in New Orleans, the Seahawks front office is staring down a loaded gun: free agency.
Maintaining the NFL’s most dominant defense—the unit that just delivered a second Lombardi Trophy—requires ruthless math. With cornerbacks Josh Jobe and Riq Woolen set to hit the open market, Seattle needs a reload, not a rebuild. The answer might be waiting at pick No. 32 in the 2026 NFL Draft.
The ‘Physical Cover Man’ Solution
According to NFL.com Senior Editor Dan Parr, the Seahawks are primed to snag Tennessee standout Colton Hood to close out the first round. Parr labels Hood a “physical cover man” who “should fit well in Seattle,” a sentiment that aligns perfectly with Mike Macdonald’s aggression-first philosophy.
Hood isn’t just a cover corner; he’s a brawler. After transferring from Colorado to Tennessee for the 2025 season, he established himself as a press-man nightmare for SEC receivers. JT Ruhnke of AtoZ Sports notes that “Hood’s bread and butter is defending in man coverage,” highlighting his ability to jam at the line of scrimmage.
This sounds eerily familiar to the blueprint Seattle used to stifle the Patriots’ passing attack two weeks ago.
“He’s aggressive from the snap and has the play strength to jam well in press-man.”
— JT Ruhnke, AtoZ Sports Analysis
Why Jobe’s Exit Feels Inevitable
Josh Jobe’s performance in Super Bowl LX was the stuff of contract-year legend. He didn’t just cover Patriots wideout Kayshon Boutte; he bullied him. On a critical early third down, Jobe won the physical battle at the line, erasing the route and forcing a punt. That flexibility allowed defensive coordinator Aden Durde to deploy rookie safety Nick Emmanwori in the slot and let Devon Witherspoon roam as a nickel weapon.
Jobe’s 2025 campaign was a revelation. Against the Steelers in Week 2, he allowed a 0.0 passer rating—two catches for eight yards on eight targets. He became the underrated catalyst for a secondary that shifted shapes constantly, confusing quarterbacks from Week 1 through the Super Bowl.
But that dominance comes with a price tag. Jobe has played his way into a massive payday, likely pricing himself out of Seattle. Woolen, despite his Pro Bowl pedigree, was plagued by penalties this season, making his future murky. Schneider has a history of letting veterans walk a year early rather than a year late, especially when the draft offers a cost-controlled clone like Hood.
NHANFL Verdict: A Seamless Transition?
Drafting Hood is a calculated risk. Rookies rarely replicate the savvy of a four-year vet like Jobe immediately. However, Hood’s profile masks his deficiencies in a way that suits Seattle’s system. While he struggles tracking the ball vertically—a flaw the Seahawks’ safety help can mitigate—his ability to physically disrupt routes at the snap meshes instantly with the “Dark Side” identity.
If Jobe walks, Hood allows Macdonald to keep his versatile chess pieces moving without sacrificing the physical edge that just won a championship.
