CB Julian Neal confident, Devon Witherspoon-style, as Seahawks’ 3rd-round pick
· Yahoo Sports
The backfills of Seahawks departures on their top-ranked, Super Bowl-champion secondary continues.
Seattle used its third-round selection in the 2026 NFL draft on Julian Neal, a tall, strong cornerback from Arkansas at 99th-overall pick, the next-to-last one of the third round.
Visit extonnews.click for more information.
Neal is 6 feet 1 5/8 inches tall and 203 pounds. He played three seasons at Fresno State before going to the Southeastern Conference for the 2025 season. He’s known for his physical, press coverage at the line of scrimmage — a prerequisite in Macdonald’s Seahawks defense.
“I’m the most physical corner in this draft class,” Neal declared Friday night after he got drafted, from his family home in San Francisco. “I use my arms to my advantage. I use my length. I use my durability -- never gotten hurt. I never missed a game in college from being hurt.
“I hit guys at the line. It’s box time!”
Oh, yes, the newest Seahawks cornerback will have a friend in Pro Bowl veteran Devon Witherspoon. Neal does not lack in confidence.
“I’m going to go punch on somebody,” he said of his style of playing cornerback. “I’m going to go punch somebody at the line. I’m in press. I’m going to get all up in your face.”
The native of San Francisco was recruited by Eastern Washington University. He played safety initially at Fresno State at safety, then moved to safety. He’s also played nickel, slot coverage inside.
Seattle lost cornerback Riq Woolen in free agency to Philadelphia last month. Woolen, a former Pro Bowl Seahawks, signed a $12 million, one-year deal with the Eagles.
The selection came after the Seahawks traded back three spots from 96 with Pittsburgh, and gained from the Steelers the final pick of the sixth round Saturday. Seattle now has five total choices in this draft, tied for fewest in the league this weekend.
The trade down then pick came about a couple hours after Seattle selected ball-hawking TCU safety Bud Clark to end the second round. That choice came a month after starting safety Coby Bryant left the Super Bowl champions and signed a rich, free-agent contract with the Chicago Bears.
All three of the Seahawks’ picks in this draft so far are filling for notable departures off the team that won Super Bowl 60 in February.
Thursday, the Seahawks ended the first round by choosing Notre Dame running back Jadarian Price as the heir to departed Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker.