2026 Seahawks Draft: Seahawks select cornerback Julian Neal, gain extra pick

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Memphis' Marcello Bussey (6) has the ball pulled out of his hands by Arkansas' Julian Neal (23) during the game between Memphis and Arkansas at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium in Memphis, Tenn., on September 20, 2025. | Chris Day/The Commercial Appeal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Seattle Seahawks will not leave the 2026 NFL Draft with just the four selections they entered with. They started their weekend by selecting Notre Dame running back Jadarian Price at the end of Round 1, followed that up by taking former TCU star safety Bud Clark at 64th overall, and with the 96th pick they traded down three spots with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Seattle also picked up a sixth-rounder (No. 216) from the Steelers to assure itself of a fifth pick.

With the 99th pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, the Seattle Seahawks select…

Julian Neal, cornerback, Arkansas​

Neal is a big corner. He’s listed at 6’1 5/8” and 203 pounds, with long arms (32 3/4”) and a good 40-yard dash for someone his size (4.49 secs, 1.58 second split). He’s physical and plays the run well, which feels like a requirement for a Mike Macdonald corner.

Take a look at Dane Brugler’s scouting report summary:

A one-year starter at Arkansas (and one-and-a-half-year starter overall), Neal was a perimeter cornerback in former defensive coordinator Travis Williams’ man/zone scheme. A former hooper and wide receiver, he showed gradual improvements at corner over his time at Fresno State and was graded by NFL teams over the summer as a “low-money” undrafted free agent. However, he transferred to Arkansas in 2025 and changed the narrative with an impressive senior campaign.

Neal matches up well physically and plays to his size in different ways. He crowds receivers at the line, pins opponents against the sideline and contests catch points (when he finds the football) — you can see his receiver background in his ball skills and catch-point timing. He also shows his physicality when getting off blocks and working downhill as a tackler. He lacks suddenness in his mirroring footwork, however, and his technique tends to fall apart versus twitchy receivers.

Welcome to Seattle, Mr. Neal!

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