The Seattle Seahawks did not just add defensive backs in the NFL draft. In Daniel Jeremiah’s view, they may have added the kind of edge that shows up on serious defenses.
Jeremiah, the NFL Network draft analyst and former NFL scout, praised Seattle’s draft during an interview with Seattle Sports, calling it a “boringly good draft” because the Seahawks repeatedly found players who made sense at their draft slots. But his most interesting comments came when the conversation turned to rookie defensive backs Bud Clark and Julian Neil — and the confidence both players showed after landing in Seattle.
Clark described himself as versatile, competitive and a “ball hawk.” Neil went further, saying he was “the most physical corner in this class” and adding that he presses receivers, locks them up and plays with a physical edge.
That could sound like normal rookie bravado. Jeremiah heard something more meaningful.
“There’s an edge that guys play with on great defenses,” Jeremiah said.
For a Seahawks team trying to shape its defense under Mike Macdonald, that is the part that matters.
Daniel Jeremiah Points to Seahawks’ Defensive ‘Wiring’
Jeremiah said Clark and Neil sounded like players who were not just confident, but irritated that they lasted as long as they did in the draft.
“That sounds like to me of the confidence not only in yourself but there’s also a little bit of anger in there of like I should have gone way higher than I did,” Jeremiah said. “And that’s kind of like that personal pride that those great players have no matter where they were picked.”
That is a useful distinction for Seattle. Macdonald’s defense asks defensive backs to tackle, disguise, communicate and handle changing assignments. That requires more than length and speed. It requires confidence.
Jeremiah said the best organizations are often separated not by their ability to see obvious physical traits, but by identifying the makeup that fits their team.
“I don’t know there’s that much difference in teams in terms of identifying the talent,” Jeremiah said. “But the difference is these teams that are consistently good — it’s the wiring and the makeup and being able to dial in what fits within your group and what makes a great team.”
Then Jeremiah tied it directly back to Seattle.
“That’s what Seattle’s done,” Jeremiah added. “They’ve done it now twice. They’ve built two different teams with edgy guys who match the way they want to play.”
That is not Jeremiah saying Clark and Neil are the next Legion of Boom. That would be too much, too soon. But it is notable because it suggests Seattle’s draft was not only about filling needs. It was also about adding a certain type of defensive personality.
Bud Clark Has the Clearer Path to Early Snaps
Clark appears to be the more immediate piece.
Jeremiah said Clark was his No. 58 overall player, while Seattle landed him at No. 64. He praised Clark’s tape, Senior Bowl performance, production and instincts, saying Clark was “dripping with instincts.”
Asked whether Clark and Neil could contribute as rookies, Jeremiah was clearer on Clark.
“I think Bud for sure,” Jeremiah said. “I think absolutely you’ll see him get on the field. He can play a couple different spots and do different things.”
Neil’s timeline may be longer, but Jeremiah still liked the value. He said Neil was his No. 86 player and Seattle got him at No. 99 after trading back. Jeremiah described Neil as a huge corner who can run, carry vertical routes and use his recovery speed.
“I think maybe more insurance,” Jeremiah said of Neil, adding that Seattle could see “a better version of him in year two and year three” once the coaching staff gets its hands on him.
That makes Neil less of an instant-impact projection, but not a throwaway pick.
Jeremiah’s larger point is what gives the Seahawks’ draft some juice. Seattle drafted rookies who arrived sounding like they already believe they belong.
“You’ll get swallowed up by the alphas if you don’t have some of that in you,” Jeremiah said.
Clark has the instincts and versatility to push for early snaps. Neil has the size and attitude to develop into something more than a depth corner. Together, they give the Seahawks two more young defensive backs who appear comfortable carrying themselves with an edge.
For a defense still trying to define its next era, that is more than post-draft noise. It is a clue about the kind of team Seattle is trying to build.
NFL Insider Sees Familiar Seahawks Trait in Newly Drafted Rookies