There has never been a 6-foot-5 cornerback in the NFL. Mike Macdonald and the Seattle Seahawks defense could have the first one during the 2026 campaign.
The Tacoma News Tribune’s Gregg Bell reported the Seahawks announced Thursday plans to switch wide receiver Tyrone Broden to cornerback.
Should Broden play in a regular season game, he will make history as the tallest cornerback ever in the NFL.
“At 6-foot-5, Broden now becomes the tallest cornerback in the league,” wrote Pro Football Talk’s Michael David Smith. “In fact, if he plays in a regular-season game at cornerback, he’d be the tallest in league history: According to pro-football-reference.com, no player listed at taller than 6-foot-4 has ever played cornerback in a regular-season game.”
Broden was an undrafted free agent last offseason for Seattle. The team waived him at the end of August but brought him back a couple times in October.
On February 12, the Seahawks signed Broden to a reserve/futures contract.
Seahawks Moving Tyrone Broden to Cornerback
Broden spent six years in college playing wide receiver for Bowling Green and Arkansas.
He experienced statistical success during his final two campaigns with the Falcons. Broden eclipsed the 500-yard mark in 2021 and 2022 while averaging at least 15.8 yards per reception.
In the SEC with the Razorbacks, Broden had a little more trouble contributing. He had 15 catches during 2023 and 2024. In 2024, he also had 197 receiving yards and one touchdown.
The Seahawks believed in Broden enough to sign him as an undrafted free agent. The team brought him back for a practice squad stint in the middle of the 2025 season.
This offseason, it’s clear Seattle still likes Broden’s physical traits. The team just wants to see if it can translate to defense.
SI on Seahawks’s Michael Hanich argued the position change could lead to more playing time for Broden this summer.
“There are several reasons why a player would make a position going into their second year in the league,” wrote Hanich. “One of the biggest reasons is that it could potentially help them get on the field more.
“At 6-5, 194 pounds, Broden has great size and frame. He also possesses great athleticism and speed to break away from the defensive back. At the corner, however, he has the reaction and speed to match many deep receivers in deep vertical coverage.”
What Role Could Broden Have on Mike Macdonald’s Defense
Broden will be joining a Seahawks defense that has experienced some turnover in the secondary. Seattle lost cornerback Riq Woolen and safety Coby Bryant in NFL free agency.
The Seahawks restocked their secondary, though, during the 2026 NFL Draft. On Day 2, the team grabbed safety Bud Clark in the second round and cornerback Julian Neal in the third. Then on Day 3, the Seahawks selected cornerbacks Andre Fuller and Michael Dansby.
Broden should be familiar with Neal. The two played together at Arkansas and likely lined up against each other at times during practice.
Broden will probably compete with those three rookies along with cornerbacks Nehemiah Pritchett and Shemar Jean-Charles for playing time. Devon Witherspoon and Josh Jobe will return as the Seahawks starting cornerbacks.
Seahawks Set to Make History With 6-Foot-5 Cornerback