Seahawks could've traded out of Round 1 if not for Browns taking a risk

Coming into the 2026 NFL Draft, the Seattle Seahawks owned a league-low four picks in the draft, with their Nos. 32, 64, and 96 picks are being considered for the team to use in a trade-down.

While they wound up making eight picks, the Seahawks didn't end up using their first-round pick as a trade chip, unlike what looked very likely before the draft.

According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, the Seahawks could've had a trade-down out of Round 1 with the Cleveland Browns had it not been for a risky decision on Cleveland's part: their decision to be extremely patient.

Seahawks could've traded out of Round 1 if not for Browns' patience

"The Browns were also sweating out the 39th pick Friday night," Fowler writes. "They had considered trading back into the late first round for Washington receiver Denzel Boston. Seattle at 32 was a potential entry point the team discussed."

As Fowler notes, the Browns were discussing a trade-up from the No. 39 pick all the way up into Round 1 with the No. 32 pick from Seattle.

With Schneider and company being more than willing to move down in the draft, this trade could've been a nice coup for the Seahawks.

If they did make such a trade, they likely could've acquired a few nice draft picks down the board to further bolster their total pick count.

More: Seahawks trade idea would net Myles Garrett in Super Bowl favorites move

While they were able to still add more picks down the board, they might've been able to get some better selections had they moved back from No. 32 with Cleveland.

The odds that a team from No. 33 through 38 would've taken running back Jadarian Price were slim. The next RB taken after Price was the No. 90 pick in Round 3. Seattle likely would've been able to land Price and move down seven spots in this trade with Cleveland.

But the Browns were patient and didn't move up. Instead, they let the board fall their way, as they were able to land their preferred player without having to cough up any extra draft capital.

While Seattle missed out on a nice trade-back opportunity, they still wound up with a solid draft class and decent players, while the Browns got their target at No. 39, thanks in part to the San Francisco 49ers reaching for De'Zhuan Stribling at No. 33 overall.

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