The NFL combine is fading away behind us and college pro days are happening before the NFL Draft in April. The initial frenzy of free agency has passed, and it is a bit of a slower period in the offseason. There are a lot of great Seahawks on the roster right now, and a fun way to categorize them is to see who is the best guy drafted in the first round and second round etc. And I am going to try and stick to players whom Seattle actually drafted, as opposed to anyone they traded for or picked up in free agency.
First Round
Germain Ifedi OT, 2016 pick 31
This was a choice between Ifedi and Rashaad Penny. Ifedi has been a starter since he got to Seattle and has improved steadily since then. Penny had a good first year, but he just did not get on the field enough to beat out Ifedi for this spot.
Two years ago, I would’ve picked nobody instead of Ifedi, but he has gotten better, and I am no longer so hard on him.
Second Round
Bobby Wagner MLB, 2012 pick 47
Seattle has quite a few standouts from the second round of the NFL Draft. Frank Clark and Jarran Reed were the top competition for Wagner here, and they will probably eclipse him in a few seasons.
But Wagner is still one of the best defenders in the NFL and has been for several years. He has outlasted the Legion of Boom and is still the premier player on this Seahawks defense.
Third Round
Russell Wilson QB, 2012 pick 75
This was the easy choice. Wilson is by far the best pick Seattle has made in the draft in more than a decade. He changed this team’s trajectory and has taken them to two Super Bowls.
Wilson could easily end his career with Seattle as the leader in every major passing category for the team. He is a once-in-a-generation talent we get to watch every season.
Fourth Round
K.J. Wright OLB, 2011 pick 99
He is the longest-tenured guy on the team right now. He was a pleasant surprise when he came out of the fourth round. He was starting almost immediately, and he has been locking down passing lanes and wrapping up ball carriers ever since.
Wright is one of the more underappreciated defenders in the league, but his steady production has endeared himself to fans of Seattle and of football in general.
Fifth Round
Kam Chancellor SS, 2010 pick 133
Yes, Chancellor is still on the team. He has been out with a neck injury for a while, but he has not made a decision on whether he will return or not. Chancellor was the tone-setter for one of the best defenses the NFL has seen in a long time. His big hits and smart plays were fodder for highlight videos and he is still known as one of the fiercest hitters in the NFL.
He is a leader on the field and in the locker room, and his mere presence means a lot to the team. I am also holding out hope that he plays again or becomes a Seahawks coach.
Sixth Round
Joey Hunt C, 2016 pick 215
Hunt is a versatile offensive lineman who has filled several spots for Seattle over the years. He does not have great strength or size, but he understands the offense and how to do his job.
Hunt will probably be a Seahawks backup for a long time.
Seventh Round
Chris Carson RB, 2017 pick 249
Carson is an explosive runner who plays with unreal strength. He is always breaking tackles, fighting for more yards and falling forward. Carson took over the starting spot his rookie year, then lost most of that year to injury. But in 2018 he really came into his own and established himself as Seattle’s long-term answer at the running back spot.
Even with the addition of Rashaad Penny, it does not look like Carson is in much danger of being put on the bench.
Undrafted
Doug Baldwin WR, 2011
Baldwin might not be able to pass Steve Largent as Seattle’s leading receiver, but he has been the best receiver on this roster for almost a decade now.
Baldwin is a master of route running and making the catch. There is nothing he cannot do and there is little defenders can do to stop him.
Baldwin is a fiery leader and a fierce competitor. He is fighting through some injuries and is having surgery this offseason.
He expects to be back and able to play in 2019 for Seattle.
