Was Seahawks 2010 draft class the franchise’s best?
Feb 2, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Seattle Seahawks safety Earl Thomas (29) during Super Bowl XLVIII against the Denver Broncos at MetLife Stadium. The Seahawks defeated the Broncos 43-8. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
The Seahawks have one of the best teams in the NFL and a recent article from NFL.com suggested that Seattle’s 2010 draft class is the biggest reason why.
In fact, the article argues that the class may be the best in the history of the Seahawks franchise.
Do you remember who the Seahawks selected in that draft which was now four years ago?
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Most of those players contributed in one way or another to helping the Seahawks win their first Super Bowl last season.
Thomas has made the Pro Bowl three times, Chancellor has been named to the game twice and Okung has been there once.
NFL.com defended the class as the best in Seahawks history:
"With apologies to the 1990 draft featuring Hall of Famer Cortez Kennedy and productive running back Chris Warren, the 2010 class is already the strongest in franchise history.Forming the league’s most-imposing safety tandem, Earl Thomas and Kam Chancellor led a historically great pass defense that stonewalled the Broncos’ record-breaking offense in Super Bowl XLVIII.The 2010 draft also featured Pro Bowl left tackle Russell Okung, top-notch nickelback Walter Thurmond, wide receiver Golden Tate — all of whom contributed to the lone Lombardi Trophy in Seahawks history."
After Seattle picked up those players, they began to play like a true competitor in the NFC West.
Then they used the next two drafts to get even better.
In 2011, the Seahawks selected K.J. Wright, Richard Sherman, Byron Maxwell and Malcolm Smith, among others. The following year they drafted Bruce Irvin, Bobby Wagner, Russell Wilson, Robert Turbin and Jeremy Lane.
Many doubted the Seahawks wisdom in the front office immediately following both of these drafts, but it’s safe to say that Seattle’s last few drafts have been absolutely successful.
When Thursday night’s draft rolls around later this week, the result should be no different.