Seattle Seahawks 2012 NFL Draft – An Interesting Ride So Far

3 rounds down. 4 to go. And after the Raiders just made the 95th pick of the draft, Seahawk fans are left in a state of bewilderment. Add the fact that they picked up 4 extra picks with two well timed trades, and you’ve got to be feeling like you just got off the same roller-coaster of emotion I did.

It began at 5:00 PDT yesterday. The Colts began the festivities with their long expected selection of Andrew Luck. The Redskins followed suit with the selection of RGIII. And then the fun began. A flurry of trades swamped the early portion of the 1st round, including the Seahawks. When the 12th pick was upon us, the ‘Hawks elected to trade back 3 picks in exchange for Philadelphia’s 4th round, and 6th round picks. When the 15th pick was on the clock, the Seahawks were expected to take one of the top Defensive Ends available. And that they did. Just not the one you or I had any inkling about.

When “Bruce Irvin” came out of the commissioners’ mouth, I can only imagine every Seahawks fan that was watching shared the same few seconds of dead silence that ensued. As Mel Kiper put it, “Baffling.” But as I watched video of Irvin, and researched further, I came to find myself feeling more and more at ease with this pick. The Seahawks need more than Chris Clemons to get to the Quarterback. According to Mike Mayock, Irvin is the best pure pass rusher in the draft. Listen to Irvin’s interview on KJR, and the teleconference with the media, and all the sudden I find myself a bit excited.

The Second Round began with a board full of value, and with the 11th pick of the round, the Seahawks were again in prime position to land another contributor to the roster. Well, that was to be postponed. When the time came to pick, we found the ‘Hawks trading back again, to the 15th spot, this time with the Jets. Netting a 5th and 7th round pick to move back 4 spots. Another great move to take advantage of the late round success the Seahawks have had in the past couple drafts. When it was time to pick, the Seahawks chose Linebacker Bobby Wagner out of Utah State. A prototypical Middle Linebacker, Wagner is a tackling machine who brings his hard-hat to the field every game. A great motor, and highly productive, Wagner projects to challenge for immediate playing time with the injuries to Barrett Ruud, and the loss of David Hawthorne. A solid pick by the ‘Hawks.

As the 3rd Round kicked off, the Seahawks were set to pick at the 12th spot, and this time, there was to be no trade. The selection came in, and, once again, the majority of the 12th Man was left stunned. Russell Wilson, Quarterback from North Carolina State/Wisconsin. Huh? A Quarterback? And if so, Russell Wilson? Sure, the guy was productive as all get up at both schools, is a proven leader, and even was selected in the Major League Baseball draft by the Colorado Rockies. I have to say this was a curious pick in the 3rd round. With the signing of Matt Flynn, and the incumbent starter Tarvaris Jackson as well as a young, promising talent in Josh Portis, why would the Seahawks take a 4th QB? With such a high pick? Listening to the powers that be, there’s a lot to like about Wilson, and to wait any longer would of meant the possibility of missing out on his services. As with all draft picks, only time will tell.

Heading into the final day of the draft, the Seahawks are still looking at another 2 picks in the 4th round, one in the 5th, 2 more in the 6th, and finally 2 in the 7th as well. Plenty of time to add more depth, and competition throughout the roster. While the first 2 days of the draft proved a stretch of the imagination for Seahawks Nation, I believe in what the leadership has done with the roster so far, and have every confidence in them moving forward. Stay tuned.