Seahawks 2012 draft class was one of the best ever
By Keith Myers
The 2012 draft class for the Seattle Seahawks was universally hated by draft pundits, but turned out to be one of the greatest in NFL history.
The NFL Draft class for the Seattle Seahawks in 2012 was one of the best in history of the NFL. That isn’t hyperbole either. The data backs up that assessment.
Seattle drafted 10 players in 2012. Six of them have signed lucrative contracts in the last 12 months to be starters and foundational pieces of their current team. The other four were all on NFL rosters last season as well. Even four years later, that draft class is still a perfect 10 for 10.
At the time though, no one expected that group to be very good. Draft pundits universally hated Seattle’s class. All of the draft grades that came out that week were bad, but this one from Bleacher Report stands out as being particularly gross.
It was obvious after their rookie season that those initial grades couldn’t have been more incorrect. Four years after that draft, the group looks to be historically good.
Obviously, Russell Wilson is the best pick the draft. The Seahawks were able to get the franchise QB they desperately needed. They also were able to get wait until the third round before selecting him. It’s pretty rare for QB not drafted in the 1st round to become a starter, and Wilson has been a star since his rookie season.
The second round pick was Bobby Wagner. All he did was take over making the defensive calls early in training camp and lead a historically good defense that’s led the league in scoring for four straight seasons. Oh, and he’s also been named as an All-Pro.
Bruce Irvin and Jeremy Lane also have both been instrumental in Seattle’s incredible defense over the last four seasons. Irvin cashed in on that success with a massive contract with the Raiders. Lane re-signed with Seattle and will continue be a big piece of the Legion of Boom.
JR Sweezy converted from defense to offense and turned into a road grader of a run blocker. He’s now the high-priced centerpiece of Tampa Bay’s new offensive line.
Jaye Howard never really caught on in Seattle, but he’s been a big part of Kansas City’s defense the last two seasons. The Chiefs wasted no time in locking him up to a long term deal after last season.
Those are the six starters that Seattle’s 2012 draft class generated. The other four, Greg Scruggs, Robert Turbin, Korey Toomer, and Winston Guy (all drafted in round 4 or later) have all proven themselves useful enough to stick around in the NFL. Toomer and Scruggs would like be starters somewhere by now had it not been for a string of unfortunate injuries.
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Most draft classes from that year only have three players still in the league after four seasons. It is the nature of the NFL that only three of those 10 draft picks will be with the Seahawks next year even though they been successful players.
It was that 2012 draft class that transformed the Seahawks into a perennial championship contender. Not bad for “the only team that received an F on draft day.”