A Brief History of John Schneider and 1st Round Picks
By Jacob Sosler
A look back at six years of picks in the first round of the draft by John Schneider and the Seattle Seahawks. He’s done better with those picks than you might think.
The NFL Draft starts this Thursday, and Seattle currently owns the 26th pick of the first round. Provided they keep the pick, it will be the first time John Schneider has picked in round one since their selection of Bruce Irvin in 2012.
The general consensus is that Seattle excels at finding late round gems, but their draft prowess does not extend to the 1st round. While John Schneider has made mistakes before (I’m looking at you, Percy Harvin), more often than not, they have added high impact talent to their roster in the first round, including Earl Thomas III or Bruce Irvin.
This year, landing another difference maker is vital if they want to continue their run as one of the NFC’s elite.
2010
After the previous front office acquired an extra first round pick from Denver the year before, John Schneider went into his first draft armed with two picks in the top 15. He hit two home runs, snagging Oklahoma State offensive tackle Russell Okung at #6 and Texas free safety Earl Thomas III at #14.
Okung was an athletic freak coming out of Oklahoma State. His prototypical left tackle size combined with his 36-inch arms that bench pressed a ridiculous 38 reps at the NFL combine, plus his fantastic tape, made him enticing to Seattle at sixth overall.
He has struggled with injury problems in the NFL, but he manned the LT spot in Seattle for six years. Okung made the Pro Bowl in 2012 and started every Seahawks playoff game during his time in Seattle. He signed an incentive-laden contract with the Broncos this offseason.
Despite being the second of Seattle’s two first round picks in 2010, Earl Thomas III has been the better of the two selections. His speed, instincts, and range have made him one of the best safeties in the NFL. Through his passion, tenacity and leadership, Thomas III has been the heart and soul of Seattle’s record breaking defense.
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