10 worst Seattle Seahawks draft picks of the Pete Carroll era
By Luke Allen
No. 4 - Dee Eskridge - Seahawks wide receiver (2021)
Pete Carroll did not have much luck drafting wide receivers. In 2021, the Seahawks - and this is a shocker - did not have a first-round pick. Unfortunately, one of the picks sent over to New York in the Jamal Adams trade was that pick. Seattle was a little thin at wide receiver after Doug Baldwin retired, and the Seahawks only had two real productive receivers in Lockett and Metcalf. However, the most pressing need on that squad was the offensive line.
Seahawks fans were collectively begging the team to draft Creed Humphrey, the All-American center from Alabama. Fortuitously, the board was falling incredibly favorably for Seattle to land their franchise center - a position that had been in flux since Max Unger was traded in 2014. The Seahawks were finally on the clock with the 56th selection, and after a few long minutes, the pick was in.
The Seattle Seahawks selected D'Wayne Eskridge, a wide receiver from Western Michigan. There was a collective "WHO?" heard around the Pacific Northwest as Seattle elected not to select a future All-Pro center and gambled on a 5'9" MAC receiver. Eskridge was largely invisible in his rookie season before being placed on injured reserve after suffering a concussion in October. Eskridge finished his rookie season with only 10 receptions for 64 yards and a touchdown.
Eskridge's sophomore season was even worse, as the receiver found himself on injured reserve again after suffering a broken hand. His 2022 season ended in another disappointment, as the second-round pick's production reduced to a measly 7 receptions for 58 yards. While Eskridge was lingering on the sidelines in street clothes, Creed Humphrey, who had been selected shortly after Eskridge by the Kansas City Chiefs, was winning Super Bowls as one of the best centers in the NFL.
Prior to the 2023 season, the NFL suddenly suspended Eskridge for six games after the receiver was arrested following a physical altercation with his child's mother. Following his suspension, Eskridge had a point to prove. He needed to show he belonged on this roster by providing significant production in the latter half of 2023. Eskridge proceeded to record zero catches for zero yards before being placed on injured reserve in Week 17.
Who did they miss?
As mentioned previously, Seattle passed on future All-Pro center Creed Humphrey. To make matters worse, Amon-Ra St. Brown was drafted after Eskridge, as well as 49ers' safety Talanoa Hufanga.