There are multiple ways to build a Super Bowl team. Back in 2021, the Los Angeles Rams caught some backlash for trading away most of their top picks to land superstars, but it all worked out in the end. Other teams, like the 2022 Kansas City Chiefs, rallied around four rookies to win the Vince Lombardi trophy the following year.
There's no blueprint to roster-building, at least not when it comes to the NFL Draft. That's why a good GM has to identify talent and value in the late rounds and even after every other team has made its picks. Fortunately for the Seattle Seahawks, they happen to have a great GM at that.
John Schneider is the first GM in NFL history to make the Super Bowl multiple times with the same franchise but with two entirely different rosters and coaching staffs. This time, he's done so by having more undrafted free agents (29) than first and second-round picks on the team (14).
The Seattle Seahawks' Super Bowl roster is a testament to John Schneider's great scouting
As things stand now, the Seahawks have seven first-round picks on the roster (Grey Zabel, Charles Cross, Sam Darnold, Byron Murphy II, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Leonard Williams, and Devon Witherspoon). They also have seven second-round picks (Elijah Arroyo, DeMarcus Lawrence, Drew Lock, Boye Mafe, Uchenna Nwosu, Nick Emmanwori, and Kenneth Walker III).
Then, Jake Bobo, Jared Ivey, George Holani, Josh Jobe, Josh Jones, Nick Kallerup, Amari Kight, Julian Love, Jason Myers, Patrick O'Connell, Ty Okada, Connor O'Toole, Brandon Pili, Jarran Reed, Rashid Shaheed, Eric Saubert, Brady Russell, Chris Stoll, Jalen Sundell, and Drake Thomas all made it as undrafted free agents.
Schneider drew some criticism in the post Legion of Boom era, and rightly so. But as much heat as he caught at the time, he also deserves all the credit in the world for being able to build a contender back from the ground.
He's made some bold moves, like trading Russell Wilson or signing Sam Darnold, but time has proved him right. And, with the Seahawks projected to have the sixth-most cap space, according to Over The Cap, this team is in a position to stay competitive for years to come.
General Managers usually get most -- or all -- of the blame and none of the credit, but John Schneider has certainly earned the hat tip of all hat tips.