Let’s remember when the Seahawks drafted Bobby Wagner and Russell Wilson, on this day in 2012 (April 27)
It’s remarkable to me for an NFL team to draft the cornerstones of their offense and defense in successive rounds, on the same day, of the same draft, but that’s what happened with the Seahawks in 2012: getting their All Pro linebacker Bobby Wagner in the second round and current highest paid NFL player Russell Wilson in the third. Bruce Irvin turned out to be a very good linebacker
The reviews at the time were decidedly negative, with Bleacher Report grading the team an “F” and saying they had the worst draft of all 32 teams. They said:
After one of the worst picks in the first round I can ever remember, the Seattle Seahawks didn’t draft any positions of need or draft for the future.
Pete Carroll is proving why he didn’t make it in the NFL the first time. Not only was Bruce Irvin a reach at №15, the Seahawks proved they were oblivious to their madness by celebrating their selection.
As if the day wasn’t bad enough, Seattle selecting Russell Wilson, a QB that doesn’t fit their offense at all, was by far the worst move of the draft. With the two worst moves of the draft, Seattle is the only team that received an F on draft day.
Lol.
Sports Illustrated said:
…the Seahawks went bonkers and picked Bruce Irvin at 15. Could he develop into a solid pass-rusher? Sure, but this was a spit take-inducing selection. LB Bobby Wagner (47) and RB Robert Turbin (106), both from Utah State, will help, and QB Russell Wilson (74) has a bright future, even if Seattle didn’t really need him. Everything else was … very … blah. Grade: C
It didn’t take long for the jury to come back. In the first season after this draft, with Wilson immediately starting at QB, the Hawks went to the second round of the playoffs. The following year, they were Super Bowl champions.
