Ten years ago, the Seahawks used the 2012 draft to select two of the greatest players in franchise history less than two hours apart, as well as several other players who over the next decade contributed to seven playoff berths, four NFC West titles, two Super Bowl trips and one Lombardi Trophy.
A decade later, Seahawks coach Pete Carroll and general manager John Schneider feel a similar vibe heading into the 2022 draft. With the ninth overall pick, two second-round picks and four picks in the top 72, the Seahawks are well situated to add an infusion of talent that they hope will be a part of the next run of successful seasons.
“It’s exciting times,” Schneider said last week. “We currently have eight picks, we have four in the top 72. So there’s a real excitement about that and an enthusiasm. I was getting a workout in yesterday morning watching TV, they were talking about the NFC West and all the problems that everybody has and everything and, I don’t know, it just brought me back to this energy of like the 2012 draft when we over-drafted a pass rusher (Irvin), and we drafted a linebacker that didn’t have any instincts (Bobby Wagner), and we drafted a quarterback that didn’t fit the height mold (Russell Wilson) and we over-drafted a nickelback (Jeremy Lane) and we over-drafted a third-down back (Robert Turbin) and we converted a defensive lineman to an offensive lineman (J.R. Sweezy), who is still playing for those who are keeping track, or he was last year. And then afterwards everybody giving us Fs. But the message is that in this building, we were super excited. We knew where we were headed. Pete and his staff had a great plan. It was loaded with competition, and we’re excited to see that competition.”
When the 2022 NFL Draft kicks off on Thursday night, we’ll have you covered here at Seahawks.com as well as on our social media channels, but while you wait, here’s everything you need to get ready: