Backdraft: Seattle Seahawks

BACKDRAFT SERIES: For 16 days leading up to the 2011 NFL Draft, we're rolling out capsule draft histories of each of the 32 NFL Teams.

 

Backdraft Series

Apr. 12 - Packers | Steelers

Apr. 13 - Bears | Jets

Apr. 14- Patriots | Falcons

Apr. 15- Ravens | Seahawks

Apr. 16- Saints | Eagles

Apr. 17- Colts | Chiefs

Apr. 18- Buccaneers | Giants

Apr. 19- Chargers | Raiders

Apr. 20- Jaguars | Dolphins

Apr. 21- Rams | Lions

Apr. 22- Vikings | Texans

Apr. 23- Redskins | Cowboys

Apr. 24- Titans | 49ers

Apr. 25- Browns | Cardinals

Apr. 26- Bengals | Bills

Apr. 27- Broncos | Panthers

2011 Draft Position:

• 25

First-Ever Draft Pick:

• Steve Niehaus, DT, Notre Dame (1st Round, 2nd overall, in 1976)

Most Recent Draft Pick:

• Jameson Konz, WR, Kent State (7th round, 245th overall, in 2010)

 

Hall of Famers Drafted:

• None

 

First Overall Pick in the NFL Draft:

• None

Steve Niehaus	Curt Warner	Cortez Kennedy

Did you know?

Seattle has worked some trades over the years many of which have landed them some of the franchise's greatest players.

In the preseason of 1976, the Houston Oilers placed their fourth round draft pick on revocable waivers. Jerry Rhome, the Seahawks' quarterbacks and receivers coach, was familiar with the player out of Tulsa from his days on the school's coaching staff. Rhome convinced head coach Jack Patera to give the kid a try. So, Seattle shipped an eighth round pick to the Oilers in exchange for the receiver. His name? Steve Largent.

Largent went on to capture numerous NFL receiving records and in 1995 became the first long-time member of the Seahawks enshrined into the Hall of Fame. For the record, the Oilers used the eighth round pick in '77 on WR Steve Davis who never made it in the NFL.

Seven years later, the Seahawks made another notable trade with the Oilers. Seattle shipped their first-, second-, and third-round picks in 1983 to Houston to move up to the No. 3 spot that year. With the third overall draft choice from Houston, who the Oilers acquired from the Los Angeles Rams, Seattle landed Penn State running back Curt Warner. Unlike the Largent swap, this trade worked out well for both teams. Houston drafted future Hall of Fame OL Bruce Matthews along with DB Keith Bostic and TE Chris Tressel. Warner starred for the Seahawks through the 1989 season and retired as the team's all-time leading rusher.

 

Quotable:

"I know the price is high … the question is to be right, not what everyone else perceives as being right," Seahawks VP Tom Flores stated as he defended a draft day trade made in 1990.

Seattle packaged four draft picks, including a pair of No. 1 choices, and sent them to New England in exchange for the No. 3 pick the Patriots owned. The Pats also threw in a second-rounder. Seattle reportedly had to outbid six other teams to land New England's first-round pick.

The deal allowed Seattle to draft Miami DT Cortez Kennedy who was by far the top-rated player on their board that year. In retrospect, Flores' move was indeed right. Kennedy became one of the most notable players in Seahawks history during an 11-season career. He was named the NFL's Defensive Player of the Year in 1992, voted to eight Pro Bowls, and named All-Pro five times. He has been a finalist for the Hall of Fame in each of the last three years.

 

Shop:

Check out Seattle Seahawks merchandise available in our store! Shop Now>>> Enter the code “BACKDRAFT” at checkout and you’ll enjoy 15% off your order.

 

Who in '11?

Post your comment with who you think the Seahawks should select in the first round on April 28. Why?