Kam Chancellor, Seattle Seahawks. (Photo by Mike Morris, via Flickr)
Seattle Seahawks Head Coach Pete Carroll.
The Seattle Seahawks were the best team in the world, trampling the Denver Broncos 43-8 en route to the first super bowl in franchise history. They finished the 2013-14 season with a league-best 13-3 record due to their top-ranked defense. This week, we’re going to take a look back at how Pete Carroll and John Schneider built one of the most talented rosters through the 2010-2012 NFL drafts.
Today PNWS features the key contributors from the Seahawks ground-breaking 2010 draft, as well as an update on where in their careers they are now. Seattle had nine total picks, but by the time they made their super bowl run in 2013, three players were already off the team. That list includes defensive end EJ Wilson (fourth round), linebacker Dexter Davis (seventh round), and tight end Jameson Konz (seventh round)
Anthony McCoy (fifth round) is not part of the analysis. When he wasn’t on IR, the tight end caught a total of 31 passes in four-and-a-half years with the team. He didn’t play a game in either 2013 or 2014.
Here are the players who served as Carroll’s building blocks.
A huge steal in the fifth round, Kam Chancellor’s enforcer presence was immense for the Legion of Boom. Earning the starting safety job in his second year, he made the pro bowl in 2011. Chancellor went on to make another three during his time with the Seattle Seahawks. Even though he only forced nine fumbles, his hard-hitting led to numerous incomplete passes. In 2017 a career-ending neck injury forced him into retirement.
Nonetheless, he’s a beloved member of the Seattle community. Additionally, his involvement with the team continues. Chancellor is a frequent guest at the Seahawks VMAC training facilities. He enjoys catching up with old teammates and coaches, as well as giving pointers to the young DBs. His short, albeit dominant, eight-year career may not be enough to land him in the Hall of Fame.
Career Stat Line (all with the Seattle Seahawks): 109 Games, 12 Interceptions, 9 Forced Fumbles, 607 Tackles
Accolades: 4 Pro Bowls
Walter Thurmond, Seattle Seahawks. (Photo by Mike Morris, via Flickr)
Picked in the fourth round, Walter Thurmond spent most of his early time in Seattle out of action due to injury. Only appearing in 22 games from 2010-2012, he broke out in 2013 after the suspension of incumbent cornerback Brandon Browner. Thurmond then established himself as a vital contributor in the secondary. Although the Seattle Seahawks would have loved to keep him, his market value led him to move on.
He signed a one-year deal with the New York Giants, then went to Philadelphia for another year. As a starter in Philly, Thurmond showed he still had it in the tank. The veteran started 16 games with three picks. Thurmond hung up his cleats at the end of 2016. He turned down several offers to continue his career to focus on life after football.
Career Stat Line: 52 Games (34 with Seattle), 4 Interceptions (1), 160 Tackles (85)
Accolades: None
Golden Tate had a productive final college season at Notre Dame. He won the Biletnikoff Award as the nation’s best receiver and was named unanimous first-team All American. The Seattle Seahawks couldn’t pass on drafting him in the second round.
A solid starter, he showed his value both as a possession receiver and a returner. The Seahawks drew on his skills in their Super Bowl-winning season as Tate caught 64 balls for 898 yards. At the end of his rookie contract, he signed a five-year, $31M deal with the Detroit Lions.
Playing alongside “Megatron” Calvin Johnson, he has his best year with a pro bowl appearance after 99 receptions for 1331 yards. In 2018 he was traded to Philadelphia for a third-round pick, but it failed to pay off for the Eagles. GT3 once again jumped ship. This time it was for a four-year deal, $37.5M with division rival New york. For his career, Tate grades out as a well-above-average receiver.
Career Stat Line: 148 Games (58), 660 Receptions (165), 7,890 Yards (2195), 44 Touchdowns (15)
Accolades: 1 Pro Bowl (0)
Russell Okung, Seattle Seahawks. (Photo by WEBN-TV, via Flickr)
After Pete Carroll became the Seattle Seahawks head coach, he made Russell Okung his first draft pick, selecting the tackle sixth overall. Although the big OT never really lived up to his draft position, Okung was a reliable staple of the offensive line and started 72 games over his six years on the team. He joined the Denver Broncos in 2016 as a free agent on a one-year prove-it deal before getting a 4-year $53M payday from the Los Angeles Chargers.
This recent offseason, he was traded to the Carolina Panthers for guard Trai Turner. Okung is currently considering retirement amidst coronavirus concerns after missing 10 games last season with pulmonary embolism due to blood clots.
Career Stat-line: 124 Games (72), 70 Penalties (46)
Accolades: 2 Pro Bowls (0)
Earl Thomas was Carroll’s second, first-round draft pick (14th overall) in 2010. ET3 instantly made an impact. He was a pro bowl selection seven times to go along with three First-Team All-Pro honors.
Most importantly, along with Chancellor, he was a cornerstone of the legendary Legion of Boom. The quintessential center fielder on the football field, Thomas racked up 28 interceptions for the team. He started more than 10 games every season until a leg fracture ended his 2018 campaign.
Thomas joined the Baltimore Ravens the following year as a free agent for four-years, $55M. For all the great things ET3 did in a Seattle uniform, he will be remembered for the last impression he left for the fans. Thomas flipped the bird to his own sideline while being carted off in his final Seahawks game. It remains to be seen if 12s will forgive him when he inevitably ends up in Canton.
Career Stat Line: 140 Games (125), 30 Interceptions (28), 12 Forced Fumbles (11), 713 Tackles (664)
Accolades: 7 Pro Bowls (6), 3 First Team All-Pro (3)
At the time, many draft pundits applauded many of coach Carroll’s picks, praising the way he went out and got impact players.
Fox Sports: A+ https://www.foxnews.com/sports/2010-nfl-draft-grades
ESPN – Mel Kiper: A https://www.espn.com/nfl/draft10/insider/news/story?page=KiperDraftGrades
CBS Sports: B+ https://www.cbsnews.com/news/grading-the-2010-nfl-draft-1st-round/
Pete Carroll’s first draft will go down in Seattle Seahawks history as yielding possibly the franchise’s best class.