Seattle Seahawks: 2010 NFL Draft – The Building Block of Dominance
Russell Okung, Seattle Seahawks. (Photo by WEBN-TV, via Flickr)
Russell Okung, offensive tackle, first round (6)
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, safety, first round (14)
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)
“Expert” Draft Grades at the Time
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.