The Seattle Seahawks used a social media post Thursday to spotlight the franchise’s first-round draft legacy, and it served as a quick reminder of how much of the team’s history was built on Day 1 picks.
The names on the graphic span multiple eras, from Hall of Famers like Walter Jones, Cortez Kennedy, Kenny Easley and Steve Hutchinson to franchise stars such as Shaun Alexander, Curt Warner and Marcus Trufant. It also included current Seahawks like Charles Cross, Devon Witherspoon, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Byron Murphy II and Grey Zabel, giving the post both a historical and forward-looking angle.
That is what makes the team’s post more than just a nostalgia play. Some of those first-rounders became all-time greats. Others became foundational starters, record holders or key pieces on championship-caliber teams. And Seattle’s newest first-round picks are now being measured against that standard.
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Seahawks’ Hall of Fame Picks Still Define the Standard
Any conversation about Seattle’s best first-round picks starts with Walter Jones and Cortez Kennedy.
Jones spent his entire career with the Seahawks and became one of the best offensive tackles of his generation. Kennedy, the No. 3 overall pick in 1990, anchored Seattle’s defense for more than a decade and remains one of the most respected defensive players in franchise history.
Kenny Easley belongs in that same group. Though his career was shorter than some other Seahawks greats, he still built a Hall of Fame résumé in Seattle and remains one of the best defensive backs the organization has ever had.
Steve Hutchinson also turned his first-round selection into a Hall of Fame career. He helped anchor Seattle’s offensive line during one of the most successful stretches in team history and later finished a résumé that earned him a place in Canton.
Shaun Alexander, Curt Warner Helped Shape Seahawks History
Shaun Alexander remains one of the biggest first-round success stories the franchise has ever had. He became league MVP, helped lead Seattle to its first Super Bowl appearance and still stands as one of the most productive running backs in team history.
Curt Warner made an immediate impact, becoming Seattle’s first 1,000-yard rusher as a rookie and setting the tone for what a first-round pick could mean to the offense.
Jacob Green also deserves mention among the Seahawks’ foundational Day 1 picks. He spent most of his career in Seattle and became one of the defining defensive players of the team’s early years.
John L. Williams was another important first-rounder, giving Seattle a versatile offensive weapon before finishing his career elsewhere.
Recent First-Round Picks Are Still Writing Their Story
Marcus Trufant became one of Seattle’s most reliable defensive backs and remained a respected part of the franchise long after his playing career ended.
Earl Thomas was one of the clearest first-round hits of the Pete Carroll era, developing into a centerpiece of the Legion of Boom and one of the most important players on Seattle’s Super Bowl-winning defense.
Bruce Irvin never reached Hall of Fame status, but he was still a meaningful first-round contributor who played a role on some of the franchise’s best teams.
The newer names on the Seahawks’ graphic are still building their cases. Charles Cross, Devon Witherspoon and Jaxon Smith-Njigba have already become major pieces of the current core, while Byron Murphy II and Grey Zabel are earlier in that process.
That is the bigger takeaway from Seattle’s post. The Seahawks were not just celebrating their first-round past. They were also reminding fans how high the bar is for the franchise’s newest Day 1 talent.
Seattle Seahawks Announce First Round NFL Draft News