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Jim Nagy: Seahawks 'Stuck to Their Guns,' Reeled in Best Draft Class in 10 Years

Acknowledging that recent drafts haven't worked out as well as Seattle hoped, Nagy sees a bright future for the organization after John Schneider loaded up in the trenches and secondary with an intriguing nine-player class.

One decade ago, Seahawks general manager John Schneider assembled one of best draft classes in NFL history landing linebacker Bobby Wagner and quarterback Russell Wilson in the second and third round of the 2012 NFL Draft respectively.

But at the time, most experts panned their selections. Bleacher Report, for example, gave Schneider and Seattle a big, fat F immediately after the draft. ESPN's draft guru Mel Kiper wasn't much nicer in his initial assessment, giving them a C- and writing "the needs were met outside of wide receiver, but in terms of maximizing value, there are huge questions."

Of course, those prognosticators were quickly proven wrong with Wilson, Wagner, and first-round pick Bruce Irvin leading the Seahawks to the Divisional Round of the postseason as rookies and ushering in the most successful era in team history. Over the next 10 seasons, with Wilson and Wagner building Hall of Fame resumes in the process, they would reach the playoffs eight times, capture two NFC championships, and win the franchise's first Super Bowl.

Keeping that cautionary tale in mind, evaluating draft classes before any players actually dress for an actual NFL game can be a silly, futile exercise and more times than not, initial grades don't prove to be accurate. Nonetheless, former Seahawks scout and current Senior Bowl director Jim Nagy sees plenty of parallels between Schneider's latest nine-player draft class and the storied group he brought to the Pacific Northwest in 2012.

"I think it's the best one they've had in probably 10 years," Nagy said of Seattle's 2022 class. "You gotta go back to that Bobby and Russ draft and Bruce was in that draft... I think they really stuck to their guns. They got back to high character football guys. And I really liked it from top to bottom. I thought they did a great job and that's just not as a former staff member there. I really do. I really think they picked a lot of good players."

Seattle Seahawks offensive lineman Charles Cross (67) participates in an OTA workout at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Boye Mafe works his hand technique against a blocking sled during organized team activities.
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Bo Melton (81) returns to the locker room following an OTA workout at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.