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Seattle Seahawks: Ranking top picks last 10 NFL Draft classes

By Samuel Teets

KALAMAZOO, MI - SEPTEMBER 4: Malik McDowell #4 of the Michigan State Spartans during warmups prior to the game against the Western Michigan Broncos at Waldo Stadium on September 4, 2015 in Kalamazoo, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
KALAMAZOO, MI - SEPTEMBER 4: Malik McDowell #4 of the Michigan State Spartans during warmups prior to the game against the Western Michigan Broncos at Waldo Stadium on September 4, 2015 in Kalamazoo, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /
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Seattle Seahawks (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
Seattle Seahawks (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

6. James Carpenter, OL, Alabama (2011)

The Seahawks used the 25th overall pick in 2011 on James Carpenter, hoping to continue building their offensive line. When Carpenter entered the draft, Lance Zierlein of NFL.com gave the versatile lineman a 7.0 grade out of 10.0. By the website’s grade scale, Carpenter qualified as a Pro Bowl-caliber player. They were wrong.

As a rookie, Carpenter saw snaps at right tackle and left guard, which eventually became his primary position. However, a torn ACL ended Carpenter’s rookie season after nine games. He faced further issues in 2012, appearing in and starting only seven games. The following year, he appeared in all 16 games but only earned 10 starts.

In 2014, Carpenter started in all 13 of his appearances. The Seahawks opted to let the guard walk away after four seasons.

5. Paul Richardson, WR, Colorado (2014)

Seattle didn’t own a first-round pick in 2014. Paul Richardson became the team’s top pick with the 45th overall selection. In three seasons at Colorado, Richardson served as a backup for two years before becoming the team’s primary option. Between 2010 and 2011, Richardson tallied 1,069 receiving yards. He missed all of 2012 with a knee injury but returned as the team’s primary target in 2013.

In his final year with the team, Richardson led the way with 83 receptions for 1,343 yards and ten touchdowns. He never approached those totals at the NFL level.

As a rookie, Richardson started six games but finished the year with only 271 yards. He got injured the following season, only making one appearance. In 2016, Richardson appeared in 15 games, making no starts. He recorded 288 receiving yards.

However, Richardson elevated himself to fifth on this list with his performance in 2017. As the team’s secondary receiving option, Richardson recorded 44 receptions for 703 yards and six touchdowns in 13 starts. He left Seattle in 2018, signing with Washington, where his production dipped back to its usual disappointing levels.

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