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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 Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
Seattle Seahawks (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /

2. Russell Okung, OT, Oklahoma State (2010)

The Seahawks made two selections in the first round of the 2010 NFL Draft. With the 14th overall pick, Seattle snagged future Hall of Fame safety Earl Thomas. While Thomas’ selection kicked off the Legion of Boom era and signaled a turning point for the franchise, Seattle picked Russell Okung eight spots earlier with the sixth overall pick.

Okung spent six seasons with the Seahawks. He made the Pro Bowl in 2012 and served alongside Max Unger as one of the few anchors on the offensive line during his time with the team. However, Okung never played a full 16-game season in Seattle, and the team chose to let him walk away in 2016.

1. Frank Clark, DE, Michigan (2015)

In 2015, Seattle did not pick in the first round. Instead, Frank Clark became the team’s top selection with the 63rd overall pick. Clark joined a team that already featured Cliff Avril and Michael Bennett, so the Michigan product saw minimal action as a rookie. He appeared in 15 games but made no starts.

In his second season, Clark only made five starts, but he became a significant contributor on the defense. Despite lining up behind his two Pro Bowl teammates, Clark finished the year with ten sacks, 47 tackles and 18 quarterback hits.

Clark started 12 games the following season when Avril suffered a season-ending injury that also led to him eventually retiring. Again, Clark produced borderline Pro Bowl numbers with nine sacks, 32 tackles, and 21 quarterback hits. In the 2018 offseason, Seattle traded Bennett, leaving Clark as the team’s premier pass rusher.

In his fourth and final season with the Seahawks, Clark led the team with three forced fumbles, 13 sacks and 27 quarterback hits. When Clark and the team couldn’t reach a long-term deal, the Seahawks traded him to Kansas City, where he won the Super Bowl a few months ago.

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In Clark’s short, four-year stint with the Seahawks, he amassed eight forced fumbles, 35 sacks, 136 tackles and 72 quarterback hits. Seattle tried to replace Clark with Jadeveon Clowney this past season, but the team experienced a huge dip in sack production. In the long run, Seattle will regret trading Clark.

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