When it comes to the hype surrounding the NFL Draft, part of the fun is reminiscing about notable former draft picks. ESPN recently published an article listing every team’s best and worst draft picks over the last decade.
NFL reporter Brady Henderson – who covers the Seahawks – selected quarterback Russell Wilson as Seattle’s smartest draft decision and singled out linebacker Aaron Curry as the worst.
Once the No. 4 overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft, the Wake Forest linebacker was considered to be one of the best prospects available. He was even considered the safest pick in the draft. His ESPN scouting profile was nothing short of a love letter to his talent:
There’s not much he can’t do. Curry is an instinctive run defender with the quickness to disrupt plays in the backfield and sideline-to-sideline range. He can also match up in coverage and rush the passer. That’s not all, either. Curry has the work ethic, dedication and tenacity teams covet in their first-round picks. He’s the complete package.
Unfortunately, Curry never lived up to the hype. Curry only played two full seasons in Seattle before he lost his starting job to then-rookie K.J. Wright in 2011 and was traded to Oakland shortly thereafter. Wright went on to become a critical cog in the vaunted Seahawks defense and remains a starter today, while Curry was out of the League after the 2012 season.
During his starting tenure with the Seahawks, Curry logged only 134 total tackles, 5.5 sacks, and seven pass deflections. Hardly the numbers Seattle was expecting from the No. 4 overall pick.
Despite how massive of a bust Curry turned out to be, Henderson concedes: “In fairness to then-team president Tim Ruskell, Curry was considered a can’t-miss prospect” so the Seahawks drafting him in 2009 wasn’t an outrageous selection at the time.
Henderson gives an honorable mention to Seattle’s first pick last year, defensive tackle Malik McDowell. McDowell missed his entire rookie season – and potentially more – due to injuries he suffered in an ATV accident.
