The Ten Best Seattle Seahawks First Round Draft Picks of All Time

Jan 10, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Seattle Seahawks players including Earl Thomas (29) and Richard Sherman (25) and Kelcie McCray (33) celebrate after Minnesota Vikings kicker Blair Walsh (not pictured) missed a field goal in the fourth quarter in a NFC Wild Card playoff football game at TCF Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 10, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Seattle Seahawks players including Earl Thomas (29) and Richard Sherman (25) and Kelcie McCray (33) celebrate after Minnesota Vikings kicker Blair Walsh (not pictured) missed a field goal in the fourth quarter in a NFC Wild Card playoff football game at TCF Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports /
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Seattle Seahawks
Shawn Springs was a great cover corner before it was cool. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /

9. Shawn Springs

Shawn Springs’ best season for the Seattle Seahawks and in his career came in 1998, when he intercepted seven passes, forced a fumble, recovered two fumbles, and scored three touchdowns, earning him a Pro Bowl selection. He helped the Seahawks under Dennis Erickson just miss out on the playoffs due to the infamous Vinny Testaverde phantom touchdown. Springs was an effective cornerback throughout his 13-year career with Seattle, Washington, and New England, intercepting 33 passes in all.

In 2004, Springs was an All-Pro cornerback for Washington on the strength of his five interceptions, 52 tackles, and six sacks. The Seahawks selected him third overall (three picks before they selected Hall of Fame left tackle Walter Jones) out of Ohio State University.

Shawn Springs was a special talent for the Seattle Seahawks defense. Interestingly enough, his three career touchdowns all came in 1998 season for Seattle. He started 88 games for the Seahawks from 1997 to 2003. He had a productive career for Washington as well, helping it make the playoffs in 2007 with four interceptions in the final four games of the season. Like many good players who play over ten seasons, he finished his career with the New England Patriots.

Springs lent credibility to the Seahawks during the ups and downs of the Erickson era and was a consistent defensive player for Washington and Seattle throughout his long career.

He was a rangy cover corner before it truly came into vogue, and was a part of a few truly stout defenses in Washington DC for a time.

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