The Ten Best Seattle Seahawks First Round Draft Picks of All Time
By Ben Renner
6. Shaun Alexander
The man with the million-dollar smile (I don’t have licensed pictures of said smile, unfortunately), was the 19th overall pick in the 2000 NFL Draft out of Alabama. After a year of backing up Ricky Watters, Alexander stormed onto the scene in 2001 with 1,318 yards and 14 touchdowns. His total touchdown mark that year was behind only Marshall Faulk for the league lead. He set a franchise record for rushing yards in a single game on Sunday Night Football against the Raiders in Husky Stadium with 266 yards on 35 carries, including an 88-yard run.
But, as we all know, Alexander was only just warming up. In 2002, he set another franchise record, scoring 16 rushing touchdowns, four in the first half against the Vikings in the second game ever at Seahawks Stadium (before it was called CenturyLink). Alexander helped the Seattle Seahawks reach the playoffs for the first time since 2000 in 2003. He ran for 1,435 yards and another 16 touchdowns that year. He earned his first of his three Pro Bowl appearances that year.
Shaun Alexander missed the NFL rushing title by one yard in 2004, running for 1,435 yards and yet another 16 touchdowns. It was the magical 2005 Super Bowl season he had for the Seattle Seahawks that vaulted him forever into team lore. Alexander set the single-season touchdown record for a running back with 28. He also captured the rushing title with 1880 yards. He of course won the MVP award that year, and we don’t need to talk about his contract extension after the crushing defeat of Super Bowl XL.
Next: Number 5