Emerald City Swagger
Fansided

The Ten Worst Draft Picks in Seattle Seahawks History

By Ben Renner

Jan 9, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Brian Bosworth speaks at a press conference at Renaissance Dallas Hotel. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 9, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Brian Bosworth speaks at a press conference at Renaissance Dallas Hotel. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
8 of 12
Next
Seattle Seahawks
Jan 9, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Brian Bosworth speaks at a press conference at Renaissance Dallas Hotel. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Brian Bosworth

Position: Linebacker

Draft year: 1987

Pick: Supplemental 1st pick (draft capital: 850)

Okay, before we start talking about the hilariously mediocre Boz, a word about his draft value. Bosworth sent several letters of un-interest to several NFL teams, including the Seahawks, stating that he would refuse to sign with them if they drafted them. The consensus top-five pick after starring for the University of Oklahoma (although he was kicked off the team for wearing a t-shirt with one of his famous slogans, “National Communists Against Athletes,” on it) apparently didn’t know that the worst teams pick first in the NFL Draft.

The Boz didn’t want to play for bad teams so much that he took himself out of the NFL Draft that year. The Seattle Seahawks won the right to draft him first overall in the supplemental draft, and despite his declaration that he wouldn’t play for Seattle, he signed a 10-year $11 million contract, which was the largest rookie contract in NFL history at the time (oh, the ‘80s). The Seahawks had to forfeit their first round pick from the next season, which was the 20th pick—an 850 draft value.

Bosworth was one of the “100 Greatest College Players of All Time” according to College Football News. His career at Oklahoma was marred by his bad boy attitude and failed steroid tests, but when he was on the field, he was a force of nature. In spite of all the partying and wild haircuts, the Boz still managed to graduate early and become eligible for the 1987 supplemental draft.

"His career at Oklahoma was marred by his bad boy attitude and failed steroid tests"

Bosworth flamed out in the NFL. Beset with injuries, he was unable to back up his constant trash talking of NFL greats like John Elway. He famously claimed that he would “contain” Bo Jackson ahead of the LA Raiders game against Seattle his rookie season—and got trucked by Jackson on the way to a touchdown. The Raiders clobbered the Seahawks 37-14 and Jackson ran for 221 rushing yards and his touchdown over the Boz. And here I thought arriving to practice in a helicopter could only help your on-field performance.

Next: Number 3: Another Highly-Touted Linebacker

Home/Seattle Seahawks