Every NFL team’s greatest draft class

PITTSBURGH, PA. - DECEMBER 30, 1978: (L to R) Wide receivers John Stallworth #82 and Lynn Swann #88 of the Pittsburgh Steelers celebrate Pittsburgh's victory after the AFC Divisional Playoff game on December 30, 1978 against the Denver Broncos at Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by: Bill Amatucci Collection/Diamond Images/Getty Images) /

15 of 16

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – OCTOBER 31: Geno Smith #7 of the Seattle Seahawks reacts alongside Bobby Wagner #54 against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the second quarter at Lumen Field on October 31, 2021 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /

Seattle Seahawks: 2012

Notable Selections

1: DE Bruce Irvin

2: LB Bobby Wagner

3: QB Russell Wilson

4: RB Robert Turbin

6: CB Jeremy Lane

7: G J.R. Sweezy

Best Pick: QB Russell Wilson

How Did This Class Change The Franchise?

The Seattle Seahawks were a powerhouse for most of the decade of the 2010s and won a Super Bowl in 2013. It was a team early on led by its defense and eventually carried by quarterback Russell Wilson. The nine-time Pro Bowler was dealt to the Denver Broncos this offseason but is the franchise’s all-time leader in passing yards and TD tosses.

Linebacker Bobby Wagner is now a member of the Los Angeles Rams. But the eight-time Pro Bowler and six-time All-Pro totaled at least 100 tackles in each of his 10 seasons in the Pacific Northwest. And tough Robert Turbin was a key part of Seattle’s ground attack his first three years.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 1995

Notable Selections

1: DT Warren Sapp

1b: LB Derrick Brooks

2: DB Melvin Johnson

4: CB Jerry Wilson

Best Pick: OLB Derrick Brooks

How Did This Class Change The Franchise?

There was stretch in the mid-1990s in which the Buccaneers selected two players in the first round for three consecutive years. It began in 1995 on the team when the team opted for a pair of star performers who played their college football in the Sunshine State.

And both defensive tackle Warren Sapp (Miami, Fla.) and linebacker Derek Brooks (Florida State) wound up in the Pro Football Hall of Fame and were big parts of the team’s Super Bowl XXXVII victory over the then-Oakland Raiders. All told, Sapp and Brooks combined for 18 Pro Bowl invitations (11 by Brooks) and earned All-Pro honors nine times (5 by Brooks).

Home/NFL Draft