The Seattle Seahawks are not known for winning a multitude of Super Bowl titles. However, Seattle has transformed into one of the more successful NFL franchises over the course of the last two decades as the Seahawks slowly turned into a perennial playoff team since the last century.
While the current NFC West franchise has no doubt drafted well through the years in addition to luring a slew of talented free agents to Seattle, the Seahawks have also secured some of the best all-around players that the organization has ever seen by way of acquiring them via trade.
Because the majority of Seattle's wheeling and dealing have come through the swapping of future NFL Draft picks, the majority of the players on the following list are not typically thought of when high-profile trades are discussed. Nonetheless, it is hard to leave any of the five players from the below list on the outside looking in at such a heralded group of uber talented players.
5. Jamal Adams (2020)
Although former New York Jets safety Jamal Adams has yet to play a single down as a member of the Seahawks, his recent acquisition has the potential to turn things around in a hurry for the NFC West franchise.
With the “Legion of Boom” no longer roaming the defensive secondary in Seattle, the level of play from Adams through first three NFL seasons has shown that there is a very real chance that he can help the Seahawks defense return to form.
Adams was acquired by the Seahawks by way of the Jets in exchange for fellow defensive back Bradley McDougald with a slew of future NFL Draft picks changing directions as well. Even with a high price tag, adding Adams to the mix was a potentially massive move for Seattle both now and for the future.
4. Marshawn Lynch (2010)
It is hard to argue against the fact that “Beast Mode” wasn't truly activated until he made way from the Buffalo Bills to the Seahawks back in October 2010. Traded to the Seahawks in exchange for two future NFL Draft picks—a fourth-round pick in the 2011 NFL Draft and a conditional pick in the 2012 draft that ultimately became a fifth-rounder—Lynch would go on to cement his legacy in Seattle en route to quickly becoming one of the most popular and must-see running backs that the league has ever witnessed.
Eventually returning to Seattle after a stint with his hometown Oakland Raiders years later, Lynch—the team's fourth all-time leading rusher—produced memory after memory for the Seahawks while notably helping the franchise captures its first and only Super Bowl title in 2014. Of course, it could have been two titles if not for … well, you know.
3. Walter Jones (1997)
Longtime Seattle Seahawks offensive tackle Walter Jones went on to become a four-time All-Pro selection, nine-time Pro Bowl selection and a Hall of Famer while most notably spending his entire NFL playing career in the Pacific Northwest. However, before Jones made his way to Seattle, the Seahawks had to trade up to acquire his services back in 1997.
The Seahawks were forced to package their own first-round pick, No. 12 overall, along with a third-round selection that Seattle previously acquired from the Atlanta Falcons in order to secure the No. 6 overall pick that once belonged to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. With Jones coming off the board to Seattle at No. 6 overall after the team was done maneuvering throughout the first round of the 1997 NFL Draft, the rest is history as the Hall of Fame offensive lineman is most certainly one of the best overall players that this franchise has ever employed.
2. Steve Largent (1976)
Despite an All-American career at Tulsa during his collegiate playing days, legendary wide receiver Steve Largent did not come off the board until all the way in the fourth round of the 1976 NFL Draft with the Houston Oilers ultimately selecting him at No. 117 overall. However, after just four preseason games, Largent was in line to be cut by the Oilers before instead being traded to an expansion team out west.
All the Seahawks had to give up in exchange for Largent's services? A 1977 eighth-round pick. With the Seahawks finding themselves on the right side of one of the biggest's steals in NFL history, Largent would eventually become a Hall of Famer thanks to his seven Pro Bowl appearances, one All-Pro nod and the 1988 Walter Payton Man of the Year Award.
With just over 13,000 receiving yards as a member of the Seahawks after spending the majority of his NFL playing career with the franchise, Largent remains the team's all-time leading receiver—by a pretty large margin as well. At this rate, this record may never be broken as Largent is still regarded as one of the NFL's best pass-catchers ever.
1. Shaun Alexander (2000)
As it stands today, even with players like quarterback Russell Wilson, Lynch, Largent and others suiting up for Seattle over the years, former NFL running back Shaun Alexander remains the only player in franchise history to be named NFL MVP.
After leading the league in rushing yards in addition to scoring a then single-season NFL record 28 touchdowns during the team's run to a NFC Championship and an appearance in the Super Bowl back in 2005, Alexander would eventually become the Seahawks' all-time leading rusher with a total of 9,429 rushing yards under his belt in Seattle.
Although it is often forgotten that Alexander originally made his way to Seattle by way of a trade back in 2000, the Cowboys notably gave up two first-round picks to the Seahawks in exchange for veteran wide receiver Joey Galloway, one of which ultimately secured the former Alabama Crimson Tide standout.
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