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The Seattle Seahawks' draft classes from 2010-12 were some of the best in franchise history, directly leading up to the team's first-ever NFL title in Super Bowl XLVIII. Seattle hit on three stars in the first three rounds — two of whom are likely future Hall of Famers.
In Pro Football Focus' 2012 NFL Redraft, quarterback Russell Wilson (picked No. 75 overall) and linebacker Bobby Wagner (No. 47) both made massive jumps to the very top of the first round. Wilson was even valued as the best pick of the draft.
PFF jumped Wilson up 74 spots to the No. 1 overall pick, passing up Andrew Luck in the top spot. That sent Wilson to the Indianapolis Colts, while Luck dropped three spots to the Cleveland Browns at No. 4 overall. Interestingly, Kirk Cousins jumped from pick No. 102 to No. 2 overall, which is where the Washington Commanders selected Robert Griffin III. The Commanders simply swapped their quarterback selections.
Wagner vaulted up 44 picks to No. 3 overall, sending him to the Minnesota Vikings. In reality, the Vikings traded that pick to the Cleveland Browns, who selected running back Trent Richardson. Wagner was an excellent value in the second round and was arguably more impactful for the Seahawks over his 11 seasons with the team than Wilson was. Wilson takes the top spot purely because he is a quarterback.
The Seahawks took edge rusher Bruce Irvin with the No. 12 overall pick in the 2012 draft, who also became a quality player for Seattle over six seasons with the team. The difference is that Wilson and Wagner were just that much better. PFF mocked guard Brandon Brooks (selected by the Philadelphia Eagles No. 76 overall) to the Seahawks at 12th overall instead.
Wilson and Wagner being held in such high regard more than a decade after they were drafted is a testament to them as players and the Seahawks for getting incredible value from their selections. Essentially, they made two of the top three picks of the entire draft in the second and third rounds.
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Raiders rookie WR showing he could be steal of 2025 draft
Las Vegas Raiders WR Dont'e Thornton Jr. is opening eyes at training camp, including QB Geno Smith, who appears to be trusting the rookie. Maybe that is the reason why general manager John Spytek has not looked for outside help at the position. And just maybe he got a steal from the 2025 NFL Draft. That looked evident on the first day of pads in Henderson, Nevada, where Thornton badly beat fellow rookie cornerback Darien Porter for a long touchdown, as described by The Athletic's Tashan Reed. In a piece, Reed said Thornton has been the first-string "X" receiver since OTAs and "could make an immediate impact." Thornton shared what Smith told him during training camp: "He tells me every single day, 'if you've got a one-on-one matchup, I'm coming to you,'" Smith said, as shared by Reed. "It means a lot to me. Being a rookie and just getting here ... just knowing that he believes in me a lot. It gives me a lot of motivation to keep getting better." While the headlines are more on rookie RB Ashton Jeanty for his potential big season, Thornton is making sure he is not forgotten after getting selected in the fourth round (108th overall) after leading the University of Tennessee with 661 receiving yards and six touchdowns. Listed at 6-foot-5 and 205 pounds, Thornton is getting all the opportunities he can get, given the Raiders didn't bother to add a veteran WR. One could see why Thornton is raising eyebrows in training camp. That is a good thing because Smith is trusting Thornton's potential playmaking abilities. Thornton is one of the tallest Raiders WRs besides Collin Johnson, and that could be a big deal given the Raiders need a big target minus TEs Brock Bowers, Michael Mayer and Ian Thomas. Yet, ESPN's Mike Clay is projecting Thornton to have a quiet year with 317 receiving yards and a TD. With such low numbers, maybe that is how the Raiders would prefer it to be, anyway. Only the Raiders know what they have in Thornton. It is up to Thornton to keep the momentum going into preseason games and beyond.
Red Sox Aren't Getting Standout Back Anytime Soon
The Boston Red Sox got some bad news in the infield. Rookie infielder Marcelo Mayer has gotten a lot of time at second base and third base. Since Alex Bregman returned, Mayer has gotten most of his action at second base while also filling in as the Red Sox worked Bregman back slowly. Unfortunately, he's on the Injured List, though, due to a wrist sprain. MassLive.com's Christopher Smith shared the lastest update on Mayer from Red Sox manager Alex Cora on Saturday noted that he's "not gonna play soon." "No new updates on Marcelo Mayer's wrist sprain, Red Sox manager Alex Cora said," Smith shared. "'Just waiting for results and see specialists and all that stuff,' Cora added. 'He's not gonna play soon. So have to make sure where we're at and what the course of action is going to be.'" Losing Mayer is tough. Defense has been a question mark for Boston once again this season but Mayer has helped in that area. With Mayer out, Ceddanne Rafaela is expected to get a lot of action at second base. That helps to alleviate the logjam in the outfield, but also removes arguably the best defensive center fielder in the game. Boston isn't at full strength and Cora noting he's "not gonna play soon" certainly doesn't sound positive. Before going down, Mayer was slashing .228/.272/.402 with four homers, 10 RBIs, and eight doubles. Will the Red Sox add another piece ahead of the trade deadline? It absolutely makes sense at this point.
Top moments from 2025 Baseball Hall of Fame inductions
The 2025 Baseball Hall of Fame class had its day in Cooperstown on Sunday. This year's class included Ichiro Suzuki, CC Sabathia and Billy Wagner, who were elected by the eligible voters from the Baseball Writer's Association of America, and Dave Parker and Dick Allen, who were elected by the Classic Baseball Era Committee. Here are some of the top highlights from Sunday's induction speeches. Dave Parker's son reads poem written by Hall of Fame father Parker's induction into the Hall of Fame was long overdue, and he sadly did not have the opportunity to enjoy the moment of seeing his name in the Hall of Fame as he died June 28. That left his speech in the hands of his son, Dave Parker II, who read a poem written by his dad. Parker spent the majority of his career with the Pittsburgh Pirates where he was an MVP winner, two-time batting champion and World Series champion with the 1979 "We Are Family" team. Dick Allen's wife remembers his kindness Allen was the other veterans committee inductee, and his widow, Willa Allen, spent the majority of her speech remember the kindness of Allen off the field as much as his ability on the field. Allen is going into the Hall of Fame as a Phillie but won the 1972 American League MVP with the Chicago White Sox. He led the league in OPS four times and was the 1964 National League Rookie of the Year. A reminder that Billy Wagner wasn't naturally left-handed Being left-handed is a huge advantage (and money-maker) for pitchers, and Wagner was one of the most dominant left-handed relief pitchers to ever step onto a mound in the big leagues. But he wasn't always left-handed. Wagner was a natural-born right-handed person but taught himself how to throw left-handed after fracturing his right arm twice as a kid. It led to quite a career. Wagner made a name for himself with the Houston Astros but also spent years with the Philadelphia Phillies, New York Mets, Atlanta Braves and Boston Red Sox. CC Sabathia takes playful dig at Ichiro Sabathia accomplished a ton in his 19-year big league career. He won 251 games, won the 2007 American League Cy Young Award, was the 2009 ALCS MVP and a World Series champion. He still has apparently not gotten over the one individual award he did not win — the 2001 American League Rookie of the Year Award, which went to fellow 2025 inductee Ichiro. Sabathia made sure to make a playful dig at that. Sabathia was the only American League rookie outside of Ichiro — who also won the American League MVP that year — to get a first-place vote. He received one. The others all went to Ichiro. Ichiro stole the show Ichiro stole 509 bases in his Hall of Fame career, and on Sunday, he added one more steal to his list of accomplishments by absolutely stealing the show at Cooperstown. He delivered two of the best lines of the day, first by calling out the one lone writer who did not vote for him, keeping him from being just the second unanimous Hall of Fame inductee ever (after Mariano Rivera). His best line of the day, however, might have been when he referenced his brief time as a member of the Miami Marlins toward the end of his career. Ichiro played 14 of his 19 seasons with the Seattle Mariners while also spending time with the Marlins and Yankees.
LA Lakers have inside track to sign 2x All-Star in new buyout deal, it would complete their roster
Green Bay Packers Elgton Jenkins Quiets The Noise Around Contract Holdout
Elgton Jenkins, the Green Bay Packers’ versatile offensive lineman, stepped onto the field Monday for the first time this training camp, and his return has already generated plenty of buzz. After spending much of the offseason as a spectator due to what the team listed as a back injury, Jenkins spoke to the media today, addressing his holdout, his potential move to center, and his mindset as he gears up for the 2025 season. It was a candid, often emotional reflection on where he stands with the Packers and where he hopes to take their offensive line. Jenkins’ comments pulled back the curtain on both his personal struggles and professional challenges, offering a mix of hope and lingering questions for fans and analysts alike. Here’s what we learned and why it matters for Green Bay’s plans moving forward. Addressing the Holdout At Green Bay Packers Training Camp For much of the offseason, Elgton Jenkins avoided the field. He skipped voluntary workouts and was a noticeable “hold-in” during the mandatory minicamp, a move that many speculated was tied to his contract situation. When asked directly about his absence, Jenkins pointed to a family matter as his reason for sitting out of voluntary activities. “It wasn’t about the contract. I had things to take care of at home,” Jenkins told reporters. While his explanation seemed straightforward, it only partially aligned with reality. Questions remain about why Jenkins didn’t actively participate during mandated events, and his response leaves room for interpretation. “I wasn’t on the field, but I’ve been locked in. My focus has always been to help this team,” he added. It’s hard not to sense a layer of unspoken tension. At the core of Jenkins’ holdout appears to be his financial future with the Packers. His current deal, a four-year extension signed in 2022, carries non-guaranteed money through 2026. With the Packers facing cap constraints, Jenkins’ contract could be an easy target for restructuring or even release. Similar moves, like Green Bay’s parting ways with former All-Pro Jaire Alexander in June, loom large in players’ minds. Still, Jenkins emphasized that his priority now is football. “I’m here to play,” he said, brushing aside talk of extensions or release clauses. For the Green Bay Packers, having him mentally and physically committed to the team is a win, but Jenkins’ unwillingness to publicly acknowledge his contract concerns keeps the narrative open-ended. Elgton Jenkins: The Shift to Center One of the most intriguing revelations from Elgton Jenkins was his openness—albeit cautious—to playing center this season. Green Bay’s coaching staff signaled its intent to shift Jenkins to the middle of the offensive line during exit interviews last year. At the time, he embraced the idea, but his reported hesitation heading into this season sparked speculation. “I’ll do anything for the team,” Jenkins asserted post-practice. “But making a move like that, you have to take time to adjust—mentally and physically. These things don’t happen overnight, and I want to be in the best position to succeed for myself and for the team.” Elgton Jenkins isn’t inexperienced at center. Known for his positional flexibility, Jenkins has played every spot on the offensive line during his tenure with the Green Bay Packers. His ability to seamlessly shift roles makes him invaluable, but there’s no denying the complexity of becoming a centerpiece in both protection schemes and leadership on the line. It’s a role that requires sharp communication skills and the ability to anticipate defensive adjustments in real time. At Monday’s walkthrough practice, Jenkins lined up as the first-team center, a possible signal of where the Packers intend to slot him long-term. However, as live drills began, he was replaced by Sean Rhyan. This suggests the team is taking a measured approach to integrating him back into action and fully transitioning him to the middle. A Commitment to 2025 Contract rumors and position changes aside, Jenkins made one thing crystal clear in his remarks—he’s ready to commit to 2025. “I’m locked in,” Jenkins said emphatically, adding, “This team has what it takes to compete. I’m here for that.” While some fans remain concerned about what Jenkins’ offseason absence means for the team’s chemistry, his dedication to preparation appears unwavering. Staying dialed in without on-field reps might be challenging, but Jenkins insists he hasn’t missed a beat. “It’s about staying sharp mentally,” he added. “The physical stuff comes back, but you’ve got to stay prepared every single day upstairs. That’s the only way you can lead.” This sense of readiness is a pivotal development for the Packers, who desperately need stability on the offensive line. Jenkins’s ability to step into the center position could solidify the team’s protection around quarterback Jordan Love while providing a reliable veteran presence in the trenches. With the NFC North looking wide open, Green Bay’s ability to protect Love and establish the run will be critical—and Jenkins knows the stakes. Looking Toward the Future The uncertainty surrounding Jenkins’ long-term role with the Packers still lingers. With no guarantees built into his contract beyond this season, it’s fair to question whether the organization views him as a foundational player moving forward. For his part, Jenkins appears to be focusing solely on the task ahead—getting Green Bay into playoff contention. “Right now, it’s not about 2026,” Jenkins said when asked about his future with the team. “It’s about making sure we get better every game this season. If we do that, everything else will take care of itself.” This focus on the present could be exactly what the Green Bay Packers need. For a team that faced significant roster turnover in recent years, possessing veteran leaders like Jenkins—who understand the balance between business and performance—could make a major difference. The Road Ahead for the Packers With Jenkins now on the field and demonstrating a willingness to adapt, the Green Bay Packers’ offensive line could be one of their biggest assets heading into 2025. If Jenkins thrives as a center, it could reshape Green Bay’s offensive attack and provide stability in a transitional year for the franchise. Yet, 2025 isn’t without its challenges. The specter of future cap space challenges, lingering player turnover, and divisional rivals improving their rosters means the Packers need to maximize every ounce of talent they have on the field this year. Having Jenkins fully invested will go a long way toward achieving that goal.
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