Frank Middleton

Seattle moved up from #12 to #6 in the 1997 draft, sending Tampa Bay a 3rd-round pick to land OT Walter Jones. Jones played 13 seasons in Seattle, earned nine Pro Bowl selections, made the NFL 2000s All-Decade Team, and entered the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2014. Tampa Bay used #12 on RB Warrick Dunn. Walter Jones became one of the most quietly dominant offensive linemen in NFL history, protecting Seattle quarterbacks for more than a decade with rare athleticism and consistency. Tampa Bay landed Warrick Dunn, a very good player, but the Seahawks secured a Hall of Fame left tackle. Winner: Seattle Seahawks, emphatically.

Seattle packaged the #11 pick and additional selections to Atlanta to move up to #3 overall for CB Shawn Springs. This was the decisive second step after Seattle flipped Rick Mirer to Chicago. Springs became a Pro Bowl-caliber corner and a seven-year starter, giving the Seahawks the high-end defensive back they were chasing. The price was steep, but Seattle turned a fading quarterback asset into a premium corner through a smart two-trade chain.