Seattle moved down four spots from No. 43 and received Nos.…
Seattle moved down four spots from No. 43 and received Nos. 47, 154 and 232, then selected Bobby Wagner, Korey Toomer and Greg Scruggs. The Jets used No. 43 on Stephen Hill. Wagner became a franchise icon, perennial All-Pro and championship centerpiece, while Hill lasted only two seasons in New York. This is one of the clearest draft-day wins of the John Schneider era.
New York Jets Received
- pick 2012 2nd round pick (43rd overall, Stephen Hill)
Seattle Seahawks Received
- pick 2012 2nd round pick (47th overall, Bobby Wagner)
- pick 2012 5th round pick (154th overall, Korey Toomer)
- pick 2012 7th round pick (232nd overall, Greg Scruggs )
Trade Analysis
Why Seattle Was Comfortable Moving Down
Seattle held pick No. 43 but believed it could slide several spots and still land one of its preferred linebackers. The Jets wanted to move up for Georgia Tech receiver Stephen Hill. New York sent No. 47 plus fifth-rounder No. 154 and seventh-rounder No. 232, giving Seattle three selections for one.
What the Jets Received
Hill was an enticing projection because of his athletic traits, but the production never matched the cost. He caught 21 passes as a rookie and 24 in his second season, totaling 594 yards and four touchdowns for the Jets. New York released him before the 2014 season. For a team that spent extra capital to secure him, the return was extremely short.
How Bobby Wagner Rewrote the Deal
Seattle used No. 47 on Bobby Wagner, who became the central figure in this trade. Wagner started immediately, helped anchor the Legion of Boom-era defense, won a Super Bowl, and stacked Pro Bowl and first-team All-Pro honors across a Hall of Fame-level career. The Seahawks also used the extra picks on Korey Toomer and Greg Scruggs, each of whom spent time on NFL rosters.
Why the Margin Is So Large
Even if the two late selections had produced nothing, Wagner alone would make Seattle the runaway winner. The Jets paid to move ahead and selected a player who did not finish his rookie contract with them.
Final Verdict
Seattle Seahawks Win. The A+ reflects a franchise-defining linebacker acquired while moving down. The Jets receive an F because the premium move-up delivered only two modest seasons from Hill.