Everybody — and I do mean everybody — thought the Seattle Seahawks would be one-and-done in the NFL playoffs, destined to pick 21st in the 2011 NFL Draft. As we saw on Saturday, that didn’t happen. With a playoff upset, the 2011 NFL Draft order shifts, and the Seahawks will pick much lower than we ever expected.
To recap, the Seahawks would’ve picked eighth if they lost to the St. Louis Rams in week 17. With the win, and playoff berth, the Seahawks were guaranteed to pick no higher than 21st in the draft. Now, after they advanced to the divisional round, the order has changed, with last weekend’s four losers slotted into the 21st through 24th spots.
Here is the full order.
1. Carolina (2-14)
2. Denver (4-12)
3. Buffalo (4-12)
4. Cincinnati (4-12)
5. Arizona (5-11)
6. Cleveland (5-11)
7. San Francisco (6-10)
8. Tennessee (6-10)
9. Dallas (6-10)
10. Washington (6-10)
11. Houston (6-10)
12. Minnesota (6-10)
13. Detroit (6-10)
14. Miami (7-9)
15. St. Louis (7-9)
16. Jacksonville (8-8)
17. Oakland (8-8)
18. San Diego (9-7)
19. New York Giants (10-6)
20. Tampa Bay (10-6)
21. Kansas City (10-6)
22. Indianapolis (10-6)
23. Philadelphia (10-6)
24. New Orleans (11-5)
25. Seattle (7-9)*
26. Green Bay (10-6)*
27. New York Jets (11-5)*
28. Chicago (11-5)*
29. Baltimore (12-4)*
30. Pittsburgh (12-4)*
31. Atlanta (13-3)*
32. New England (14-2)*
If the Seahawks lose to the Bears this weekend, they will pick 25th. If they win, they’ll continue to fall towards the bottom of the first round, moving backwards until they’re eliminated from the playoffs.
At this point, do we even care that the Seahawks draft pick continue to fall? After last weekend’s incredible upset, Seattle fans are on cloud nine, still flying high from an amazing weekend.