If you're asking what year was Russell Wilson drafted, you're looking for 2012. But just saying the year is like saying the Titanic was just a boat. It misses the whole drama.
That 2012 NFL Draft was a circus. Everyone was obsessed with the "generational" talents at the top—Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III. Meanwhile, a 5'11" kid from Wisconsin was sitting by a landline phone at his uncle’s house in DC, waiting for a call most experts said wouldn't come until much later.
The 2012 NFL Draft: When the Seahawks Changed Everything
On April 27, 2012, the Seattle Seahawks used the 75th overall pick in the third round to take Russell Wilson. Honestly, at the time, people thought Pete Carroll and John Schneider had lost their minds. The draft grades were brutal. Sports Illustrated gave the Seahawks a "C," and some pundits even handed out "F" grades.
Why the hate? Well, Seattle had just paid Matt Flynn a massive $26 million contract to be their starter. Taking a "short" quarterback in the third round felt like a wasted pick. But Schneider had a gut feeling. He actually wanted to take Wilson even earlier, in the second round, but they gambled and took Bobby Wagner first. It’s one of the greatest "heist" sequences in NFL history.
The Five Quarterbacks Taken Before Russ
It’s wild to look back at who teams preferred over Wilson. If you want to talk about draft blunders, this list is a gold mine. Here is the order of the signal-callers who went off the board before the Seahawks finally pulled the trigger:
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- Andrew Luck (No. 1 overall, Colts)
- Robert Griffin III (No. 2 overall, Washington)
- Ryan Tannehill (No. 8 overall, Dolphins)
- Brandon Weeden (No. 22 overall, Browns)
- Brock Osweiler (No. 57 overall, Broncos)
Then came Wilson at 75. Just think about that. Brandon Weeden was a 28-year-old rookie and he went 53 picks higher. The NFL is strange.
Why Did He Slide So Far?
The "Short" Problem. That was basically the only reason. Every scout's report mentioned his height—specifically that he measured in at 5'10 5/8". Critics like Jon Gruden and Chris Weinke said if he were 6'5", he’d be the undisputed number one pick.
But Wilson had the "it" factor. He had just come off a monster season at Wisconsin after transferring from NC State. He broke the NCAA record for passing efficiency (191.8) and led the Badgers to the Rose Bowl. He was accurate, he was fast (clocking a 4.55 in the 40-yard dash), and he had massive hands—10 1/4 inches—which helped him control the ball despite his height.
The Draft Day Phone Call
Wilson remembers sitting on the couch when his cell phone buzzed with a 206 area code. It was Seattle. He’s mentioned in interviews how he’ll never forget that moment. While most of the world was talking about Luck and RGIII, Wilson was just looking for a foot in the door. He didn't just get a foot in; he kicked the door off the hinges.
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The Immediate Impact
Most third-rounders are expected to sit and learn. Wilson had other plans. He walked into training camp, beat out Matt Flynn and Tarvaris Jackson, and was named the Week 1 starter.
In that first year, he:
- Tied Peyton Manning’s rookie record for passing touchdowns (26).
- Led Seattle to an 11-5 record.
- Won a playoff game against Washington.
- Earned a Pro Bowl nod.
It wasn't just a "good" rookie year. It was the start of a decade of dominance. Within two years of being drafted, he was holding the Lombardi Trophy after crushing the Broncos in Super Bowl XLVIII.
The Teams That Almost Drafted Him
The Philadelphia Eagles were actually planning to take Wilson at pick 88. Andy Reid loved him. When Seattle took him at 75, the Eagles' draft room was reportedly devastated. They ended up taking Nick Foles later, which worked out for them eventually, but it shows how close Wilson came to a completely different career path.
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The Kansas City Chiefs and even the New York Jets were also sniffing around. John Dorsey, who was with the Packers then, said Wilson’s 2012 interview was the best he’d seen in 25 years. Everyone knew he was smart; they were just scared he couldn't see over the offensive line.
Why 2012 Still Matters Today
When people ask what year was Russell Wilson drafted, they usually want to settle a debate about his "all-time" status. Being a third-round pick who became a 10-time Pro Bowler puts him in a very elite club. He proved that the prototype for an NFL quarterback was broken. Without Wilson’s success in 2012, we might not have seen guys like Kyler Murray or Bryce Young going first overall.
He changed the geometry of the game. His ability to extend plays—what people call "scrambling to throw"—became the new gold standard.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts
If you're looking at draft history or trying to evaluate current prospects, here are the takeaways from the Russell Wilson story:
- Measureables aren't everything. Height is a preference, but hand size and processing speed are the real "must-haves."
- College production at multiple schools is a green flag. Wilson's success at both NC State and Wisconsin showed he could adapt to any system quickly.
- The "Third Round" is the sweet spot for value. Some of the league's best QBs (like Joe Montana) weren't first-rounders.
The 2012 draft will forever be remembered for the "Luck vs. RGIII" debate, but history shows the real winner was the team that waited until the third round to find their franchise icon.
To verify these stats or dive deeper into his year-by-year performance, you can check his official player profile on Pro-Football-Reference or the NFL's archived 2012 draft trackers. They confirm the pick, the round, and the 74 players who were somehow taken before him.