There were so many unknowns at the time of the Russell Wilson trade. We knew the Denver Broncos were getting a former Super Bowl-winning quarterback by trading a collection of players and draft picks to the Seattle Seahawks, but until those picks could be made, we had no idea just what type of haul to expect.
While in many ways we won’t know the full scope of the trade until several seasons from now, we finally can attach a name to the draft pick.
Here’s what the Seattle Seahawks got for trading Russell Wilson:
- Geno Smith
- Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois (Fifth overall pick in 2023)
- Derick Hall, EDGE, Auburn (37th overall pick in 2023)
- Charles Cross (Ninth overall pick in 2022)
- Boye Mafe (40th overall pick in 2022)
- Tyreke Smith, WR (158th overall pick in 2022)
- Dareke Young, WR (233rd overall pick in 2022)
- Noah Fant
- Drew Lock
- Shelby Harris (No longer with team)
Related: 2023 NFL Draft order: Picks by team, Rounds 1-7 and live tracker
Meanwhile, the Broncos received a then 33-year-old Wilson, who led a 4-11 record in his first season in Denver with the NFL’s worst-scoring offense. Denver also received the 116th pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, where they chose defensive lineman Eyioma Uwazurike, who played in eight games during his rookie season.
As mentioned, it will be several seasons before we can fully evaluate this trade from both sides. In Denver, the heat was on from the moment they traded for a franchise QB. Only the first season went horribly.
Unless we see coach Sean Payton spark a quick turnaround, this trade could soon become one of the worst in football history. For the Broncos, it’s playoffs or bust, yet at the time of the trade, everyone had Super Bowl expectations. We’ll see if they can come close to reaching their goals.
Until then, Broncos fans will have to witness the Seahawks continuing to assemble a deep roster filled with many players selected by Denver’s original draft choices.
If Witherspoon proves to be a shutdown cornerback, with Boye Mafe or Derick Hall developing as destructive pass-rushers and Charles Cross becoming a franchise left tackle, this trade could quickly look very, very lopsided, especially if the Broncos stumble again.