The 2011 Seahawks draft class is highlighted by selecting cornerback Richard Sherman in the fifth-round, but it also featured another Day 3 draft pick that would go on to have a storied career in Seattle. Drafted with the 99th overall pick, K.J. Wright played a pivotal role on one of the most iconic defenses in NFL history during his time in Seattle. In 10 seasons, the Mississippi State graduate totaled 941 tackles, 66 tackles for loss, and 13.5 sacks to go along with one Pro-Bowl appearance and Super Bowl victory.
His importance to the defense could be seen in both the run and pass game as he was a stout run defender and a reliable coverage linebacker that was capable of shutting down his area of the field. “K.J. was a guy that you could really count on to shut off one side of the field in the short passing game,” said Seattle Times reporter Bob Condotta. “Unfortunately, a little bit for K.J., the way they played, they didn’t ask those guys to blitz a lot so he didn’t necessarily put up huge numbers in the way that would get him attention nationally. He was another guy, I think internally, his importance to his team, I don’t think anybody ever questioned at all.”
Wright emerged as a starter during his rookie season after the team traded former first-round pick Aaron Curry in October of 2011. He would go on to start 12 games that season, making 65 tackles, 10 tackles for loss and two sacks. The Seahawks defense became one of the top defenses in the league the following season, finishing fourth in the NFL in yards allowed per game and Wright played a major role in making that happen. He started all 15 games he played in that season finishing with 98 tackles, eight tackles for a loss, one sack and recorded his first career interception.
The 2013 Seahawks defense is widely regarded as one of most dominant defenses in the history of the NFL as they led the league in multiple statistical categories including points per game, yards per game and takeaways, and held the number one offense in NFL history to just eight points in Super Bowl XLVIII. Wright played a crucial role on that defense as he started 13 games that season, recording 80 tackles.
Following the 2013 season, Wright would go on to put together four consecutive seasons of at least 100 total tackles and was named a Pro Bowler in 2016 after having a career-high 126 tackles.
His impact went beyond the game of football as he was the team’s nominee for the 2018 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year for his work in the community. He also won the organization’s prestigious Steve Largent Award in 2020 which is awarded to the Seahawks player that best exemplifies the spirit, dedication and integrity of the Seahawks.
After one season with the Raiders in 2021, Wright signed a one-day contract to retire as a Seahawk.
