2012 NFL Draft: 5 Players Seattle Seahawks Should Target

Coach Pete Carroll will be conducting his third draft in Seattle
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After two straight 7-9 seasons, many would say the Seattle Seahawks aren't getting any better.

But with an average age of just over 26, they are one of the youngest teams in the league and possess a defense that ranked in the top 15 in passing yards and rushing yards allowed. They finished in the top 10 in total yards and points allowed.

The youthful defensive unit proved to be extremely valuable this season, but the Seahawks O ranked no higher than 21st in the four major offensive categories.

In the 2012 draft, they should be searching for an explosive playmaker to complement Marshawn Lynch and a quarterback, something Seattle hasn't drafted since 2009 (Mike Teel, round 6). 1993 was the last year in which the Seahawks drafted a QB in the first round (Rick Mirer).

This year's weak QB class prompts many questions:  Should the Seahawks go after a quarterback in the first round? Or ride Tarvaris Jackson once again? Or seek a new starter via trade or free agency?

Nick Foles QB, Arizona

Nick Foles passed for 4,334 yards in his senior season.
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Nick Foles may be the best quarterback available in the first round after Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III get scooped up early.

At 6'5'' and 240 pounds, Foles definitely has the size of an NFL QB. Although he's ranked number 22 on Scouts Inc.'s top 32, Seattle could take a chance with the 11th or 12th pick (to be determined by a coin flip) and get the Arizona grad.

Foles tore up the top defenses in the Pac 12 in 2011, tossing three touchdowns and 398 yards against Oregon. He gashed USC for 425 yards while throwing 4 scores.

Foles could start right away and would have a healthy Sidney Rice and an emerging Doug Baldwin to throw to.

David DeCastro G, Stanford

DeCastro is the top rated offensive guard according to Scouts Inc.
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The 6'5'', 313 pound beast of an offensive guard in David DeCastro would be a welcome addition in Seattle.

The Seahawks had one of the worst offensive lines in 2011, allowing 50 sacks and 114 hits on the quarterback.

Yes, 114.

Although young tackles Russell Okung and James Carpenter both missed time due to injury, the O-line needs as much help as it can get. With All-American John Moffitt, who also missed games in his rookie season due to injury, Okung, Carpenter, DeCastro and Max Unger would make a scary offensive line with miles of potential.

I hate watching the Seahawks use early round draft picks on linemen year after year as much as the next guy, but once they finally decide to invest in a long-term quarterback, he'll need some protection.

DeCastro protected Andrew Luck and propelled him to greatness, and he was unanimously named a 2011 All-American. He's also homegrown–from Bellevue, WA, and would instantly gain support from Seahawks faithful.

Lamar Miller RB, Miami

Miller is the next best available running back after Trent Richardson.
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Marshawn Lynch is now a free agent and should be Seattle's highest priority this off-season.

If an agreement can't be reached, Justin Forsett and Leon Washington will be battling for the starting running back position. Trent Richardson will almost certainly be taken before Seattle has a chance to think about him, and Miami's Lamar Miller is the next highest rated running back available.

Leaving after just two years as a Hurricane, Miller put up some impressive numbers in 2011, rushing for 1,272 yards on 227 carries and scoring 9 touchdowns.

He also displayed receiving skills, recording 17 catches for 85 yards and one score. Even if the Hawks re-sign Lynch, Miller's value would hold as a backup and running back of the future. 

Devon Still DT, Penn State

Still could start at DT for Seattle in 2012.
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While Brandon Mebane and Alan Branch held most ball carriers in check in 2011, run defense was a weak point for Seattle. Still recorded 55 total tackles and 4.5 sacks for Penn State.

He's 6'5'' and 310 lbs and would help plug up any holes in the Seattle D. 

Nick Perry DE, USC

Pete Carroll coached Nick Perry at USC in 2009.
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In both of Pete Carroll's first two drafts as head coach of the Seahawks he has taken a player from USC.

Defensive end Nick Perry and Carroll could reunite this April.

Perry is the fourth best defensive end in this year's draft according to Scouts Inc. and could fall to the Seahawks in the second round. The 6'3'', 250 pound junior from Detroit tallied 9.5 sacks for the Trojans in 2011 and could provide some much needed speed off the line.

Coach Carroll loves drafting former Trojans–don't be surprised if Seattle seeks out Perry in round 2.