12 QB Draft Prospects the Seattle Seahawks Must Consider in 2012

The Seattle Seahawks are definitely a team in need of a franchise quarterback. Tarvaris Jackson has shown flashes of being a solid quarterback in the NFL, but he isn't a franchise leader.

Pete Carroll has said he wants to win with solid defense and a strong run game. He claims to want a game manager under center to control the pace of the game but not command center stage.

They did just that in a win over the Baltimore Ravens in Week 10. 

Carroll undoubtedly recognizes that the teams making it to, and winning the Super Bowl, have a proficient quarterback that can carry their team.

He had a bit of tangible evidence against Baltimore.

Despite turnovers giving the Seahawks several short fields, they settled for five field goals. The team needs an upgrade at quarterback if they hope to do more than just make the playoffs.

Until Carroll is able to find that player, he will continue to say Tarvaris Jackson will work within their system. But rest assured, as soon as Carroll and John Schneider can find a star quarterback, they will be making a change.

Here are a dozen possibilities they could be considering for April. 

12. Brandon Weeden, Oklahoma State, 6'4", 218 Pounds

Anticipated Draft Position:  Fourth-Round Pick

I shouldn't summarily dismiss Brandon Weeden, as he looks like he could be a solid passer. However, any quarterback that won't enter the NFL until he's almost 29 years old has a limited ceiling.

If Weeden falls to the fifth or sixth round, I can see the Seahawks taking a shot on him.

However, Pete Carroll needs to make an impact with whatever quarterback he selects. I don't see Weeden fitting that description. 

YEAR	CMP	ATT	PCT	YDS	AVG	TD	INT	RATE
2011	313	428	73.1	3635	8.5	31	9	164.2
2010	342	511	66.9	4277	8.4	34	13	154.1
2009	15	24	62.5	248	10.3	4	1	196.0
2008	1	3	33.3	8	2.7	0	0	55.7

11. Russell Wilson, Wisconsin, 5'11", 210 Pounds

Anticipated Draft Position:  Late Rounds/Free Agent

Russell Wilson is a good passer and has great speed. He does a solid job of reading defenses and runs one of the better offenses in college football.

Wilson also has about the best stat line in college football, with a QB Rating over 200 and an 8:1 TD to INT ratio.

He averages over 11 yards per attempt and is completing passes a little more regularly than Aaron Rodgers.

So what's not to like?

Oh, you read the title of the slide? Quarterbacks under 6'2" don't fare so well in the NFL?

Perhaps that is true. A team that could use a developmental quarterback might give Wilson a look late in the draft.

I can see the Washington Redskins grabbing him for depth and to give their scout team someone that can move almost as well as Vick.

But I don't see Seattle being an option, though stranger things have happened.

YEAR	CMP	ATT	PCT	YDS	AVG	TD	INT	RATE
2011	160	218	73.4	2416	11.1	25	3	201.6
2010	308	527	58.4	3563	6.8	28	14	127.5
2009	224	378	59.3	3027	8.0	31	11	147.8
2008	150	275	54.5	1955	7.1	17	1	133.9

10. Kellen Moore, Boise State, 6'0", 195 Pounds

Anticipated Draft Position:  Fifth-Round Pick

With my apologies to Kellen Moore and Boise State fans (or at least Kellen Moore fans), I don't see him making the same type of impact on the NFL as Tim Tebow has. 

Moore is a gritty competitor, but the two things I'll be watching for at the combine is if he actually hits 6'0" and if he can really turn in a sub-five-second 40-time. 

I've already watched Moore throw, and I'm concerned with his hand positioning. He holds the ball upside down and has what looks to be a fairly big delivery for a short quarterback.

Then there is the low delivery.

I hope Moore proves me wrong, but at this point I see a backup NFL QB that gets the ball knocked out of his hand and batted down by defensive linemen doing their best King Kong impersonations.

YEAR	CMP	ATT	PCT	YDS	AVG	TD	INT	RATE
2011	220	297	74.1	2549	8.58	31	5	177.2
2010	273	383	71.3	3845	10.04	35	6	182.6
2009	277	431	64.3	3536	8.20	39	3	161.7
2008	281	405	69.4	3486	8.61	25	10	157.1

9. Ryan Lindley, San Diego State, 6'4", 230 Pounds

Anticipated Draft Position:  Sixth-Round Pick

I really try to like Ryan Lindley as a draft prospect. He has a great arm and works out of a pro style offense. 

That is about where the praise comes to an end.

Lindley has struggled with accuracy issues in college. He is a bit slow, even for a quarterback. His production has also declined his senior season, which will raise a few red flags.

Lindley could be the type of player the Seahawks feel they can work with, though. After all, this wouldn't be the first time they took a chance on a quarterback in San Diego.

YEAR	CMP	ATT	PCT	YDS	AVG	TD	INT	RATE
2011	145	278	52.2	1957	7.0	15	6	124.8
2010	243	421	57.7	3830	9.1	28	14	149.4
2009	239	437	54.7	3054	7.0	23	16	123.4
2008	242	427	56.7	2653	6.2	16	9	117.0

8. Landry Jones, Oklahoma, 6'4", 229 Pounds

Anticipated Draft Position:  Mid-to-Late First-Round Pick

This is a surprising spot for the quarterback that many have listed as the second best passer in the 2012 NFL draft. 

My first issue with Landry Jones is I don't believe he's going to be available in the 2012 draft. And not just for the Seahawks.

Jones is 22 years old as a junior. He has shown flashes of greatness mixed with moments of needing more time in college to develop.

He could be seen as the fourth quarterback in this draft class, which might be enough to push him back to Oklahoma for his final season.

Then again, he could declare and be drafted before the Seahawks are able to present their pick.

I just don't see him in a Seahawks uniform in 2012.

YEAR	CMP	ATT	PCT	YDS	AVG	TD	INT	RATE
2011	254	393	64.6	3349	8.5	28	9	155.1
2010	405	617	65.6	4718	7.6	38	12	146.3
2009	261	449	58.1	3198	7.1	26	14	130.8

7. Dan Persa, Northwestern, 6'1", 210 Pounds

Anticipated Draft Position: Sixth-Round Pick or Later

Dan Persa isn't finding his name on too many draft boards. Not that he's looking.

An achilles injury caused Persa to miss the end of last season and first three games of 2011. He's also battled turf toe and a shoulder issue this season.

The missed time could be part of why the All-Big Ten quarterback hasn't received much mention for the 2012 draft.

He has good running abilities and makes solid throws.

I do question how Persa will do with deep passes. But his ability to throw on the run should attract coaching staffs, like Seattle's, that value a mobile quarterback.

He has shown great scramble ability. But unlike running quarterbacks, he still keeps an eye downfield and finds receivers on the move, which I missed while watching tape.

What coach Carroll may like most about Persa is he is simply a football player. He works hard in the weight room and on the field and is a tough competitor. He's a smart athlete, which should be obvious given the college he attends.

Regardless of whom Seattle drafts in the early rounds, they should grab Persa in the sixth or seventh round if he is still on the board.

If they don't, my reaction will likely be similar to the fit I threw when they didn't draft Jeron Johnson in the 2011 draft. 

Seattle made up for that mistake by signing Johnson as an undrafted free agent. They won't likely have that opportunity with Persa. 

YEAR	CMP	ATT	PCT	YDS	AVG	TD	INT	RATE
2011	148	197	75.1	1702	8.6	13	6	163.4
2010	222	302	73.5	2581	8.5	15	4	159.0
2009	20	34	58.8	224	6.6	2	2	121.8

6. Ryan Tannehill, Texas A&M, 6'4", 222 Pounds

Anticipated Draft Position:  Late First-to-Second-Round Pick

I struggle putting Ryan Tannehill this high and this low.

I know that doesn't make a lot of sense, but some said neither did me predicting Seattle to lose in Dallas and then beat the Ravens at home.

The issue I have with Tannehill is he is likely several years away from playing in the NFL. Seattle doesn't have the time to wait for him; for that reason he belongs further down this list.

I like what Tannehill has grown into as a passer in just a few seasons at the position. His potential to be a very good NFL quarterback pushes him ahead of Foles as a guy to grab in the second round, should he still be on the board.

The middle of this list represents an average of his potential and Seattle's need for a player that can start in 2012 or 2013.

Tannehill is a fast quarterback that can run with the ball. However, he can also throw well on the move, making him a good fit for Darrell Bevell's offense in Seattle.

The A&M offense does feature a lot of short routes. This has inflated Tannehill's completion percentage, which is troublesome considering his lower-end completion percentage.

He has shown proficiency with intermediate passes, though.

The biggest issue for Tannehill will be reading defenses and decision making. He has thrown several ill-advised passes this season. 

Granted, quarterbacks try to force a throw here and there. At times pressure or contact by a defender can lead to a poor decision or throw. But Tannehill has made quick throws that made no sense from the moment he let go of the ball.

That will take time to fix, and time is not a luxury the Seahawks have.

YEAR	CMP	ATT	PCT	YDS	AVG	TD	INT	RATE
2011	259	415	62.4	2911	7.0	23	11	134.3
2010	152	234	65.0	1638	7.0	13	6	137.0
2009	4	8	50.0	60	7.5	0	0	113.0
2008	1	1	100.0	8	8.0	0	0	167.2

5. Kirk Cousins, Michigan State, 6'3", 205 Pounds

Anticipated Draft Position:  Second-Round Pick

While Kirk Cousins isn't likely to make too many top five lists come draft season, he will make mine relative to the Seahawks.

Cousins looks to be exactly the type of quarterback the Seahawks want.

He's a solid pocket passer that is very good with play-action. He can roll out and throw on the run and will be best served on a team that wants to run first.

While Cousins can struggle when hurried, he is a solid game manager that will distribute the ball well.

His frame is a bit small for an NFL quarterback, though, so don't expect him to be running with the ball too often.

YEAR	CMP	ATT	PCT	YDS	AVG	TD	INT	RATE
2011	188	296	63.5	2249	7.6	16	5	141.8
2010	226	338	66.9	2825	8.4	20	10	150.7
2009	198	328	60.4	2680	8.2	19	9	142.6
2008	32	43	74.4	310	16	2	1	145.7

4. Nick Foles, Arizona, 6'5", 240 Pounds

Anticipated Draft Position: Second-Round Pick

While Nick Foles isn't getting the same attention as some other quarterbacks in this draft class, I like Seattle's odds of snagging him with a second-round pick.

Foles does lack the speed Seattle seems to want in their quarterback—his combine 40 figure should come in under five seconds, but it will likely be above 4.9.

I don't see that as a deal-breaker for Seattle, though. Charlie Whitehurst isn't the fastest quarterback on the field, either.

Foles tends to throw a lot of short passes, which does inflate his completion percentage. I'm not totally convinced he's a top option for the deep ball, which is something the Seahawks will want given their receiver corps. 

Foles may need more than the one season the Seahawks will want to wait for their new quarterback to take over.

However, his size and pocket presence could help turn him into an elite NFL quarterback.

YEAR	CMP	ATT	PCT	YDS	AVG	TD	INT	RATE
2011	319	466	68.5	3612	7.8	23	13	144.3
2010	286	426	67.1	3191	7.5	20	10	140.9
2009	260	409	63.6	2486	6.1	19	9	125.6
2007	5	8	62.5	57	7.1	0	0	122.4

3. Robert Griffin III, Baylor, 6'2", 220 Pounds

Anticipated Draft Position: Top 15 Pick

Robert Griffin III, or RGIII as he's become known, is the most likely draft prospect for the Seahawks in April. At least for now.

Griffin is currently ranked as the fourth or fifth-best quarterback on most prospect boards. He's being compared to Cam Newton with his speed, size and athleticism.

However, RGIII could have a much better NFL arm than Newton. He's posting gaudy numbers and throws an incredibly accurate deep ball. 

Griffin is also very smart and makes great on-field decisions. He finished his undergraduate degree in political science in just three years, graduating seventh in his class.

He is currently working on a Master's degree.

RGIII may opt to return to school for his senior season, but his academics may have taken him as far as he can go prior to entering the NFL.

He will likely be done with his Master's degree at the end of this year. He wants to go to law school, but that will likely have to wait until his NFL career is over. 

As skeptical as I was, it would be a very good thing for Seattle fans if that career was spent in Seahawk blue.

YEAR	CMP	ATT	PCT	YDS	AVG	TD	INT	RATE
2011	224	302	74.2	3093	10.2	29	5	188.6
2010	304	454	67.0	3501	7.7	22	8	144.2
2009	45	69	65.2	481	7.0	4	0	142.9
2008	160	267	59.9	2091	7.8	15	3	142.0

2. Andrew Luck, Stanford, 6'4", 235 Pounds

Anticipated Draft Position: Top Pick

It may come as a surprise, but Andrew Luck did not make the top of the list. It isn't as though he isn't the best prospect.

He obviously is. But the draft and player capital it will take to get Andrew Luck make him somewhat unattainable for Seattle.

While their team is close to being able to compete on football's biggest stage, they have a few holes and free agent issues to address.

Seattle needs to find a pass-rushing defensive end. Free agent issues at linebacker and running back may also require draft-day attention. T

hey may also look for depth along both lines and could use a hole-busting fullback.

Even if the Indianapolis Colts decide to trade out of the first pick in the draft, the expectation is it will take five or more high draft picks to take over the slot.

Luck may be a better option than the top player on this list, but he may not be a better option for the offense Seattle looks to want to run.

Add in the talent that can be acquired with the extra draft picks, and it isn't hard to expect the Seahawks to look in a different direction.

YEAR	CMP	ATT	PCT	YDS	AVG	TD	INT	RATE
2011	221	313	70.6	2680	8.6	29	7	168.6
2010	263	372	70.7	3338	9.0	32	8	170.2
2009	162	288	56.3	2575	8.9	13	4	143.5

1. Matt Barkley, USC, 6'2", 200 Pounds

Anticipated Draft Position: Top Five Pick

My biggest concern with dropping Matt Barkley into the top slot is I'm not sure he'll be available.

The top three quarterbacks on this ranking all have a year of eligibility remaining.

It is unlikely Luck would return to Stanford and play without several of his top offensive linemen.

Griffin is also likely to declare for the NFL draft, as he will likely have his graduate degree by the end of the season.

Barkley, on the other hand, is concerned with abandoning his teammates. Further, a return for his senior season could lead to a Pac-12 championship, national title game and a run for the Heisman Trophy.

If he does come out, don't be surprised to see his former college coach, Pete Carroll, do whatever he can to draft the franchise prospect.

Some analysts and fans believe Carroll will want Barkley because of the USC connection. They point to other players that Carroll has given opportunities to, such as Mike Williams.

However, LenDale White, Lawrence Jackson and Lofa Tatupu can attest to the fact Carroll doesn't cut his former players any slack.

Matt Leinart and Carson Palmer are quarterbacks Carroll didn't go out of his way or over-spend to get.

The reason Carroll will want Barkley is a solid mix of scramble ability, arm strength and decision-making that should make him a quality NFL quarterback.

Add in his great accuracy and Barkley could be a very special quarterback.

The Seattle Seahawks hope he comes in and is their missing piece for a championship team.

YEAR	CMP	ATT	PCT	YDS	AVG	TD	INT	RATE
2011	247	370	66.8	2782	7.5	29	6	152.5
2010	236	377	62.6	2791	7.4	26	12	141.2
2009	211	352	59.9	2735	7.8	15	14	131.3