2012 NFL Draft: 19 Players the Seattle Seahawks Should Target in the Draft

The Seattle Seahawks finished 2011 with the same 7-9 record as the 2010 season but will be drafting 12 picks higher in the 2012 NFL draft. 

Seattle's actual draft slot is still pending a coin toss that will give it either the 11th or 12th spot, but 12 just seems more fitting.

Pete Carroll and general manager John Schneider have engineered an amazing transformation of talent. They've found gems later in the draft along with undrafted free agents and players that weren't on the radar screens for other NFL franchises.

The change in talent can be seen as easily as looking at the Pro Bowl rosters. The team had no representation when player decisions were turned over to Carroll. Seattle will suit up five players in Hawaii this season.

Despite the improvements, Seattle enters the 2012 offseason with some very specific needs. Look for an active mix of free-agent acquisitions and continued building through the draft.

Some fans will want to see the Seahawks upgrade the quarterback position via an early draft pick, but they are likely to be disappointed.

The potential for the Seahawks to move up in 2012 and get one of the top two quarterbacks is thin, as the St. Louis Rams sit at the No. 2 slot and would be well served trading that pick to a team that wants Robert Griffin III. It would give them some extra picks to help with their offensive rebuilding while keeping the Seahawks from getting a franchise quarterback on the roster.

Seattle is more likely to trade down from its early draft pick to acquire a first-round selection in 2013. This would help set the table to draft one of the expected top quarterbacks in that draft class.

Aside from quarterback, the Seahawks figure to look at pass rush help from the front four and for help at the linebacker position. Their secondary is solid, but Seattle might look for cornerback depth late in the draft.

On offense, the Seahawks need to shore up the running back position. Marshawn Lynch is a free agent they will certainly look to re-sign, but the team can be expected to draft a replacement for Justin Forsett or a new starting back should Seattle lose Lynch in free agency.

The free-agent status of John Carlson could make finding a versatile tight end a priority in later rounds. Cameron Morrah should be a pass-catching option in 2012, with Zach Miller figuring to become an offensive threat again once the Seahawks have their offensive line in order.

Rounds 6-7: Philip Blake, C, Baylor, 6'2", 320 Pounds

While not the fastest interior lineman in the draft?

Philip Blake certainly has the size to fit with Tom Cable's blocking system.

If Seattle isn't able to grab a blocker earlier in the draft, Blake could be an option in the final round.

Rounds 6-7: Matt Conrath, DT, Virginia, 6'7", 281 Pounds

Matt Conrath is a solid interior lineman that might be able to help the Seahawks with their pass rush. He has decent speed and gets a good push at the line of scrimmage.

He's projected as a seventh-round or undrafted free-agent option.

He's definitely worth using a late draft pick on, as he could help the Seahawks keep opposing quarterbacks from stepping up in the pocket and escaping the defensive ends.

Rounds 6-7: Olivier Vernon, DE, Miami, 6'3", 265 Pounds

Olivier Vernon was part of the investigation of improper benefits being provided at the University of Miami. That isn't likely to impact his draft status, but his poor showing as a junior certainly will.

He could have used his senior season to turn things around, but the scrutiny could've made that difficult.

Vernon has a solid first step and would be an ideal candidate to platoon with Red Bryant on passing downs. He showed promise as a sophomore, but he wasn't overly present in 2011.

He is worth a gamble in the sixth round for Seattle, as he could spend a few years working against right tackles and learning the NFL.

Rounds 6-7: Kavario Middleton, TE, Montana, 6'5", 253 Pounds

Kavario Middleton was a starting tight end for the Washington Huskies until he was dismissed from the team for an undisclosed violation of team rules. It was reported by the Seattle Times and the News Tribune that he failed multiple drug tests performed by campus police.

Middleton is a talented receiver with a great blend of size and speed, running a 4.7-second 40-yard dash. He became expendable for Washington, though, as he was struggling to keep his starting position his junior year. They were also signing prep standout Austin Seferian-Jenkins.

Middleton originally planned to transfer to Nebraska, but he did not meet transfer requirements. Moving to a FCS school allowed Middleton to not skip the 2010 season. 

Middleton has not been getting much attention following his fall from UW. That may change over the coming months, but he could be a good project and another late-round gem for the Seahawks front office.

Seattle's needs at the tight end position will be determined on the price it takes to re-sign free agent John Carlson.

Rounds 4-5: Darius Fleming, OLB, Notre Dame, 6'2", 255 Pounds

Darius Fleming has not been getting the praise of some of the high-profile linebackers heading into the 2012 NFL draft. Given his great blend of size, speed and instincts, that could change.

Fleming was originally used as a defensive end. However, he had the speed to drop back to Notre Dame's "Cat" linebacker.

He's been a disruptive force in the Irish pass defense, something the Seahawks desperately need.

Fleming has made a solid name for himself in college. It is yet to be seen how that will carry over relative to the NFL draft.

Just a few months ago, Fleming was being looked at as a sixth- or seventh-round player. He's now being projected in the fifth round.

Rounds 4-5: Brandon Weeden, QB, Oklahoma State, 6'4", 218 Pounds

I shouldn't summarily dismiss Brandon Weeden, as he looks like he could be a solid passer. He should also be ready to start as a "rookie."

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	408	564	72.3	4727	8.4	37	13	159.8
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

Rounds 4-5: Donnie Fletcher, CB, Boston College, 6'1", 195 Pounds

As deep as the Seahawks are at cornerback, Pete Carroll will always look to add competition. Donnie Fletcher is a solid college corner that has great instincts and reacts well to the ball.

Fletcher has good speed but will likely be challenged covering top receivers in the NFL.

If an NFL team wants him to challenge for a starting job, he may be gone before the fifth round. However, I don't see him as a starting corner in the NFL. He should, however, be a very good nickelback or part of Seattle's bandit package.

Following a five-interception performance as a junior, Fletcher had two picks in 2011. His tackles also dropped, as Fletcher missed two games, and the team failed to qualify for a bowl game following this season.

Rounds 4-5: Lucas Nix, OG, Pittsburgh, 6'5", 310 Pounds

The Seahawks have an improving offensive line but still have a little work to do.

Robert Gallery is a short-term solution, and line coach Tom Cable will most certainly want to get the future of the position accustomed to working next to Russell Okung.

Seattle has some decent depth at the position, but it also has several free agents to attempt to re-sign. 

Lucas Nix may lack the size Seattle looks for on its line, but he is one of the "faster" guards in the draft.

Round 2-3: Billy Winn, DE/DT, Boise State, 6'3", 296 Pounds

Billy Winn offers versatility on the Seahawks defensive line, a feature that Gus Bradley and Pete Carroll embrace. He can offer push up the middle or jump outside and do the same.

Winn has been able to register sacks and tackles for loss and could be used as a disruptive force in pass defense. He lacks the raw speed of elite defensive ends but would fill a strong need in Seattle.

Winn's application in Seattle will likely be determined by who they choose in the first round and which quarterback is available with their second pick.

Round 2-3: Bruce Irvin, OLB/DE, West Virginia, 6'2", 245 Pounds

Bruce Irvin is difficult to place in the NFL. He looks like a solid rush 3-4 linebacker, but his speed opens up other possibilities. 

He would fit in Seattle as a situational pass-rusher from the left side and could eventually replace Chris Clemons at the Leo end position. He could also play outside linebacker in Seattle's 4-3 sets.

One thing that is certain is he is a talented pass-rusher with great speed. His 14 sacks in 2010 were first in the FBS. He cooled off in 2011, recording just 7.5 sacks.

The other certainty is Pete Carroll and Gus Bradley have the talent to figure out how to use Irvin in their hybrid defense.

Round 2-3: Brock Osweiler, QB, Arizona State, 6'7", 240 Pounds

I was surprised that Brock Osweiler opted to enter the draft in 2012, as he could have benefited from taking some more snaps in college. However, the decisions of Matt Barkley and Landry Jones left a void this year that Osweiler is looking to fill.

As a Seahawk fan, it is difficult for me to not think of Dan McGwire when I consider Osweiler's NFL potential.

That changes when watching him play.

While he has a bit of an odd twitch in his delivery, he does deliver the ball quickly and with solid zip. He also moves fairly well, avoiding sacks and throwing well while on the run.

My biggest concern with Osweiler is accuracy. He struggles with deep passes and looks average on intermediate routes.

Osweiler may develop into a quality NFL quarterback, but he'll need some seasoning first. He is very tempting for the Seahawks in the third round, but their second-round pick would be a bit of a reach. 

Round 2-3: Kirk Cousins, QB, Michigan, 6'2", 209 Pounds

Kirk 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.

In my November review, I stated that Cousins would be a top-five quarterback based on what the Seahawks are looking for. He has now climbed into similar standings for most draft boards.

YEAR	CMP	ATT	PCT	YDS	AVG	TD	INT	RATE
2011	267	419	63.7	3316	7.9	25	10	145.1
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

Round 2-3: Nick Foles, QB, Arizona, 6'5", 240 Pounds

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

Foles does lack the speed Seattle seems to want in its quarterback—his combine 40 time 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, and that didn't keep the Seahawks from trading for him.

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 won't likely be able to unseat Tarvaris Jackson in 2012. 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	387	560	69.1	4334	7.7	28	14	145.6
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

Round 2-3: Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M, 6'4", 222 Pounds

I see several similarities between Osweiler and Ryan Tannehill. Both have high ceilings but need time to get there. Both throw well on the run but can struggle on deep passes. 

Tannehill looks to be a much better prospect, though. He does well reading defenses under the Texas A&M system and has good accuracy on intermediate routes.

Tannehill's throwing motion also has a hitch. He drops his elbow before throwing the ball.

While Osweiler still releases the ball quickly, Tannehill's motion delays his delivery. This is an issue that might be addressed with NFL coaches, though, as he hasn't had as much experience at quarterback in college.

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.

The biggest issue for Tannehill will be decision making. He has thrown several ill-advised passes this season and would benefit from a few big receivers that can bail him out. 

Some believe Tannehill could be a first-round pick. That seems high for a project quarterback, and he will likely be taken in the second round.

Don't be surprised to see the Seahawks take a gamble on him.

Round 1: Vontaze Burfict, ILB, Arizona State, 6'3", 250 Pounds

Vontaze Burfict has the size to be a quality NFL linebacker, along with the speed (4.67) to help in pass defense.

He also has the attitude to fit in Seattle's new hard-nosed approach to playing defense.

Seattle will likely attempt to re-sign David Hawthorne and possibly Leroy Hill. Adding another linebacker may seem like a luxury, but difficulty covering tight ends and running backs is a huge issue for the Seahawks.

While not as obvious as pass-rush issues, the Seahawks have given up too many big plays due to lack of speed at linebacker.

Burfict would give Seattle an amazing amount of flexibility. Hawthorne could be moved back outside, but all three players could play inside or out based on the situation and defensive formation.

Round 1: Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor and Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

Quarterback is the position in which the Seahawks can make the biggest move during 2012, but an impact player isn't likely going to come via the draft.

We've addressed a few prospects that could be groomed to become NFL starters, but there are two players that figure to make an impact in their rookie seasons.

Andrew Luck will most certainly be the top pick in the draft, and there are about 27 teams that would like the opportunity to draft him. The Indianapolis Colts know as well as anyone how much of an impact a top-flight quarterback can make. For that reason, there is little chance they will be moving from position to draft Peyton Manning's replacement.

The St. Louis Rams hold the second pick and have their starting quarterback. They need to respond to issues at wide receiver and the offensive line, both of which can be addressed with a move that keeps them in the Top 10.

If they are leaning toward a wide receiver, moving down makes perfect sense.

The decision isn't as cut-and-dry if they are looking for someone to take over for Roger Saffold at left tackle. They may be willing to miss out on Matt Kalil or Jonathan Martin...but won't risk missing out on both of them.

The Washington Redskins and Miami Dolphins have a need at quarterback and are both in the range that would allow the Rams to take one of the top two wide receivers or tackles. 

If the Rams stay put at No. 2, Robert Griffin could come into play for the Seahawks. The Vikings aren't likely to give up their spot, as they also have a burning need for a franchise left tackle.

The Seahawks could move up to the fourth spot, allowing the rebuilding Browns to stockpile a few more selections to gather offensive weapons to see if Colt McCoy can be a franchise quarterback. If he fails, the Browns would have their pick and Seattle's in the first round of 2013 to maneuver to get a quarterback.

The potential to get a quarterback in the first round is well out of Pete Carroll's hands, but rest assured they'll be in position to pounce if Griffin is available at No. 4.

Round 1: Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina, 6'6", 285 Pounds

Quinton Coples is all over the various draft boards. Some see him as a Top 10 pick, while others have him falling completely out of the first round.

The biggest concern with Coples is inconsistency that is pinned to potential apathy.

Coples did struggle at times in 2011, but he looked most comfortable when he was moved back out to play his natural defensive end position. Spending time at defensive tackle because of team needs shouldn't be held against him.

Coples could climb back into the top of the draft with solid showings at the Senior Bowl and the NFL combine. That would be good for him, but bad for a Seahawks team in dire need of a pass-rusher.

Coples could rotate in with Red Bryant on passing downs in 2012. This would give him time to get accustomed to the NFL while working against right tackles.

Chris Clemons will be a 31-year-old free agent in 2013. Seattle could see Coples as his replacement as their every-down end and re-sign Clemons as a pass-rush specialist.

Round 1: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama, 5'11", 224 Pounds

This will come as a surprise to many, particularly Seahawks fans that are enamored with Marshawn Lynch. 

While Lynch is a solid, hard-nosed running back, he isn't on the same level as Trent Richardson...at least not what is expected of him. He has the same upside as Adrian Peterson, which is hard to ignore for a team that wants to establish its identity on offense by running the ball.

There is a good chance that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Cleveland Browns or Miami Dolphins grab him before the Seahawks are on the board, but these teams would need to ignore other needs to take him.

As much as the Seahawks need a pass-rusher, contract talks with Lynch could direct how soon they need to grab a runner. If Seattle and Lynch don't come to a long-term contract, expect it to extend the franchise tag and then draft a replacement.

Richardson is the best running prospect to come out of college since Peterson. It is hard to ignore the impact he could have on an improving offense in Seattle that wants to lean heavily on the ground game.