2012 NFL Draft: Seattle Seahawks' Biggest Needs

Coming off a second consecutive 7-9 season, the Seattle Seahawks appear to be just a few pieces short of being legitimate contenders in the NFC. They'll have either the 11th or 12th selection in the upcoming draft (to be determined by a coin toss) and have an opportunity to fulfill a need early on with a quality player.

Seattle, with one of the youngest teams in the league, looks to build upon that youth in 2012 and make a playoff push in the NFC West.

Here's a preview of their biggest needs going forward. 

1. Quarterback

Without a doubt the Seahawks' biggest need this offseason is at quarterback. While Tarvaris Jackson had the best year of his career in 2011, he simply isn't the guy Seattle wants under center if they're serious about getting to the playoffs and making a deep run.

The draft may not grant the Seahawks the opportunity to pick up their quarterback of the future unless a trade is manufactured, but they could always select a QB in the second or third round and have him sit for a year or two if somehow Seattle gets Peyton Manning.

While the Manning scenario is unlikely, there are some attractive options in the free-agent market.

The Packers' Matt Flynn appears ready to break free from Aaron Rodgers' shadow and find a starting job of his own. The former LSU QB was impressive in his one start of 2011, completing 31 of 44 passes for 480 yards with six touchdowns.

Other free-agent quarterbacks unlikely to be re-signed are Kyle Orton, Jason Campbell and Donovan McNabb. 

2. Linebacker

Five of Seattle's linebackers are now free agents, including starters David Hawthorne and Leroy Hill. It remains to be seen what will happen with the two who have spent their entire pro career with the Seahawks, but the rest of the linebacker corps is rather weak outside of K.J. Wright.

There are some viable linebacker options at the top of Scouts Inc.'s Top 32, including Boston College's Luke Kuechly, Alabama's Courtney Upshaw and Arizona State's Vontaze Burfict. Any of these three could start right away for Seattle and provide some much-needed help in the middle of the field.

3. Offensive Line

Seattle's offensive line allowed 50 sacks and 114 hits on the quarterback in 2011, and it is evident the Seahawks need to shore things up in the front.

Granted, their No. 1 pick in the draft last year, James Carpenter (pictured), missed seven games due to injury, and the Seahawks' first selection of the 2010 draft, Russell Okung, was sidelined four games with injuries as well.

The Seahawks will count on their blockers being healthy for 2012, but a mid-round lineman pick certainly wouldn't hurt.  

4. Wide Receiver

Sidney Rice's highly anticipated first year in Seattle suffered a disappointing ending, as the former Viking hooked up with his former teammate Tarvaris Jackson 32 times for 484 yards over nine games before being put on injured reserve.

Rookie Doug Baldwin had a breakout season, leading the team in receptions, receiving yards and TD catches. The Seahawks will look to get Rice and Mike Williams back from injury, and will anticipate improvement and continued success from Baldwin.

The roster possesses several young pass-catchers, but with the recent injury misfortune the 'Hawks have suffered, another wouldn't be a bad thing. 

5. Running Back

Marshawn Lynch carried the Seahawks offense in 2011 on his way to a Pro Bowl selection and his first 1,000-yard rushing season since 2008. 

Lynch is currently a free agent, and while every Seahawks fan hopes he will get re-signed, his asking price will certainly be high.

Regardless of what goes down with Lynch, Seattle could use some help in the backfield. Justin Forsett is a free agent, and Leon Washington has never been a full-time starter.

The Seahawks would benefit from acquiring a running back through the draft, either to back up Lynch or to potentially start if he is not re-signed.