2012 NFL Draft: Why Seattle Seahawks Must Draft Luke Kuechly in Round 1

Most NFL teams would consider a 7-9 season without a playoff appearance a disappointment. For the Seattle Seahawks, the 2011 season was a pleasant surprise and revealed several bright spots.

Marshawn Lynch 

Lynch had the best season of his career in 2011, rushing for 1,204 yards and 12 touchdowns, both career bests. He's only 25 and will only get better. Seattle needs to re-sign Lynch to a long-term deal, as he has the potential to be one of the top running backs in Seahawks history. If the two sides can work out a deal, Seattle and Lynch will be tough to contain in 2012. 

Brandon Browner

The Cinderella story of Browner continued in 2011, as the 27-year-old rookie intercepted six passes and returned two for touchdowns on his way to a Pro Bowl selection. He provided some much-needed help in the secondary as a result of season-ending injuries to cornerbacks Walter Thurmond and Marcus Trufant. Browner will continue to be granted heavy playing time and has staying power in Seattle.=

Doug Baldwin

The rookie wide-out led the Seahawks in receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns last year. Injuries to Sidney Rice and John Carlson opened up the passing game for Baldwin, and he solidified himself as a go-to offensive weapon. He'll surely play a significant role again in 2012 and will help the Seahawks contend next season.

Amidst the positives the 'Hawks can take out of 2011, there are also some areas for concern. The passing game needs to improve. Seattle ranked 22nd in the NFL in total passing yards and the quarterbacks threw just 15 touchdowns all season. The right quarterback may not be available in the upcoming draft, but look for Seattle to add a legit starter via free agency or trade.

Opposing defenses took down Tarvaris Jackson and Charlie Whitehurst 50 times last season, and the offensive line will needs to step up in 2012. Key offensive linemen suffered severe injuries last season, and health plagued the Seahawks in yet another aspect of the game.

Seattle's linebacker corps will potentially take a major hit in the offseason. Veterans Leroy Hill and David Hawthorne are both free agents, and it's unlikely they'll both be re-signed. Other than Hill and Hawthorne, the Seahawks are very weak at linebacker. Rookie K.J. Wright looks promising, but overall Seattle needs help in the middle.

Since the first round most likely isn't the right time for the Seahawks to take a quarterback, they should look to fill a void at linebacker with Boston College's Luke Kuechly.

Kuechly can tackle. The two-time consensus All-American led the NCAA in total and solo tackles twice, and finished second in the nation in both categories his freshman year. While Kuechly recorded an underwhelming 2.5 sacks in his three years at BC, he's a smart player with an extremely high ceiling and is clearly talented.

With Kuechly, Seattle would improve an already stout run defense, and although Kuechly lacks superior speed, he would be serviceable in the pass defense as well. He can only get better and can improve his pass-rushing ability to become a premier linebacker at the pro level.    

Seattle's pass-rushing numbers from last season are concerning, and drafting Kuechly could spark debate as to whether or not he was the right pick based on his pass-rushing ability. He will get bigger, faster, stronger and better, and you have to believe he will improve at getting to the quarterback. He's simply too good not to.

Kuechly would quickly become a fan favorite in Seattle end excel for many years in the NFL. With him and one or two other pieces, the Seahawks will be a competitive team in 2012.