Mel Kiper 2012 NFL Mock Draft: Seattle Seahawks Take DE Melvin Ingram

In his second mock draft of the 2012 NFL draft season, ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper has the Seattle Seahawks taking South Carolina defensive end Melvin Ingram with the No. 12 pick in the first round. 

Considering the Seahawks' need for another pass rusher opposite Chris Clemons, adding an explosive talent like Ingram makes a lot of sense at No. 12 for Seattle.

Kiper had this to say on the Seahawks' first round pick:

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Some see the Seahawks looking at a QB this high, but the value doesn't make a lot of sense for me just yet. On the defensive side of the ball, the big need is help for the pass rush. Ingram has enough size to hold up in the 4-3, and will provide an upgrade.

The Seattle defense is really fast, and could become dynamic if it can generate more pressure on opposing passers. If Kuechly is still here, I can also see that pick, but the development of K.J. Wright makes Ingram a good target.

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Eventually, whether it's in free agency, the draft or next offseason, the Seahawks will need to find an answer at quarterback. 

But as Kiper says, the value doesn't add up for the Seahawks to take on at No. 12. Instead, the Seahawks can get one piece closer to putting their defense amongst the NFC's elite. 

Ingram would be a big step in that direction. While Clemons provided 12 sacks in 2011 from one defensive end spot, the Seahawks' pass rush from the opposite side was limited. 

According to Pro Football Focus, Red Bryant and Raheem Brock combined for just five sacks and 43 quarterback pressures in over 1,400 snaps last season. Bryant is also a free agent, which could leave the Seahawks short-handed on the opposite side of Clemons. 

Adding Ingram could solve both the need for more pressure and depth at defensive end.

After an electric senior season at South Carolina, Ingram has been rocketing up draft boards. National Football Post has Ingram as its 24th best prospect.

Here is a brief scouting report on Ingram from NFP: 

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He is an impressive pass rusher who can get after the QB in a number of ways. Ingram is raw with his technique and can get better, but his suddenness, length and natural feel for the game makes me think he's one of the draft best senior pass rushers.

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Kiper has Ingram at No. 10 on his top 25 "Big Board":

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Positional scarcity helps his cause, as I've said before. A very good pass-rusher, Ingram has the ability to convert to a 3-4 outside linebacker in the right system, but he could get a lot of looks for the 4-3 early on.

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Finding a quarterback of the future will remain a pressing need for Seattle until they sign one in free agency or draft one with some upside. But the prospect of adding Ingram, who could be an impact pass rusher from day one, might be too much to pass up.

With Ingram on board in 2012, the Seahawks defense could rival some of the NFL's very best.

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