NFL Draft 2012: 5 Reasons the Seattle Seahawks Are Better off Drafting a QB

With the NFL draft a little more than a month away, the Seattle Seahawks have some major hole to fill, such as at quarterback. 

After Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III, the rookie QB market isn't exceptionally strong, and although Seattle may have played itself out of a top-tier quarterback, it would be better off drafting one rather than picking one up via trade or free agency. 

1. Lack of Selection

Other than Matt Flynn, the list of free agent quarterbacks are all guys who could start for a year or two, but are not QB-of-the-future candidates. Byron Leftwich, Chad Pennington and Kyle Orton highlight the former/off-and-on starters the list of free-agent quarterbacks is abundant with.

The Peyton Manning saga remains unresolved, and the Seahawks can't take their chances and not draft a quarterback in hopes that they'll land Manning or Flynn.

2. Peyton Manning

Speaking of Manning, if the Seahawks are lucky enough to acquire the future Hall of Famer, he'll be 36 soon and is coming off multiple surgeries. He's still got a few good years in him, but Seattle should draft a quarterback regardless—someone it can let sit and be mentored for two to three years if need be.

If Manning chooses not to sport the aqua blue, the Seahawks can still get a QB in an early round who will be ready to start right away.

3. Trade Value

If the Seahawks are unable to draft a quarterback, they may be forced to look into trades in the offseason. The players with the most trade value on the roster are all players Seattle absolutely needs to be in contention. 

Young players such as Brandon Browner, Kam Chancellor and K.J. Wright have big trade value after impressive seasons, but those are guys the Seahawks want on the field come September. 

4. Pete Carroll

Coach Pete Carroll is good with quarterbacks. He's tutored players like Carson Palmer, Matt Cassel and Mark Sanchez to successful NFL careers, and never had bad results with quarterbacks in college.

By selecting a QB in the draft, the Seahawks could trust Carroll to mentor the young player and have him ready to start in 2012.

5. Sensibility

Though there's two quarterbacks far superior to all others at the position in this year's draft class, there are plenty of guys who have a chance to succeed in the pros.

Ryan Tannehill, Brock Osweiler and Kirk Cousins are among the players who will go from anywhere in the middle of Round 1 to Round 3, and any of them would make viable starters for next season. 

They may not get the guy they want, but the Seahawks need to draft a quarterback out of need and hindsight.