2012 NFL Draft: 4 Positions Seattle Seahawks Need to Address

Coming off of an up and down season in 2011, which ended with a 7-9 record, the Seattle Seahawks will be looking to bounce back in 2012 and secure a playoff berth.  Through the upcoming NFL Draft the Seahawks will be looking to address weaknesses on their current roster.

With the NFL Combine nearing its completion, the Seattle Seahawks are one step closer to the 2012 NFL Draft, which is less than two months away.  The draft order was finalized late last week, as the Seahawks lost their coin flip to the Kansas City Chiefs and as a result will be picking 12th in the first round.

This slideshow takes a look at what positions the Seahawks need to target in next month's NFL Draft.

Pass-Rusher

The most glaring weakness on the Seahawks roster right now is the lack of an impact pass-rusher.  For a Seahawks defense that exceeded expectations last season, getting to the quarterback was the only disappointing area, as the Seahawks tied for 19th in the NFL with 33 sacks on the season. 

Due to the disappointing pass-rush performance last season, it seems likely that the Seahawks will select at least one or two pass-rushing prospects.

Luckily for the Seahawks, the 2012 NFL Draft class features a strong crop of pass-rushers.  Starting at the top is North Carolina’s Quinton Coples, a 6’6”, 285-pound physical specimen that has drawn comparisons to another Tar Heel great, Julius Peppers. 

While the Seahawks would love to land Coples with the 12th overall pick, there is a strong possibility that a team picking ahead of the Seahawks will select Coples.

If that is the case, the Seahawks will still have the ability to select between intriguing pass-rushing prospects—South Carolina’s Melvin Ingram, USC’s Nick Perry, Illinois' Whitney Mercelius or Alabama's Courtney Upshaw.

Potential mid-round pass-rushing options like Boise State’s Tyrone Crawford or Tennessee’s Malik Jackson could also bolster the Seahawks anemic pass rush.

Quarterback

As previously alluded to, another position that the Seahawks could use an upgrade at is quarterback.  While Tarvaris Jackson did a decent job as the Seahawks starting quarterback in 2011, he didn’t exactly inspire visions of leading the Seahawks on deep playoff runs in future years.

Jackson could improve with a full offseason as the Seahawks QB, but if the Seahawks want to become a serious contender for the Lombardi trophy, they would be well served by pursuing an upgrade at the quarterback position.

With a strong group of free-agent quarterbacks led by Peyton Manning (if he is indeed released from the Colts) and Matt Flynn, the Seahawks could find their upgrade at QB prior to the draft. 

If the Seahawks don’t sign a free-agent QB, they could choose to select a potential successor to Jackson in the upcoming draft.  The Seahawks would likely jump at a chance to select either Andrew Luck or Robert Griffin III, but the chances of either being around by the time the Seahawks pick are minuscule.

Texas A&M’s Ryan Tannehill has been rising up draft boards in recent weeks and is a prospect that could warrant the Seahawks consideration in the first round.  That being said, Tannehill would be a reach with the 12th overall pick.  For this reason, picking a QB like Kirk Cousins or Brock Osweiler in the second round could make more sense for the Seahawks.

Linebacker

The free-agency status of starting linebackers David Hawthorne and LeRoy Hill could have the Seahawks selecting potential replacements for either or both in the draft.

With more pressing needs at defensive end and potentially quarterback, the Seahawks will likely wait until the mid-rounds to target linebacker prospects.  While the linebacker group in this year's draft isn’t particularly strong at the top, it does feature good depth, meaning the Seahawks could get good value picking a linebacker in the third or fourth round.

Potential options that the Seahawks could consider at linebacker are Emmanuel Acho of Texas, Audie Cole of North Carolina State or California’s Mychal Kendricks

Running Back

Despite general manager John Schneider’s guarantee that Marshawn Lynch will be a Seahawk in 2012, the Seahawks are likely to be in the market for a RB in the 2012 draft.

Assuming Lynch returns in 2012, the Seahawks need a quality backup that can spell Lynch throughout the course of the season.  Last year's backup running back, Justin Forsett, didn’t provide much in his limited opportunities and is also entering the free-agent market.   

Draft prospects like Cincinnati’s Isaiah Pead, Ronnie Hillman of San Diego State or Texas A&M’s Cyrus Gray are players that could bolster the Seahawks ground game in 2012.