Seattle Seahawks Draft 2012: Round by Round Positional Needs

With the NFL Scouting Combine now complete, the Seattle Seahawks and general manager John Schneider will return to Seattle and adjust their big board to reflect what they observed this past week in Indianapolis. 

Despite last season's disappointing 7-9 record, the Seahawks enter the offseason with few pressing needs on the current roster.

At the top of the list for the Seahawks is acquiring an impact pass-rusher that can upgrade the Seahawks' pass-rush, which ranked tied for 19th in the league in sacks in 2011. On the offensive side of the ball, the Seahawks could use the draft to acquire competition for incumbent starting QB Tarvaris Jackson, who struggled with consistency in 2011.

This slideshow takes a look at which positions the Seahawks will target with their picks and players the Seahawks may select at those positions.

Round 1: Defensive End, Quinton Coples

With Robert Griffin III and Andrew Luck guaranteed to be off the board by the time the Seahawks are on the clock with the 12th overall pick, the Seahawks may be forced to go in a different direction than quarterback with their first-round pick.

If that is the case, the Seahawks would be well served to address the most glaring weakness on the current roster: pass-rusher.

The Seahawks' 2011 defense was the obvious strength of the team, as the Seahawks yielded only 19.7 points per game. That being said, the 2012 unit could become one of the elite units in the league with the addition of a pass-rusher that can upgrade the Seahawks' middling pass-rushing unit.

Widely heralded as the top-ranked defensive end prospect in the 2012 NFL Draft, Quinton Coples is a player that could make an instant contribution for the Seahawks in 2012.

Due to his current standing, a team picking before the Seahawks could select Coples, which would leave the Seahawks to pick between other talented pass-rushers like Nick Perry, Melvin Ingram or Courtney Upshaw.

Round 2: Quarterback, Brock Osweiler

General manager John Schneider confirmed last Friday what Seahawks fans have been speculating about since the season ended: The Seahawks will be in the market for a QB this offseason. While Jackson is still under contract for 2012, he didn’t show enough in 2011 to guarantee his starting status for next season.

If the Seahawks choose not to address the QB position in the free-agent market, they could target a QB in the earlier rounds of the NFL draft. With the options behind Luck and Griffin not warranting the Seahawks' first-round pick, a potential successor to Jackson could be selected in the second round.

Arizona State’s Brock Osweiler does come with risk—namely, limited experience as a starter—but he has shown enough upside to warrant selection in the second round of the draft. Gifted with a strong arm and surprising athleticism for his 6’6” frame, Osweiler could develop into a QB capable of leading the Seahawks on deep playoff runs in future years. 

Another name worth consideration is Kirk Cousins of Michigan State, who has been rising up draft boards based on his strong showing at the combine.

Round 3: Linebacker, Nigel Bradham

What the Seahawks choose to do in the middle rounds of the NFL draft will be largely predicated on what happens in free agency. For instance, if free-agent linebackers David Hawthorne and LeRoy Hill choose to sign elsewhere, the Seahawks will need to use the draft to select their replacements.

This year's NFL draft features a relatively deep crop of linebacker prospects, which means that the Seahawks could get a solid player in the third round. One such player that the Seahawks could target is Florida State’s Nigel Bradham.

In his senior season in Tallahassee, Bradham was a tackling machine, registering 145 tackles and eight sacks. On Monday, Bradham showed well at the combine by measuring in at 6’2”, 241 pounds and then running a solid 4.64 40-yard dash.

Round 4: Running Back, Ronnie Hillman

Even with it looking increasingly likely that the Seahawks will do whatever it takes to bring Marshawn Lynch back in 2012, the team still needs to add an additional RB to the roster.

To keep Lynch fresh throughout the season, they need to replace last year's backup RB Justin Forsett, who is also entering free agency. An investment of a fourth-round pick in a running back would solidify the Seahawks' ground game entering 2012. 

San Diego State’s Ronnie Hillman is a prospect that the Seahawks could target after he rushed for more than 1,500 yards in his two seasons as an Aztec. With home-run ability due to his speed (4.45 at the combine), Hillman would give the Seahawks a different look out of the backfield in 2012.

Round 6: Defensive End, Julian Miller

As a result of the Marshawn Lynch trade with the Buffalo Bills, the Seahawks don’t have a fifth-round pick in the 2012 draft.

Moving to the sixth round, the Seahawks could select another defensive end prospect like Julian Miller to further solidify the pass-rush. Miller, who played at West Virginia, was a three-year starter that rotated between defensive tackle and defensive end in the Mountaineers' 3-3-5 defensive scheme.

Despite a lingering ankle injury that caused his production to fall as a senior, Miller still showed flashes of becoming a disruptive pass-rusher, including a four-sack game in West Virginia’s victory over Pittsburgh.

Round 7: Offensive Guard, Mark Asper

Even with injuries hitting the group throughout the 2011 season, the Seahawks offensive line did a good job of controlling the line of scrimmage against opposing defenses. 

While most of the positions are two deep, a late-round selection could give offensive line coach Tom Cable further protection against injuries in 2012.

If the Seahawks choose to go with an offensive line selection late in the 2012 draft, one option is Oregon’s Mark Asper. Asper possesses good size—6’7”, 325 pounds—and would provide the Seahawks with versatility, as Asper played both guard and tackle with the Ducks.

Round 7: Free Safety, Blake Gideon

The Seahawks secondary in 2011 became one of the top defensive backfields in the NFL due to the emergence of cornerback Brandon Browner and the continued growth of Earl Thomas.  

Still, the Seahawks could select a DB in the 2012 draft as they need to address the backup free safety position and potentially add a cornerback. Selecting former Texas Longhorn Blake Gideon would address the void at free safety behind Earl Thomas.

At Texas, Gideon started every game during his collegiate career at free safety in addition to contributing on special teams.