2012 NFL Draft: Why Seattle Seahawks Must Go Defense in Round 1

The 2012 NFL draft is quickly approaching and with the combine over it's time for teams to start sorting out potential players for next season.

At 7-9 in 2011, the Seattle Seahawks found themselves on the outside of the playoff picture. Despite the sub-.500 record, Seattle is just a few pieces away from contending in the NFC. 

It's well known that quarterback is the position of interest and need for the Seahawks going forward, but there are some other holes on the field that need to be filled.

Offensive line

Seattle's O-line allowed 50 sacks in 2011, fourth worst in the league. Granted, some injuries to key players such as Russell Okung, John Moffitt and James Carpenter were contributing factors, but a little more protection for their future quarterback is necessary.

While he Seahawks' defense was overlooked for much of the season, Gus Bradley's unit played well in most facets in 2011. Seattle ranked ninth in total yards given up, 11th against the pass, 15th best versus the run and seventh in total points against. The only glaring hole in the defense was the pass rush, as the Seahawks sacked opposing QBs just 33 times.

Given the circumstances, Seattle should definitely think defensively in round one of the draft.

Marshawn Lynch

Beast mode was finally re-signed, which means Seattle doesn't need to invest in a marquee rookie running back. Some of the details regarding Lynch's new contract haven't been made available to the public yet, but it's a multi-year deal worth $31 million, so my guess is three or four years. In a couple of years Seattle can re-visit the first-round running back idea, but for now Lynch is all it needs.

Leroy Hill

Linebacker Leroy Hill is one of two Seahawks players remaining from the 2005 NFC championship team (Marcus Trufant is the other), but because of his recent arrest for marijuana possession—added to the fact the seven-year vet is now a free agent—Hill may be playing elsewhere come next season. Another linebacker would greatly help Seattle's pass rush.

David Hawthorne

Hawthorne will be one of the biggest free-agent linebackers on the market, and if the Seahawks don't re-sign him they could be in trouble. He led the team in total tackles with 115 and added three interceptions. Hawthorne is 26 and about to hit his prime. He's almost as important to get back as Lynch, and with a weak linebacker corps other than the starters, Seattle should look to add some depth through the draft.

Logistics

There's no way the Seahawks are getting Andrew Luck or Robert Griffin III, and chances are someone better than Ryan Tannehill will be available at the 12th pick. North Carolina's Quinton Coples should still be there, and if Seattle's lucky it can scoop up 2011 Butkus Award winner Luke Kuechly from Boston College. Either one of those players could start right away and fill some aforementioned holes.

I don't see Seattle bringing back both Hawthorne and Hill, so Kuechly would be a steal in multiple ways. He set all kinds of NCAA records for tackles in just three seasons at BC and he's a heady players who has miles of potential.

Defensive end Coples would also help tremendously along the line. The average age among Seahawks defensive linemen is nearly 28, and Coples would bring some much-needed youth and energy in the trenches.

Dontari Poe and Courtney Upshaw will likely also still be there at pick No. 12, and either of them would help in the same ways as Kuechly and Coples.

Build on youth

The Seahawks have a young and talented team, and in a couple years—or even as soon as next season—they could field a premier team in the NFL. The team is better off drafting a defensive player rather than signing a veteran who will have two to three good years left.

One or two defenders, an offensive lineman and a quarterback, and the Seattle Seahawks are a scary team in the near future.