Seattle Seahawks 2012 Mock Draft: What Experts Around the Web Are Saying

NFL mock draft season is officially underway, marked by the completion of the NFL Combine.

While mock drafts are certainly entertaining, they don't hold a ton of value, particularly before free agency gets underway.

For example, there are several teams with defined needs at quarterback. Mock drafts will project picks based on that need, but free agency will change the fortunes for at least two teams, possibly changing the top of the draft.

Several of the top-talent experts don't mock as much on team needs as they do on overall fit until after free agency gets underway.

Based on some of the selections for the Seattle Seahawks, fans can only hope a few draft analysts haven't taken a hard look at the their roster. If so, someone has a lot of work to do.

Round 1: Filling Perceived Need

Rob Rang, CBS: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

Mel Kiper, ESPN: Melvin Ingram, DE , South Carolina

Todd McShay, ESPN: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

Matt Miller, B/R: Lamar Miller, RB, Miami (FL)

Dane Brugler, CBS: Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M

Pat Kirwin, CBS: Luke Kuechly, ILB, Boston College

Pete Prisco, CBS: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

Clark Judge, CBS: Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M

Will Brinson, CBS: David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

Albert Breer, NFL Network: Luke Kuechly, ILB, Boston College

Bucky Brooks, NFL.com: Luke Kuechly, ILB, Boston College

Chad Rueter, NFL Network: Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M

Scott Wright, Draft Countdown: Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M

Walter Cherepinsky, Walter Football: Melvin Ingram, DE , South Carolina

Charlie Campbell, Walter Football: Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina

With the exception of a misguided pick on another offensive lineman, the first-round picks for the Seahawks focus on improving the offensive skill positions or the defensive front seven. The majority of the picks are on a quarterback or a defensive end, with a few picks at linebacker.

Prisco sums up his decision to mock Floyd to Seattle: "They have to improve the outside passing game. Floyd can help make that happen."

While I don't doubt Floyd's ability in the NFL, wide receiver isn't the reason Seattle's passing game has struggled. The team needs a quarterback, but a first-round pick on Tannehill doesn't seem likely.

John Schneider has been fairly clear that they won't take a quarterback earlier than where they have him graded. It is unlikely Seattle equated Tannehill to a top-12 pick.

Miller openly covers the expected objection from Seahawks fans about their need at running back.

"Seattle fans, feel free to copy and paste this comment, I pre-wrote it for you.

'SEATTLE DOESN'T NEED A RUNNING BACK!!!!!!'"

To be fair, this mock was completed prior to their re-signing Marshawn Lynch. But Seattle does need a running back. They just don't need one in the first round, and they especially don't need a potential second-round option at pick 12.

I actually expect the Seahawks to attempt to trade down in the first round. There are a number of players that will be available in the 20s that would be great fits at linebacker and defensive end. Adding additional draft picks, particularly a first-round selection in 2013, would do more to help this franchise than reaching on a QB, RB or LB at pick 12.

Round 2: Quarterback

Matt Miller: Brandon Weeden, QB, Oklahoma State 

Walter Football: Kirk Cousins, QB, Michigan State

WF-Charlie Campbell: Brandon Thompson, DT, Clemson

I wouldn't be surprised to see the Seahawks take a quarterback in the second round, but I would be a bit shocked to see that person be Brandon Weeden. He is a talented passer, but figures to have a third-round grade.

The same may be true for Cousins, but he is at least a feasible option here. The quarterback I have with good value in Round 2 is Brock Osweiler. He could be available and would be a solid value with pick 43.

Campbell explains his pick of Thompson with, "The Seahawks need to upgrade their interior defensive line, and Thompson is a quality value in round two." 

While the value may be there, the need simply isn't. The Seahawks could certainly use a little more pass-rush from the interior of their line, but the team is not lacking talent in the middle.

A different option on the line would be defensive end Jared Crick (Nebraska). He can also work inside, giving him the versatility Carroll embraces.

I see the Seahawks looking for one of several linebackers here. Lavonte David (Nebraska) would bring skilled tackling and cover skills. He is a fast weak-side option that could also play the Sam position.

Round 3: Brandon Weeden, QB, Oklahoma State

Matt Miller: Keenan Robinson, OLB, Texas

Walter Football: Jerel Worthy, DT, Michigan State 

WF-Charlie Campbell: Brandon Weeden, QB, Oklahoma State

It is difficult to dislike any of these selections. Chris Polk could also be on the board at this point, which would cause for quite the dilemma. 

If Worthy falls to the third round, his value would be very difficult to pass up. The same can be said of Polk, while Weeden fills an important need and might not last until the fourth round.

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The Seahawks finished in the bottom 10 in sacks. A lacking pass rush, both on the exterior and interior, is their greatest issue, outside of the quarterback position. 

Jerel Worthy was once considered a top-10 prospect. In fact, he was slotted at No. 9 to the Broncos in the second edition of my 2012 NFL Mock Draft. However, he's coming off a down year and looked sluggish at the Combine. That's why he's fallen to Round 3.

Walter Cherepinsky

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Seattle could wait and see if Weeden or even Russell Wilson are available in Round 4 and grab Crick or Polk in Round 3. Crick looked dominating prior to his pec injury suffered against the Washington Huskies, and I really don't expect him to be available in the third round.

This would be a very difficult selection, but is a problem I'm sure the Seahawks would welcome.

Round 4: Filling a Need

Matt Miller: Tyrone Crawford, DE, Boise State

Walter Football: Vontaze Burfict, ILB, Arizona State

WF-Charlie Campbell: Bernard Pierce, RB, Temple  

The Seahawks will enter free agency with several pressing needs. They will likely have two starting linebacker positions open, will need to sign at least one defensive end and will need to look for an upgrade and the future at the quarterback position. They will also need a change-of-pace runner.

Round 4 is where the Seahawks will look to fill in their remaining gaps.

This still may be a bit high for Burfict. He simply doesn't have the speed or instincts to run Seattle's defense.

Pierce is a solid runner with good size and decent speed. He wouldn't be so much a change-of-pace back as a complementary runner that can spell Marshawn Lynch. However, I see Robert Turbing (Utah State) or Ronnie Hillman (San Diego State) as better fits in Seattle.