Ranking Seattle Seahawks Draft Needs by Position

The Seattle Seahawks have seven needs they must address in the 2012 NFL Draft. While some are minor, there are a few that are crucial to their success next season. This article will detail those needs, as well as offer some solutions in free agency and the draft.

Given the team currently has just six draft picks, general manager John Schneider and head coach Pete Carroll certainly have some work to do.

Early in the 2012 free agency period, Bleacher Report featured an article on the Seattle Seahawks draft needs. Specifically, it focused on what steps they needed to take to avoid entering the 2012 NFL Draft with glaring holes that would tip their hand on what player or position they would be focusing on.

Schneider has been most successful when free to maneuver and draft players when they offer value, not just because they fill a need. That is what allowed the Green Bay Packers to take Aaron Rodgers in Round 1 and Matt Flynn in Round 7, even though they had established quarterbacks at the time. It also led to Seattle's pick of Earl Thomas during the 2010 draft.

Having flexibility in 2012 could mean trading down once or twice and drafting a player like Coby Fleener. Tight end isn't a "need" for the Seahawks, but adding someone with his potential could make a big impact on the offense. Adding a few more draft picks would allow them to fill other needs while making a "luxury" pick.

Seattle has ample salary cap room to make a little more noise in free agency, but as it currently stands, the Seahawks will have to address the following needs later this month.

6. Secondary Depth

Seattle has perhaps the best young secondary in the NFL. Three of their players were in the Pro Bowl, including safeties Earl Thomas and Kam Chancellor.

The one starter that missed the Pro Bowl, cornerback Richard Sherman, took over in Week 7 after injuries knocked out Marcus Trufant and Walter Thurmond. He played as well over the second half of the season as the other corner, Brandon Browner. 

After a slow start with numerous penalties and missed assignments, Browner found a comfort level with the position and showed he has the talent to be a disruptive presence in Seattle's hard-hitting defense.

Seattle could use to add a defensive back that can back up Thomas at free safety and be an extra defensive back in the Seahawks' pass-protect packages. Not a pressing need, so long as Thomas stays healthy, but something they will try to address.

Free Agency Options

O.J. Atogwe is actually a very good starter, but is still available on the free agent market. He will likely cost more than the Seahawks would want to pay, but as free agency progresses, his asking price may drop.

Draft Options

Janzen Jackson (McNeese State) is an option the Seahawks may consider late on day three, and Cliff Harris (Oregon) is a risk/reward player that could be on Seattle's radar.

5. Quarterback Depth

The Seahawks answered a major concern with the signing of free agent Matt Flynn. He'll compete with Tarvaris Jackson for the starting role, but he is expected to lead the offense in 2012 and beyond.

Jackson will be a free agent following the 2012 season, and as of yet there is no reason to believe the team feels Josh Portis will be able to step in as a starter.

Seattle will likely look to draft a quarterback that could challenge Flynn in the future and develop into a quality starter should Flynn fail to meet expectations.

Free Agent Options

At this point there are no viable options in free agency.

Draft Options

Brock Osweiler is certainly on Seattle's radar. While they might consider using a second-round pick on him, the more likely scenario is that he would be targeted with their pick in Round 3.

There are numerous quarterbacks the Seahawks would likely consider in rounds six and seven. Among those would be Russell Wilson, B. J. Coleman, Aaron Corp and Kellen Moore.

4. Offensive Line Depth

Seattle has been heavily suggesting that James Carpenter will be moving to guard this season. They signed Breno Giacomini to a two-year contract at low-level starting money. He performed well in that role the end of last season, and it looks like he is their plan at right tackle.

Carpenter and John Moffitt would be a solid pair of starters at the guard positions. Paul McQuistan and Frank Omiyale would be their backups. Yes, the addition of David DeCastro would provide a higher level of play, but it is tough to argue that the expected improvement over Moffitt or Carpenter is worth using a high first-round pick.

The depth at tackle is lacking. Allen Barbre is hardly a worthy option, indicating a need to add depth in the draft.

Free Agent Options

Demetrius Bell (Buffalo) is still available. He's a quality starter with injury issues. Barry Richardson (Kansas City) is a more likely target. He's not seen as a quality starter, but would be a very good reserve.

Draft Options

Jonathan Martin (Stanford) is a first round talent, but could be a reach at pick 12. More likely, the Seahawks will look to the middle rounds. Mitchell Schwartz (Cal) is graded as a second- or third-round talent, but was available in the fourth round of the Bleacher Report Featured Columnist draft. 

Zebrie Sanders (Florida State) is another big tackle prospect, and James Brown (Troy) could be an option on day three.

3. Running Back Depth

Seattle has secured their star offensive player, Marshawn Lynch, for the next four seasons. They also added Kregg Lumpkin to provide depth and a receiving target out of the backfield. Both are big, hard-hitting backs.

Seattle may look to add a contrasting running style—a speedy player that can keep opposing defenses honest and break a long run.

Free Agent Options

Currently, free agency is a bit thin. However, there could be players that come available as cap-strapped teams look to eliminate contracts.

Tim Hightower is one option. He's a good-sized back at 6'1", 222 pounds. He'll turn 26 years old next month and is expected to sign a one-year deal near the league minimum as he comes back from a torn ACL.

Draft Options

This draft is filled with fast, nimble backs, be it Chris Polk, Isaiah Pead or Cyrus Gray early, or Chris Rainey, Bobby Rainey, Ronnie Hillman or Davin Meggett later.

2. Defensive End

It seems as though I change my mind daily on Seattle's biggest draft need. Defensive end comes in second, though, as they simply must improve their pass-rush in 2012. 

The Seahawks were in a four-way tie for 19th in the NFL last season with 33.0 sacks. That isn't good enough for a defense that is looking to progress from top-10 to elite status.

They do have a few players on the roster that could rotate with Red Bryant on passing downs. Pep Levingston and Dexter Davis have potential to be NFL pass-rushers, but both missed the 2011 season with injuries. However, neither is a proven player.

Seattle needs to attempt to find an elite option...or at least a very good one.

Free Agent Options

The 2012 free agent defensive ends was a quality list. However, the Seahawks have watched quietly as most of the best pass-rushers have signed elsewhere. It could be that they have their mind set on drafting a specific player, or perhaps they prefer to spend salary cap dollars elsewhere.

If they want to soften the need prior to the draft, Dave Tollefson of the New York Giants is available. He had just 5.0 sacks in his first four seasons, but equaled that mark last season. This was while sharing time with the Giants' talented defensive linemen. His asking price may drop enough to make him a viable target.

Draft Options

The draft should give the Seahawks several opportunities to snag a good pass-rusher.

Quinton Coples (North Carolina) has drawn mixed reviews, as he didn't seem to give the same effort in 2011 that he offered in 2010. There should be plenty of motivation playing in the Seattle defense, and if he falls to them in Round 1, he'll be tempting. He has the potential to be similar to Julius Peppers, but he could also be the next Vernon Gholston.

Nick Perry is a safer option, and knows the position well. He was recruited by Carroll to play the Elephant slot at USC. He's fast and strong and offers solid value in the middle of Round 1. Seattle could even take him with the 12th pick, but he would make more sense after trading down.

The second round of the draft could offer players like Andre Branch (Clemson), Jared Crick (Nebraska) and Vinny Curry (Marshall). Olivier Vernon is a player that was available in Round 6 of the Bleacher Report draft and offers a lot of value in that slot.

1. Two Starting Linebackers

Whether seen as "1" or "1A" and "1B" the Seahawks need to work on the linebacker corps.

The linebacker positions have been an issue for Seattle the last three seasons, as they've struggled to keep starters healthy. They have an opportunity to upgrade the unit this offseason, as two starters are free agents and the draft is thick with options.

Seattle's leading tackler over the last three season, inside linebacker David Hawthorne, is languishing on the free-agent market. The more time he spends unsigned, the greater the possibility that he ends up returning to Seattle.

Leroy Hill has had issues staying out of trouble off the field and staying healthy during the season. However, it looked as though he had turned a corner. He played well in 2011 and in all 16 games.

Hill was just a few days away from free agency and a chance to sign a large contract when he was arrested for possession of marijuana. His drug test came back negative and charges weren't filed, but the lack of attention for his services could certainly be related.

The returning starter, K.J. Wright has the ability to play either outside backer positions or in the middle. Carroll would prefer to keep him outside, though, telling the Tacoma News Tribune:

"

We’ll have to wait and see what happens. We’ve got some free agency issues that we’re dealing with right now, and he gives us some flexibility, so we’ll just have to wait it out. 

If I had my way I’d let him play where he finished up outside. I think he has the versatility to do that, and it gives us the opportunity to move him around and to pressure him, and to drop him out under coverage and also do some things inside at times with the way we move our defense that you can take advantage of all that.

"

Carroll also said he'd like to get fast at the linebacker position, which could be why both of their free agents are still unsigned.

Filling these positions is a major need, and a tremendous opportunity to upgrade their defense.

Free Agent Options

The talent pool at middle linebacker was very strong, and signings at linebacker in general were very slow this offseason. That has changed over the last two weeks, though, and most of the top talent has been signed.

Hill and Hawthorne are two of the better options left on the market, and the Seahawks still could sign one of them to fill a roster hole.

Larry Grant is a restricted free agent from the San Francisco 49ers, but was given just a seventh-round tender by his team. This makes him a viable option for the Seahawks, but they traded away that pick for Tyler Polumbus. They will have to wait until April 24th to offer him a contract, as that would trigger the compensation coming from the 2013 draft, not 2012.

Jonathan Goff is also available. He was injured last season, but was a solid starter for the New York Giants in 2010. There are several other options in the middle.

Outside options have thinned, but Rocky McIntosh is a player that could benefit from a move to a 4-3 defense. He's a 29-year-old free agent that has been with the Washington Redskins.

Draft Options

Seattle could be active early in the draft at inside linebacker. Luke Kuechly (Boston College) is an option in Round 1, and Mychal Kendricks (Cal) could be available with their pick in Round 2. Chris Galippo (USC) might be an option with their sixth-round pick, but could easily be drafted before that.

Outside options are also attractive. Lavonte David (Nebraska) is an instinctive, fast linebacker that always seems to know where the ball carrier is headed. He is a second-round prospect, as is Bobby Wagner, a speedy linebacker from Utah State. Nigel Bradham (Florida State) is a promising talent that should be available in Round 4.