2012 NFL Draft: Why Seattle Seahawks Should Resist Urge to Trade Down in Draft

The Seattle Seahawks have the No. 12 pick in the 2012 NFL draft and are entertaining the possibility of trading down, but they should stay put and take the best defensive player available. 

The Seahawks need help at defensive end and linebacker, and they are said to be enamored with Alabama's Dont'a Hightower. Hightower will be available much later in the first round, so Seattle is looking at possibly moving down to take him. 

Seattle should forget trading down. Yes, stockpiling picks is always an attractive option, but there is a ton of talent at the top of this year's draft—the Seahawks should take advantage of it. 

At No. 12, Pete Carroll and company should be able to get a top-tier pass rusher to add to their defensive line. Guys like Melvin Ingram, Quinton Coples, Courtney Upshaw and Nick Perry could all be available depending on how things shake out over the first 11 picks. 

The Seahawks had just 33 sacks in 2011, which ranked 19th in the NFL. They need to get better in that area. I really can't see a more pressing need on the roster. Eleven of those sacks came from Chris Clemons, which means the rest of the team is sorely lacking in pass rushing ability.

Red Bryant is solid and the team added Jason Jones from Tennessee to play defensive tackle. Jones can switch to defensive end on passing downs, but that shouldn't deter them from taking a young defensive player who can pressure the quarterback. 

If the Seahawks drop back further in the first round, they could miss out on getting one of the top pass rushers in this year's draft. In addition to that, they may not even get Hightower, depending on how far they drop. His stock has been rising over the past couple of weeks, and the Pittsburgh Steelers are known to have interest. 

Seattle had a tough year in 2011 and one of the big reasons was the team's lack of a pass rush. That need has to be addressed early in this year's draft.