Seattle Seahawks 2012 NFL Draft Preview, Mock Draft and Options by Round

NFL draft day 2012 is here and Seattle Seahawks fans, along with fans from 29 other NFL franchises, are eager to see what their teams are able to accomplish. Yes, there are 31 other teams, but it is hard to imagine much excitement coming from the New Orleans Saints or Oakland Raiders. 

Following is a summary of what fans should expect heading into the draft, including a mock pick for each selection.

Bleacher Report will also be providing live draft coverage for every team. Seattle Seahawks 2012 NFL Draft Picks: Grades, Results and Analysis will provide instant updates for every pick and move made by Seattle. Be sure to open it and follow the picks and possible trades.

The Seahawks enter the draft needing major help at defensive end. They need to find an edge rusher to platoon with Red Bryant and possibly replace Chris Clemons at the Leo end in the next few seasons.

Seattle also needs to considering upgrades to their linebacker corps. They are at least able to field a starting unit following some free agent additions, but it could use an enhancement or two. 

From there, Seattle will have the luxury to look for hidden gems and potential playmakers. This is when John Schneider is at his best...finding players with value at the spot when unencumbered by glaring holes.

Seattle's team needs:

• Defensive End/Pass-Rusher
• Linebacker, Inside or Out
• Offensive Playmakers
• Quarterback Depth
• Running Back Depth
• Offensive Line Depth
• Free Safety Depth

Round 1, No. 12: Trade to Pick No. 21 (Nick Perry, DE/OLB, USC)

Seattle has a lot of options to consider with this pick.

They could draft an elite pass-rusher, but that is risky with this class. There are questions with most of the top defensive ends in this draft. There is also a chance they look to add an elite linebacker prospect.

Some fans are hoping for David DeCastro here, but this is a bit high to take a guard. This would also be a bit of a luxury pick, as the Seahawks have several starting-caliber guards on the roster.

The direction I see the Seahawks going is to trade this pick and then look for help with their pass rush. A trade with the Cincinnati Bengals should net them picks Nos. 21 and 53, along with a fifth-round selection from the Bengals.

This trade relies on using the NFL Draft Value Chart. There is a fair amount of speculation that earlier draft picks will be given even more weight going forward, as the new rookie wage scale makes early picks more valuable.

Taking Perry with the 21st selection would give the Seahawks a needed bump in their pass rush. He could work at defensive end on passing downs and offer help at outside linebacker in run situations. 

He also has enough skill to drop back and cover a tight end or running back if needed.

Round 2, No. 43: Another Impact Defender (Andre Branch, DE/OLB, Clemson)

With the expectation that Seattle grabs either a defensive end or linebacker in the first round, this pick figures to be the other.

The Seahawks could look at Lavonte David, Bobby Wagner, Andre Branch or Shea McClellin. These four could all be taken at this point, so the Seahawks are likely to be flexible with this pick.

I'm a fan of Ronnell Lewis (Oklahoma), but this seems a bit early for him. Mychal Kendricks is another talented option, but he is a bit undersized.

Overall, Branch is just too tempting to pass up. Seattle needs a replacement for Chris Clemons in the next year or two in addition to an edge rusher. Adding Perry and Branch should give the Seahawks some elite talent on the defensive line and help solidify them as an elite unit.

They both can play on the line or back up and play outside linebacker in run situations. They'll be able to stuff the run and have the talent to drop into pass protection if needed.

If David or McClellin is still on the board, this pick could change.

Round 2, No. 53: Defender or Offensive Playmaker (Bobby Wagner, OLB, Utah State)

It is tempting to propose another trade with this pick, but the Seahawks need to make sure they can get a playmaker at linebacker. Bobby Wagner is just that.

Seattle would be well-served to get two quality DE/OLB combo players and a solid OLB prospect from their first two picks...and still have one more late-round option.

Round 3, No. 76: Offensive Playmaker (Chris Polk, RB, Washington)

There are many directions the Seahawks could go here, but look for them to add a playmaker on offense. This could be a wide receiver, tight end, running back or a backup quarterback.

Chris Polk has been available in several mock drafts, so while I think the Green Bay Packers will grab him in Round 2, I'll take license here and project him to the Seahawks.

Seattle could be looking for depth on the offensive line here, either at center or tackle. Dwayne Allen (TE, Clemson) could be available and make sense here, as could Nick Toon (WR, Wisconsin).

The Seahawks may also opt to trade down 10 spots or so and look to grab Brock Osweiler. But if Polk is on the board, he could be too tempting to pass up. He and Marshawn Lynch would become the best running back tandem in the NFL.

Round 4, No. 107: Quality Depth, Hidden Gem (Senio Kelemete, OT/G, Washington)

This is the point of the draft where the Seahawks scouts have had a few tricks up their sleeves since Pete Carroll and John Schneider took over.

They managed to find Pro Bowl strong safety Kam Chancellor in Round 5 and stud rookie linebacker K.J. Wright in the fourth round last season.

This year, Seattle could have a backup offensive lineman, quarterback, or defensive end in mind.

This could also be an ideal place for the Seahawks to make a move or two to acquire another pick in Round 6 or 7.

There are several players that could be available here to make an impact. Michael Egnew (TE, Missouri) has had a down season but could be a surprise in the NFL. Orson Charles (TE, Georgia) is also projected to go in the fourth round.

There are several mid-level offensive linemen that may fall to here, too. If Senio Kelemete isn't available, Lucas Nix (G, Pittsburgh) or Tony Bergstrom (OT/G, Utah) should be.

Kelemete would give Seattle options with James Carpenter. If he moves to guard, Kelemete would be an option at tackle. If Carpenter can beat out Kelemete at tackle, he becomes a starting option or depth at guard.

Round 5, No. 156: Quality Depth (Janzen Jackson, S, McNeese State)

With the trade in Round 1, the Seahawks are able to get back into the fifth round of the draft.

Seattle will be looking for value and quality depth at this point in the draft. Janzen Jackson would be just that.

Jackson would provide Earl Thomas with a solid backup while offering help in the bandit package and in special teams.

If they aren't able to draft a running back earlier, Terrance Ganaway could be an option here. 

Round 6, No. 171: Quality Depth (David Molk, C, Michigan)

This pick will depend on what areas of need the Seahawks have yet to address. They could be looking at a reserve running back here, or at a quarterback that might be able to challenge for starting reps or at least the backup role in 2013.

I'm still a fan of looking for a player that could possibly replace Chris Clemons in the next few seasons. Olivier Vernon needs to shed his baggage from the Miami pay-for-play scandal, but he is a prototypical Leo end.

But with two picks already spent at defensive end, the Seahawks will go a different direction here.

David Molk is rated as a Round 5 or Round 6 prospect. I struggled with grabbing Molk in Round 5, but felt Jackson added a bit more value.

A decision between Jackson and Molk will likely depend on how comfortable Tom Cable is with Lemuel Jeanpierre as Max Unger's backup. Molk is a no-brainer in Round 6 and could be the choice in the fifth round if Cable feels he needs an upgrade in the offensive line depth.

Round 7, No. 210: Lightning in a Bottle (Chris Owusu, WR, Stanford)

All bets are off with Seattle's final pick. They could be looking at a small change-of-pace back, a quarterback, a hidden gem on the offensive line or a wide receiver that happened to fall.

Some mocks have Chris Owusu falling to the seventh round or not even being drafted. If he happens to be there, Seattle simply has to take him and give him a shot at making the roster. He has had injury concerns but is a talented speedster that could be a playmaker in the NFL.

If Owusu is off the board, look for the Seahawks to look at quarterback or offensive line depth, depending on what they've done in earlier rounds.