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3 defensive players the Seahawks could target at Pick No. 12

travisduncan

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According to one NFL executive, at least half the teams in the Top 10 actually want to get out via trade, because beyond the Top 2 players (Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III and possibly WR Justin Blackmon) no others have been pegged as "sure things" in the NFL Draft.

In fact the experts predict that we'll see a lot of draft day trades, and that's not out of the realm of possibilities for the Seahawks.

Here are three defensive guys whose names come up quite a bit in connection with the 'Hawks.

Quinton Coples defensive end North Carolina

Coples is a guy who dominated college offensive linemen. He had 18 sacks in the last two seasons at UNC and might have had more if he hadn't been asked to move from end to tackle in 2011.

He obviously has the potential for high sacks in the NFL. But beware, says Mike Mayock of the NFL Network. Mayock says that of all of the high picks in the NFL draft, Coples has the highest bust potential.

Mayock said Wednesday, "If I'm a general manager I'm not taking him in the first round, and I might not take him in the second round."

Ironically others have said that if Coples, rated by most as the top rated DE in the draft, is still available at 12 then Pete Carroll and John Schneider got the steal of the draft.

But it could be the risk involved with Coples that makes him available, the Jaguars for instance have the doubts, reportedly about Coples. But the idea of drafting the next great NFL pass rusher who moves at 4.78 and 284 pounds, will be tempting for many teams.

Others have accused Coples of not going 100 percent at North Carolina and he was a part of NCAA investigations regarding agents and improper benefits at NCAA. That may scare off some GMs but not likely the Seahawks.

Coples is high risk, high reward.

Luke Kuechly linebacker Boston College

After parting ways with Leory Hill, and David Hawthorne signing with the Saints, the Seahawks are down to one linebacker who actually started last season, that being K.J. Wright who did very well in his rookie season. Why not add another young linebacker who can tag team with Wright for the next 5-10 years?

If Kuechly is still there at No. 12 I believe the Seahawks will draft him. If Kuechely is not there look for the Seahawks to try to nab a linebacker in rounds 2-4.

Melvin Ingram Defensive end South Carolina

Ingram is a guy who ranks up there with Coples as the other top defensive end in the draft. He is projected to go anywhere from No. 7 to Jacksonville to No. 18 to the Chargers.

Ingram perhaps is more of an edge pass rusher and "quicker" than Coples, and that may be more of what the Seahawks are looking for, having a gap plugger in Red Bryant already.

In short Ingram is versatile and can moved around. Pete Carroll probably likes that.

(There is at least one prominent draft analyst at ESPN who says the 'Hawks could possibly go with Notre Dame WR Michael Floyd if they can't get the defensive player they want, but it would stand to reason they are good at that position, or at the very least won't use a a high-pick on a WR)

Other News and Notes

The Seahawks have exercised their option on defensive tackle Clinton McDonald.

The 25-year old recorded 35 tackles in 2011. He played in 15 games with one start coming Week 12 against Washington. According to published reports he'll make a base salary of $540,000 next season. He'll be in the interior defensive linemen rotation along with Alan Branch, Brandon Mebane, and Jason Jones.

-The Seahawks most updated cap numbers reveal the team is $18.9 million under the cap, according to Jason LaCanfora at the NFL Network.

-The Seahawks are interested in free agent defensive tackle Aubrayo Franklin who visited the team this week.

Franklin spent last season with the New Orleans Saints, having spent the four prior seasons with the 49ers. He has spent nine seasons in the NFL.

-Adam Schefter of ESPN reports the Seahawks hosted running back Jacob Hester recently.
 

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