With the 12th overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, the Seattle Seahawks select Melvin Ingram, DE/LB, South Carolina.
The Seattle Seahawks seem to always be in need of a pass rusher, but somehow, their defense -- full of overachievers, castoffs and youngsters -- manages to come together nicely and not be a consistent detriment to the team.
With a new quarterback in the fold -- prized free agent Matt Flynn -- and some rising talent plus veteran Sidney Rice at wide receiver and of course, Marshawn "Beast Mode" Lynch running hard for his Skittles, the Seahawks offense looks to be on the upswing. The offensive line could use some help but not this early in the draft.
Linebacker and defensive line are the areas of biggest need for the Seahawks, and Melvin Ingram can play both. He's versatile enough to be a rush linebacker coming off the edge, or move inside to defensive tackle in situations.
The Seahawks could use the depth and youth, if nothing else. But they don't have a great success rate when it comes to drafting pass-rushing ends (see Lawrence Jackson, Baraka Atkins, Anton Palepoi).
The team also values versatility and Ingram does offer that in his skills set. He's a proven sack artist from his days at South Carolina and, having been recruited as a linebacker, shouldn't be as much of a liability when it comes to pass coverage.
Ingram appears to be a pretty safe pick for the Seahawks at No. 12. This was a top-10 defense in the NFL last season, but in the lower half of the league in sacks, so he can help.
The Arizona Cardinals are now on the clock. Jess Root will make the selection.
Previous picks:
1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford
2. Washington Redskins: Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor
3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT, USC
4. Cleveland Browns: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU
6. St. Louis Rams: Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State
7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa
8. Miami Dolphins: Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M
9. Carolina Panthers: Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina.
10. Buffalo Bills: Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College
11. Kansas City Chiefs: Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi