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2012 MHR Community Mock Draft: Seattle Seahawks Select Melvin Ingram, Outside Linebacker, South Carolina

By Sayre Bedinger
KNOXVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 29: Melvin Ingram #6 of the South Carolina Gamecocks celebrates during the game against the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on October 29, 2011 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 29: Melvin Ingram #6 of the South Carolina Gamecocks celebrates during the game against the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on October 29, 2011 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
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With the 12th pick in the 2012 MHR Community Mock Draft, the Seattle Seahawks select:

Melvin Ingram, Linebacker, South Carolina

GM: ACKW1227

GM Explanation: Pete Carroll stated that he wanted to address the pass rush this offseason. Re-signing Red Bryant and acquiring Jason Jones from the Titans were great offseason moves, but the Seahawks still need to find some help opposite of Chris Clemons who had 11 sacks last season. No one else had more than 4. According to most experts, Ingram is either the best or second best defensive end prospect in this year's draft. Luckily Quinton Coples was taken 7th overall by the Jaguars, so it makes this decision a lot easier. Ingram showed good quickness with a 4.79 40-yard dash at 264 pounds at the combine. He has a quick first step with good pass rushing technique. Ingram also displays run stopping ability as he can defeat single and double team blocks. The Seahawks may run some 3-4 plays, which Ingram can be moved outside as a rush linebacker as well.

Some may say the Seahawks have a bigger need at inside linebacker since their starting MLB last year David Hawthorne left for the Saints in free agency and its still unknown whether or not Leroy Hill will be re-signed. Luke Kuechly would help replace the loss of Hawthorne, as he is the best player available in my opinion. However, I believe there are other prospects who can fill the middle in the later rounds, but there aren't many defensive ends after the first round who can start week 1 for the Seahawks. Lacking in arm length (31 1/2") and only 6'1" tall, Ingram makes up for it with his high motor and great body control. The Seahawks will land a great player in Melvin Ingram at #12 if he manages to drop that far.

Commissioner's Analysis: This is a good pick for the Seahawks. Ingram is a really versatile pass rusher and a fantastic athlete. He doesn't have great size but he has solid length and knows how to get off blocks and play multiple positions. He was a defensive end and defensive tackle at South Carolina primarily, but he came to school as a linebacker and has shown his elite athletic ability by making plays with the ball in his hands and always being around when the ball flies free. I think for the Seahawks, he would fill a desperate need in the pass rush department.

Draft Recap:

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

2. Washington Redskins: Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

3. Minnesota Vikings: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

4. Cleveland Browns: Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

6. St. Louis Rams: Matt Kalil, OT, USC

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

8. Miami Dolphins: David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

9. Carolina Panthers: Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State

10. Buffalo Bills: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

11. Kansas City Chiefs: Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

12. Seattle Seahawks: Melvin Ingram, DE/OLB, South Carolina

On the clock...Arizona Cardinals (Rob Burson)

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