Utah St running back Robert Turbin runs in a touchdown during the first quarter of the NCAA college football game against Hawaii, Saturday, Nov. 7, 2009 in Honolulu.

A closer look at fourth-round draft choice Robert Turbin:

Pick: No. 11 in the round, No. 106 overall.

Pertinent information: 5 feet 10, 222 pounds. … Was the WAC player of the year last season, when he ran for 1,517 yards and set school single-season records for rushing touchdowns (19) and total TDs (23). … Sat out the 2010 season after tearing the ACL in his right knee during a January conditioning program. … Played at Irvington High School in Fremont, Calif., where he was Oakland Section Defensive Player of the Year in 2006 on a 2-7-1 team and also lettered in basketball and track. … Born Dec. 2, 1989 in Oakland, Calif.

What he brings: The physical style the Seahawks were looking for to complement and spell leading rusher Marshawn Lynch. When Lynch could not play against the Bengals last season because of back spasms, the Seahawks scored three points and rushed for 65 yards in a three-point loss to the Bengals.

Where he fits: See above, as Turbin steps into a mix that already includes Lynch and counterpunch runner Leon Washington.

What they’re saying: “Turbin demonstrated future NFL-caliber talent in rushing for 499 yards and a team-leading eight touchdowns as a redshirt freshman in 2008. He caught the attention of NFL scouts a year later with an eye-popping 18 touchdowns and 1,296 rushing yards in just 11 starts.” – NFLDraftScout.com

What he’s saying: “I’m a balanced back. What I mean by that is that I can do a little bit of everything, not only running the ball inside, but I can run the ball outside, and catch the ball out of the backfield, and line up at receiver at times and run intermediate routes from the slot position, maybe from the outside if I’m asked to. I can do special teams. Pretty much whatever I am asked to do. My skill set is pretty board and wide, so I’m able to do a lot of different things on the football field.”

The Seahawks just selected Florida defensive tackle Jaye Howard with their second pick in the fourth round of the NFL Draft.

The 6-foot-3, 301-pound Howard was a team captain last season, when he had 65 tackles and 5.5 sacks. He is considered a nose tackle, and the Seahawks were looking for someone to compete for the backup spot to Brandon Mebane – who led all NFC interior linemen in tackles last season.

The Seahawks just selected Utah State linebacker Bobby Wagner in the second round of the NFL Draft.

The selection was made with the 15^th pick in the round (47^th overall) rather than the 11^th after the Seahawks traded down with the Jets. The Seahawks added two more picks in the deal – one in the fifth round and one in the seventh round.

The scenario was similar to the first round on Thursday night, when the Seahawks also traded back and added two picks but still got a player they were targeting.

Wagner, 6-foot, 241, was a productive four-year starter at inside linebacker at Utah State. He brings needed depth at the position for the Seahawks.

The Seahawks traded their second-round pick in the NFL Draft to the Jets.

In exchange, the Seahawks move from 43 to 47 in the round, and also pickup the Jets’ picks in the fifth round (154 overall) and seventh round (232^nd). The Seahawks did not have a fifth-round pick because of the trade for Marshawn Lynch in 2010.

Jeff Sinchak isn’t sure who the Seahawks will take with their own pick in the fourth round of the NFL Draft on Saturday, but the retired Navy diver knows who will announce that selection at Radio City Music Hall in New York City.

It will be him.

Sinchak, 45 and a Seahawks season-ticket holder, was selected for the honor after submitting an essay and emerging from the process as the wounded vet who will announce the team’s pick – it’s uncertain whether he’ll also announce the fourth-round pick the Seahawks got in a trade with the Eagles last night.

“It’s all good, and we’re excited for it,” Sinchak said today, just after he landed at the Newark airport.

We? Sinchak also is packing his own draft guide – 16-year-old son Dakota, a football player and senior-to-be at Oak Harbor High School.

“We’re both obviously diehard football fans,” Sinchak said. “For him to be a young athlete and be part of this, and never having been to New York before, he is just a little overwhelmed.

“So it’s way cool.”

Back to the selection process – Sinchak’s, not the Seahawks’ – he is obviously honored. Not to mention pumped.

“From what I was told, there were quite a few entries,” he said. “Just by the nature of the write-up and what I had to say about being a season-ticket holder and a combat-wounded veteran, obviously it percolated because here we are.”

Sinchak retired in 2007 because of injuries after 24 years as a Navy diver. He had served in Operation Southern Watch (1993-94), Operation Restore Hope (1994-95) and Operation Iraqi Freedom (2003-04). Sinchak now works for the Wounded Warrior Project and manages the organization’s alumni group.

By trading down three spots in the first round of the NFL Draft tonight, the Seahawks picked up two more choices.

In the deal with the Eagles that moved the Seahawks from No. 12 to No. 15 in the first round – where they selected West Virginia defensive end Bruce Irvin – they also got Philadelphia’s picks in the fourth round (No. 114 overall) and sixth round (No. 172 overall).

The Seahawks now have seven picks in the remaining six rounds – one each in the second and third rounds, which will be conducted Friday; as well as two in the fourth round, two in the sixth round and one in the seventh round, which will be held Saturday.

The Seahawks-Eagles deal was just one of eight trades made in the first round.

Other teams’ interest in Mark Barron could be the best thing that happens to the Seahawks in tonight’s first round of the NFL Draft.

According to reports, the Patriots and Lions might be interested in trading up to select the Alabama safety. The Patriots hold the 27^th and 31^st picks in the first round, while the Lions are sitting No. 23. That’s too late for Barron.

But with the 12^th pick, which is held by the Seahawks? If Barron is still available when the Seahawks are “on the clock,” the phones in their draft room could start ringing.

Albert Breer at NFL.com is reporting that the Patriots already have reached out to the Seahawks about just such a scenario.

ESPN’s John Clayton reported this morning that the Lions also would like to trade into position to draft Barron, and would have to move up at least 10 spots to do it.

Seahawks GM John Schneider has said that he’s open to trading down, if the two players the Seahawks could select with the acquired picks would be a better deal than taking the one they would let get away at No. 12. The Seahawks currently hold six picks in the seven-round draft that continues tomorrow and concludes on Saturday.

It’s difficult to know what to believe at this point, but if those teams really are that interested in Barron it could benefit the Seahawks before the night is over.

The opinions and analysis contained in this feature are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the thoughts and opinions of the Seahawks’ coaching staff and personnel department.

At the NFL Scouting Combine in February, Mark Barron was considered the best prospect in a weak group of safeties and projected to be a mid-first round pick in the NFL Draft.

This week, there was a report that the San Diego Chargers are interested in trading up from the 18^th pick in Thursday’s first round to take the Alabama strong safety. And NFL Network analyst Charlie Casserly has Barron listed as the seventh-best player in the draft – behind only the QB duo of Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III, who are expect to go 1-2 to the Indianapolis Colts and Washington Redskins; tackle Matt Kalil, running back Trent Richardson, cornerback Morris Claiborne and receiver Justin Blackmon.

“The message here is crystal clear: A lot of teams are very interested in selecting Barron high in Round 1,” wrote Casserly, the former general manager of the Washington Redskins and Houston Texans. “Why is there all this interest? To put it simply, Barron is one of the best players in his draft.”

But it’s never that simple, so Casserly added, “In scouting the draft, you compare prospects to previous players taken in a round to decide what value to put on them. This is how I arrive at my thinking: Mark Barron is worth a Top-10 pick.”

That’s saying a lot, and here’s a sampling of what Barron had to say during his Q&A session with reporters at the combine:

Q: What’s better, a hard hit or an interception?

A: “I like making plays, period. I would say the interception because that’s more of a game-changer. That affects the game more. I like hitting and making interceptions.”

Q: Will playing in a complex defense at Alabama help you with NFL defenses?

A: “Most definitely. That’s something I knew when I first went to ’Bama is we had a complex defense and an NFL-type scheme. Going into it, I knew it was going to prepare me for the next level. Actually, that was one of the reasons why I wanted to go to Alabama. I feel like that has prepared me of the next level.”

Q: You won state titles in high school in the high jump, triple jump, shot put and discus. What was that all about?

A: “I’ve always been able to do a lot of different things. I’m usually good with whatever I put my mind to. Yeah, that’s something I take pride in. In the shot put, there are a lot of big guys and I was always the smallest one and I used to go out there and beat all of them. That was kind of funny.”

Q: How do you feel about the NFL levying fines for aggressive play, especially in the secondary?

A: “Honestly, I don’t like them because of the way I’ve been taught to play the game. I hit hard. I guess I’ll have to make some adjustments. Hopefully, I’ll be able to make them. I’m not sure if I will because that the way I was taught to play the game. I guess we’ll see what happens.”

Q: Safeties aren’t traditionally drafted that high. What are your thoughts on that?

A: “I feel like it very hard for us safeties to get in the first round, so I think that shows you that the position of safety is being undervalued. If a guy is a good player, then he’s a good player. I don’t see why, position-wise, if you have a better player that’s a safety and then you have a corner that might not be a better football player, I don’t see why the corner should go ahead of the safety. I’ve seen it happen. I just don’t understand it.”

The opinions and analysis contained in this feature are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the thoughts and opinions of the Seahawks’ coaching staff and personnel department.

A look at the positions heading into the April 26-28 draft:

Best of the bunch

Player, school                                      Ht.    Wt.    Projection

CB Morris Claiborne, LSU                 5-11   188   Top 5-10 pick

SS Mark Barron, Alabama                 6-1    213   Top 10-15 pick

CB Stephon Gilmore, So. Carolina   6-1    190   Middle of first round

CB Dre Kirkpatrick, Alabama            6-2    186   Middle of first round

SS Harrison Smith, Notre Dame       6-2    213   Late first, early second round

(Rankings and projections by Rob Rang, senior analyst for NFLDraftScout.com)

What it all means: In what is becoming a passing league, teams need to find cornerbacks and safeties who can cover all those bigger, faster receivers that are being targeted by the prolific passers – including the tight ends and slot receivers. Coverage skills remain at a premium and teams also are looking for bigger, more physical corners. As former NFL coach turned ESPN analyst Jon Gruden put it, “You’d better take as many skill cover guys as you can find, whether they’re safeties, big corners, small corners. You’d better get people that can cover and tackle in one-on-one situations.”

What about: Gilmore. He has become one of the fastest-rising prospects in this draft class, for obvious reasons. “He’s skyrocketed because he’s a good football player and he’s a great kid,” ESPN analyst Mel Kier Jr. said. “When you’re smart, when you’re competitive and as intense a competitor as he is, your character his high, there are no red flags, you’re 6-foot (plus), you ran a great 40 (4.4), you played well … the bottom line is, he could go in the Top 10.”

Don’t forget about: George Iloka. The Boise State free safety is Rang’s top-rated player at the position. And why not? Iloka has size (6-4, 225) and long arms (34 inches). He also played receiver in high school, just like the Seahawks’ Richard Sherman, and even moved to cornerback late last season after Jamar Taylor was injured. Rang projects Iloka (it’s Eye-LOKE-uh) as a second- or third-round pick.

Seahawks situation: Look at the transformation in the team’s secondary the past two years. The 2010 draft delivered free safety Earl Thomas in the first round and strong safety Kam Chancellor in the fifth – and each played in the Pro Bowl after last season. The 2011 draft brought Sherman, the long-limbed cornerback, in the fifth round; while CFL refugee Brandon Browner – all 6 feet 4 of him – started opposite Sherman and also went to the Pro Bowl in his first season in the NFL. Veteran corners Marcus Trufant and Roy Lewis are back and promising third-year corner Walter Thurmond will be at some point after completing the rehab on his latest injury. It’s an imposing group, but as Gruden said, you can never have enough skilled cover guys.

Have you heard, the first round of the NFL Draft is tomorrow?

There’s no questioning that fact when you start looking at the avalanche of new mock drafts out today and also yesterday. Here’s a sampling of 12 mocks, and they project five different players to the Seahawks with the 12^th pick in tomorrow’s first round: Melvin Ingram (four), Quinton Coples (three), Chandler Jones (two), Dontari Poe (two) and David DeCastro (one).

That’s 11 defensive players (Ingram, Coples, Jones and Poe) and an offensive guard (DeCastro).

Here’s what everyone has to say, and who they picked:

Mike Mayock at the NFL Network: Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina. His analysis will be provided on the network’s pre-draft show at 5 p.m.

Don Banks at SI.com: Melvin Ingram, OLB, South Carolina. “The pass rush and linebacking help is where the need is the greatest in Seattle, and Ingram would address and upgrade both areas. But I could also see Seattle vacating this slot, trading down with a team eager to come up to get Michael Floyd, Michael Brockers or Mark Barron.”

Scouts Inc. at ESPN.com has a seven-round mock. It’s an Insider feature, so requires a fee. But here are their picks for the Seahawks:

First round: Chandler Jones, DE, Syracuse

Second round: Lavonte David, OLB, Nebraska

Third round: Brandon Brooks, OG, Miami (Ohio)

Fourth round: Nick Toon, WR, Wisconsin

Sixth round: Eddie Pleasant, S, Oregon

Seventh round: Najee Goode, ILB, West Virginia

Mel Kiper Jr., also at ESPN.com and also an Insider feature: Jones. “The Seahawks need a pass-rusher, and I really like the fit. Pete Carroll can use a player with Jones’ length and athleticism in a “Leo” role, and create an added dimension to the rush. The Seahawks will have built a pretty formidable defense if they can add a final piece or two up front. Jones makes sense here.”

Pete Prisco at CBSSports.com (yesterday): Coples. “He can play outside, but also move inside on third down.”

Clark Judge at CBSSports.com (yesterday): Ingram. “One of the top pass rushers on the board. Pete Carroll won’t be able to resist.”

Will Brinson at CBSSports.com (yesterday): Ingram. “Pete Carroll considers Quinton Coples here, but Ingram gives him all kinds of versatility as a pass rusher who can line up in nearly any position and get after the quarterback.”

Charley Casserly at NFL.com: Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis: “Pete Carroll will love his size and speed.”

Mike Lombardi at NFL.com: Coples. “Too big, too fast, too perfect for the Seahawks’ front.”

Charles Davis at NFL.com (yesterday): Poe. “Vast potential, meet Pete Carroll and his boundless enthusiasm, optimism and coaching acumen. If this physical freak reaches his ceiling … look out.”

Mike Tanier of Shutdown Corner at YahooSports.com: David DeCastro, OG, Stanford. “The Seahawks have invested heavily in offensive linemen in free agency, but when you come home from the grocery story with Deuce Lutui and Frank Omiyale in your bag, it is time to head to the farmer’s market in search of something fresh. DeCastro, James Carpenter (if he returns from an ACL injury) and Russell Okung could form the nucleus of an excellent young offensive line.”

Peter Schrager at FoxSports.com also a seven-rounder: Ingram. “I look at Melvin Ingram and see the next Aldon Smith. That’s a good thing. In Pete Carroll’s 4-3, Ingram can line up at either OLB or defensive end and rush the quarterback. He was the star of Senior Bowl week down in Mobile and has impressed scouts in workouts and interviews. He’s a smart kid who can get to the quarterback. Great fit for Seattle.”

Second round: Amini Silatolu, OG, Midwestern State

Third round: James Michael-Johnson, LB, Nevada

Fourth round: Keenan Robinson, LB Texas

Sixth round: Matt Reynolds, OT, BYU

Seventh round: Kellen Moore, QB, Boise State

Pro Football Weekly correspondent mock: Ingram. “The Seahawks can go several ways with this pick because of what they’ve been able to accomplish in free agency. But the one “need” item left on Pete Carroll’s list is improving the edge pass rush and adding depth at linebacker. Ingram could scratch both itches, complementing sack leader Chris Clemons in the nickel and eventually replacing him at the “Leo” spot in Carroll’s defense.”

The opinions and analysis contained in this feature are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the thoughts and opinions of the Seahawks’ coaching staff and personnel department.

A look at the position heading into the April 26-28 draft:

Best of the bunch

Player, school                                         Ht.   Wt.   Projection

OLB Melvin Ingram, South Carolina   6-1   264   Top 15 pick

ILB Luke Kuechly, Boston College       6-3   242   Top 15 pick

OLB Whitney Mercilus, Illinois            6-4   261   Mid-to-late first round

OLB Shea McClellin, Boise State         6-3   260   Mid-to-late first round

ILB Dont’a Hightower, Alabama         6-2   265   Late first, early second round

(Rankings and projections by Rob Rang, senior analyst for NFLDraftScout.com)

What it all means: If it’s a linebacker you want – or need – this draft class has them in a variety of sizes, styles and skill sets. It starts with Kuechly, who is considered the best inside/middle linebacker prospect in years. It includes where-to-play-them pass rushers like Ingram and McClellin, who played just about everywhere at South Carolina and Boise State. It features Mercilus, one of several players who enter this draft after only one productive season. Then there’s Hightower, who has blitz ability despite his run-stuffer size.

What about: Zach Brown. The North Carolina outside ’backer began the draft season ranked among the best at the position, in large part because of his speed (4.50 seconds in the 40-yard dash at the combine; 4.48 at his Pro Day workout). But he has slid to later-round status in recent weeks. “I’m not as impressed with Zach Brown as most of the league is,” said NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock, who labels Brown’s sliding stock “one of my hot buttons.” Added Mayock, “You rarely see a linebacker that’s faster than most of the corners in a draft. So from a height, weight, speed perceptive, he’s a first-round pick. When you watch the tape, he makes a lot of plays. But they are almost all in space.” So what’s not to like? “Any time a big body gets on him, actually any time anybody gets on him, his feet stop and he’s not physical at all,” Mayock said. “He’s a run-and-chase linebacker that’s going to make plays with his speed. But I think he’s going to get enveloped by anybody.”

Don’t forget about: Vontaze Burfict. That’s the problem with the playmaking inside ‘backer from Arizona State – too many seem to be forgetting about him. Once considered a second- or third-round pick, Burfict could go undrafted following a 2011 season that featured more regrettable penalties than memorable plays. “I think you look at Vontaze Burfict as a guy that has probably dropped as much in this draft in terms of his rating as probably any prospect in recent times in terms of going from an early-rounder to being talked about now as a sixth-, seventh-rounder or undrafted free agent,” ESPN analyst Mel Kiper Jr. said. “In an inside linebacker group that frankly is very poor, very weak.”

Seahawks situation: Once the priciest position on the team when Julian Peterson, Lofa Tatupu and Leroy Hill were manning the second level from 2006-08. Only Hill is still around, and he just re-upped on a one-year deal. The Seahawks “found” the versatile K.J. Wright in the fourth round of the draft last year, but just lost leading tackler and middle linebacker David Hawthorne in free agency. So they have a mix of youth – Wright, Malcolm Smith and Mike Morgan; and veterans on one-year contracts – Hill, Barrett Ruud and Matt McCoy. It has caused some to wonder how much the Seahawks value the position. “No, that’s not our philosophy,” GM John Schneider said when asked if the club undervalued linebackers. “We value that position as highly as all other positions.” And the Seahawks need to add to the depth and talent level at the position in his draft.

The opinions and analysis contained in this feature are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the thoughts and opinions of the Seahawks’ coaching staff and personnel department.

A middle linebacker going in the Top 10 of the NFL Draft? And one from Boston College, at that?

It could happen on Thursday night, when the first round will be conducted and Luke Kuechly is expected to be one of the first linebackers – and players – selected.

“There’s no question he will be a good football player in the NFL,” said Bill Polian, the former GM of the Indianapolis Colts and Buffalo Bills and now an analyst for ESPN. “He has exceptional instincts and exceptional speed.”

You notice that Polian didn’t include the expected “for a middle linebacker” tag.

That’s because the 6-foot-3, 242-pound Kuechly put up some staggering statistics at BC: 10-plus tackles in 33 consecutive games, an NCAA record; an average of 14.0 tackles for his career, another NCAA record; an average of 15.9 tackles as a junior, the NCAA single-season mark; and the only player in ACC history to lead the league in tackles three times.

Kuechly also talks a pretty game, as he displayed during his Q&A session with the media at NFL Scouting Combine:

Q: You have heard the comparisons to Zach Thomas?

A: “Definitely. We worked with some guys at IGM that are close to Zach Thomas. They did draw those comparisons. To be mentioned with somebody like him that had a great career in the NFL that long, it’s a great honor. It’s good to emulate people like that because they had great success.”

Q: Did you watch Thomas growing up?

A: “I did watch him growing up. It was difficult to get some of those (Miami Dolphins) games. I was in Cincinnati. It was difficult to get those games. But definitely when I had a chance, I was always watching him.”

Q: What was the most difficult part about deciding to declare for the draft after your junior year?

A: “The toughest thing for me that was holding me back was, just finishing what I started. Being at school with the guys you meet. You do everything with those guys, and some of my friends will be there for one, maybe two more years. Talking to those guys, it’s college. College is over. But I’m excited to be doing what I’m doing now.”

Q: How would you describe yourself as a player?

A: “Instinctual player is something that pops up for a lot of people. That, coupled with I think I’m a smart player. I think I do a pretty good job preparing myself. That’s something I take pride in – being prepared, and knowing what each individual guy is responsible for. I can point at different guys, and let them know what they’re doing if they have questions. I take pride in having the ability to do that. And doing that, and knowing what everyone is doing, you can play faster. It allows you to be more successful.”

Q: How much would it mean to you to go in the first round?

A: “I think it would be great. Growing up, it’s one of those things. I’ve been watching the draft, I don’t know how long. You want to get your name called on that first day, you want to be on that first-day list when he says, ‘So-and-so selects Luke Kuechly, linebacker, Boston College.’ That’s your goal playing in college football. Getting to that level, and hearing your name on the first day.”

The first round of the NFL Draft is Thursday, and there’s a new batch of mock drafts projecting who the Seahawks might select with the 12^th pick.

Seven mocks, four different players (Melvin Ingram appears four times). Four different positions. You can see where this is headed:

Rob Rang of NFLDraftScout.com for CBSSports.com (today): Melvin Ingram, OLB, South Carolina. “Adding free agents Barrett Ruud and Deuce Lutui at middle linebacker and offensive guard filled two of Seattle’s primary areas of concern with starting-caliber veterans. Those additions should allow the team to draft the best available player, who happens to fill their other glaring area of need — a pass rusher opposite Chris Clemons. Just as he did with the Gamecocks, Ingram’s versatility could see him line up at outside linebacker, defensive end and even defensive tackle in obvious pass rush situations. That type of versatility is sure to intrigue Pete Carroll.”

Dane Brugler of NFLDraftScout.com for CBSSports.com (today): Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina. “The Seahawks ranked in the bottom half of the NFL last season with 33.0 sacks and Seattle’s front office has yet to answer their pass rush need during the offseason. Coples isn’t the same prospect as Ex-Tarheel pass rusher Julius Peppers, but offers an immense amount of upside. He has the ability to be as good as he wants, but questions about his passion and work ethic have raised flags, especially after a subpar senior season in Chapel Hill. Coples’ natural skill set and pro potential will force NFL teams to do their due diligence.”

Bucky Brooks at NFL.com (today): David DeCastro, OG, Stanford. “The release of Robert Gallery creates a void at left guard, but the addition of DeCastro would upgrade the position and allow Pete Carroll to play smashmouth football with Marshawn Lynch carrying the load.”

Eric Williams at the News Tribune (Sunday): Dont’a Hightower, ILB, Alabama: “Hawks might move down to get Hightower, but he fills a need and will be the team’s quarterback on defense for the next 10 years.”

Peter King at SI.com (Friday): Ingram. “(Should pick: Mark Barron, S, Alabama). One note: Seattle will take Ryan Tannehill if he’s there at 12. Write it down. If he’s not, Ingram is the kind of versatile rush guy Pete Carroll could use both outside and inside; he had 25 tackles behind the line in 2011. Barron? Even with the Seahawks’ terrific secondary, his addition would mean Carroll could play three thumping safeties on every down but first.”

Chad Reuter at NFL.com (Friday): Ingram. “Improving the team’s pass rush is a priority, and Pete Carroll might momentarily suspend his penchant for long defenders to bring in a playmaker like Ingram.”

Peter Schrager at FoxSports.com (Friday), who mocks the first three rounds: Ingram. “I look at Melvin Ingram and see the next Alson Smith. That’s a good thing. In Pete Carroll’s 4-3 defense, Ingram can line up at either outside linebacker or defensive end and rush the quarterback. He was the star of Senior Bowl week down in Mobile and has impressed scouts in workouts and interviews. He’s a smart kid who can get to the quarterback. Great fit for Seattle.” Second round: Peter Konz, OG/C, Wisconsin. Third round: James Michael-Johnson, LB, Nevada.

Illinois defensive lineman Whitney Mercilus runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis on Monday, Feb. 27, 2012. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)

“Startling” is the word often used to describe Whitney Mercilus’ 2011 season at Illinois – his junior season. “Puzzling” is another word that comes up during discussions of the 6-foot-4, 261-pound pass-rusher.

It starts with whether Mercilus is a rush-end, or an outside linebacker. It continues with how a guy who produced two sacks in his first two seasons could suddenly lead the nation with 16 – not to mention nine forced fumbles.

“Crazy numbers for one year,” NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock said. “Which begs the question: Where were you before then?”

But that’s just the beginning of questions that have been attached to Mercilus, whose parents were born in Haiti.

At the NFL Scouting Combine, he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.68 seconds and did 27 reps with 225 pounds in the bench press. But, Mayock said, “On tape, he can struggle at the point of attack.”

Mayock also called Mercilus “a natural edge rusher,” but in the next breath added, “The biggest concern is you draft him in the first round, how many snaps are you going to get out of him?”

Speaking of questions, Mercilus also came off as a natural while fielding them from reports at the combine:

Q: How do you explain the spike in your sack total last season?

A: “I just was able to put everything together. I was still learning the game as redshirt sophomore and redshirt freshman. Just last year, studying myself more, seeing what I do best and just put it all together for the 2011 season. I broke out last season.”

Q: Did you surprise yourself?

A: “In the beginning, I did. It was just due to work. That’s all it was. That’s all I have to credit it to. I can’t say that I’m surprised. But it just happened – I made it happen.”

Q: What sets you apart as a pass-rusher?

A: “I come off the line. I have a good first step. I’m able to come off the line pretty quickly. Definitely I’m able to wear out players, too. I have a never-ending motor, and I’m able to keep going until the fourth quarter until somebody is dog tired and just take advantage of them.”

Q: What influence have your parents had on you?

A: “My parents are Haitian immigrants. I can’t give you a dateline of when they came here or anything like that, but they worked for everything. They broke their backs throughout the years just to put food on the table for me, my brother and my sister. They just instilled those values in us and just to work hard, never give up at anything in life and just keep pushing forward and go for great things. It definitely happened.”

Q: What factors weighed in your decision to enter the draft early?

A: “This has been a passion all my life to definitely play at the next level. But also it was a way to help my family financially, because I didn’t come from a background where I had money just laying out there that I could use. It was a way just to help them out and provide them with a life that they deserve because they’ve worked so hard for all their life. Now it’s my turn to take care of them.”

Southern California defensive lineman Nick Perry runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis on Monday, Feb. 27, 2012. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)

The opinions and analysis contained in this feature are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the thoughts and opinions of the Seahawks’ coaching staff and personnel department.

A look at the positions heading into the April 26-28 draft:

Best of the bunch

Player, school                                      Ht.   Wt.     Projection

DT Fletcher Cox, Mississippi St.         6-4   298     Top 10 pick

DE Quinton Coples, North Carolina  6-6  284      Top 10 pick

DT Michael Brockers, LSU                   6-6   322     First round

DT Dontari Poe, Memphis                   6-4   346     First round

DE Courtney Upshaw, Alabama          6-2   272    First round

DE Nick Perry, USC                                6-3   271     First round

(Rankings and projections by Rob Rang, senior analyst for NFLDraftScout.com)

What it all means: The D-line prospects in this year’s draft class come in all shapes and sizes, as well as experience and production levels. They’re expected to be sprinkled all over the board in the first round, and that pretty much matches the assessments when the positions are broached. “There’s some very interesting inside guys and outside guys that are kind of spread throughout,” Seahawks GM John Schneider said.

What about: Shea McClellin. The offense got all the pub at Boise State, and for obvious reasons. But McClellin is a “scheme flexible” prospect worth taking a longer look at late in the first round or early in the second round, according to NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock. “If Shea McClellan is there, I would value him a lot,” Mayock said. “He’s going to fit somebody’s 3-4 defense at the tail end of the first round, and I think he’s going to be a 10-year starter.” If that’s not enough for a guy once listed as the 12^th-best end earlier in the process, Mayock added, “I see Mike Vrabel when I look at Shea McClellan.” Vrabel, of course, played in the league from 1997-2010 for the Steelers, Patriots and Chiefs. McClellin had 9.5 sacks in 2010 and seven last season.

Don’t forget about: Alameda Ta’amu. If you’re looking for a nose tackle, and in the later rounds, take a look at the massive (6-3, 341 pounds) prospect from the University of Washington. Even though he played as heavy as 360 for the Huskies, Mayock said, “I would start with (him), if you’re talking about a pure nose tackle for either a 3-4 or a 4-3. He’s massive and may only be a two-down defender, but those downs are going to be really good.” Mayock rates Ta’amu as a late-second round or third-round prospect.

Seahawks situation: The Seahawks have set themselves up to go in just about any direction, with a number of players, after addressing several needs in free agency. But the one thing still missing from coach Pete Carroll’s offseason to-do list is acquiring an edge pass-rusher to complement and take some of the pressure off Chris Clemons. All Clemons has done since being acquired in a 2010 trade with the Eagles is produce back-to-back 11-sack seasons – the first player to get double-digit sacks in consecutive seasons for the Seahawks since Michael Sinclair in 1997-98. But none of the other linemen had more than three sacks last season.