With the 25th Selection in the 2011 NFL Draft, the Seattle Seahawks Select . . .

I don’t pretend to know who the best player the Seahawks should select is. As far as prospects go, I’ve seen a few of them on TV and read their combine numbers, but who really knows who is going to be a keeper and who is going to be a bust? It was just two years ago that all the “experts” said that Aaron Curry was the safest pick in the draft. Look how that turned out.

Having seen numerous games in person (including 10 last season), I think I have a pretty good handle on what the Seahawks need. They basically need help everywhere, but their primary needs are on both sides of the line. Defensive line is more of a priority in my opinion because there is a significant lack of depth and injuries have taken their toll, more so than on the offensive line. This draft is supposedly very deep with defensive linemen, so a pretty good player should be available at #25.

Trading down is a possibility, but for the purposes of this post, I’ll assume the Seahawks stay where they are. There are so many variables when predicting a pick this far down in the draft. Several possible selections will be off the board, but several more might fall to #25. I wouldn’t be surprised to hear Muhammad Wilkerson, Brooks Reed or Stephen Paea. Paea, to me, is especially intriguing. His power numbers at the combine were spectacular, but he has issues with his knee. Since I don’t know whether Paea is healthy or not, my guess for the pick is

Marvin Austin, DT, North Carolina

Pete Carroll is familiar with Austin, having heavily recruited him in high school. Austin is one of the few blue-chip prospects that USC targeted who didn’t go there. Carroll finally gets his chance to coach Austin now. This pick fills a desperate need with a player who should see significant playing time. If Brandon Mebane isn’t re-signed, Austin will step in as a starter. If Mebane returns, Austin will still see lots of action and be welcome insurance if Mebane and/or Colin Cole were to be injured once again.

I’ll also give you my sleeper pick; someone I haven’t heard or read about being a possible Seahawks selection. I would prefer a defensive lineman first and an offensive lineman second, but I would not be surprised if the pick were to be

Mikel Leshoure, RB, Illinois

I’ve seen Leshoure play, and I was very impressed. His running style reminds me of Marshawn Lynch, only Leshoure is more explosive. The Seahawks could pass on Leshoure and hope he’s still available at #57, but the pool of running backs in this draft is very thin, and I doubt Leshoure would still be on the board. If the Seahawks trade down, the possibility of drafting Leshoure would increase dramatically.

The draft is my favorite time of the year. Every team has a sense of optimism going into the season ahead. People start to get passionate about football again, good and bad. I’m looking forward to tonight. It’s gonna be fun.