CBSSports.com's Dane Brugler published his latest mock draft on Monday and had an interesting projection for USC's Nick Perry, predicting that Pete Carroll would take his former player with the 12th pick overall. Per Brugler:
Nick Perry, DE, Southern California: 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. Nick Perry, who was recruited to Southern Cal four years ago, brings an intriguing blend of strength and speed off the edge. He isn't the most flexible athlete, but he blew up the Combine in February with a 4.58 40-yard dash, 38.5-inch vertical leap, 10'4" broad jump and 35 reps of 225-pounds on the bench press.
It's certainly something that is being talked about more and more of late, the reuniting of Perry and Carroll, but until recently it was mostly considered in a trade-down scenario for the Seahawks, where they could pick up a couple more picks and take Perry somewhere in the 20's. Would they take him with the 12th pick? It's tough to say - Perry will be competing at around that spot with the likes of Courtney Upshaw, Melvin Ingram, Quinton Coples, Whitney Mercilus and several other edge rushers, so his athleticism will have to set him apart.
Carroll should know Perry very well after recruiting and coaching him at USC, and a large part of making the right pick is knowing the most about potential players for your team. If the Seahawks rate Perry highly enough, they may just decide not to risk losing him and take him when they have the chance at the 12th pick.
For more on Nick Perry, and USC football, be sure to read Conquest Chronicles.