Wednesday NFL Draft links to click

Seattle Times - Finale has huge NFL draft implications for Seahawks
The Seahawks' regular-season finale at Arizona may not have any playoff implications, but the impact will still be felt in April when the league holds its annual draft.

Al.com - No awards for Tide's No. 1 defense? Dont'a Hightower admits disappointment
Alabama's star-studded defense leads the nation in all of the major statistical categories, but not a single star won an individual postseason award.

Tennessean - Mississippi State defenders keep eyes on NFL status
Fletcher Cox and Johnthan Banks were prepared for the question. Will Mississippi State’s two junior stars bolt for the NFL in the spring?

New York Times - Panthers' Newton prepared to prove the critics wrong
Fake smile. Selfish. The next JaMarcus Russell. The slighting of Cam Newton going into the N.F.L. draft last April was anything but slight. Even though he won the Heisman Trophy, even though he led Auburn to the national championship, there were widespread doubts about Newton’s ability to make it in the N.F.L. The Carolina Panthers ignored the din and made Newton the No. 1 pick in the draft, anyway.