The Seattle Seahawks addressed the offensive line on this yr’s NFL Draft, however that doesn’t imply there aren’t query marks regarding that unit.
In an ESPN+ article penned by FTN’s Aaron Schatz, aka the godfather of DVOA, he listed the largest roster gap for each NFL workforce. For the Seahawks, it was not inside linebacker, not security, however middle. Per Schatz, “a roster gap doesn’t essentially imply a place with no clear starters; most groups have crammed these holes and are left solely with models the place depth is sketchy.”
Roster gap: Middle
The Seahawks are not sure concerning the starters at middle and at proper guard, however there are stronger choices at guard with Anthony Bradford now backed up by third-round rookie Christian Haynes and veteran Tremayne Anchrum Jr. At middle, it’s going to be as much as 2023 fifth-round decide Olu Oluwatimi to be able to be an NFL starter in his second season. Oluwatimi received the Rimington Trophy and the Outland Trophy for Michigan in 2022 however fell to the fifth spherical due to restricted lateral vary and worries a few Michigan scheme designed to assist him succeed. The backup right here is Nick Harris, previously of the Browns.
I’d contest the concept Haynes is backing up Bradford. Considered one of them might transfer to left guard—extra possible Haynes, who obtained some LG work at rookie minicamp—or Haynes wins the beginning job over Bradford at RG. Middle is theoretically Oluwatimi’s job to lose, however this isn’t about whether or not or not there may be already a starter on the place.
Seattle has had zero stability at middle since Justin Britt’s departure in 2020. Ethan Pocic obtained the nod as Britt’s successor, however by way of harm and a bizarre competitors he break up time with Kyle Fuller in 2021. Austin Blythe began in 2022 earlier than retiring, and final yr noticed Evan Brown get the nod over Oluwatimi. Six totally different Week 1 beginning facilities in as many seasons is ridiculous, however that’s the place we’re with the Seahawks’ OL.
It’s the optimists’ POV that just about each draft decide goes to be good, so we’re giving Oluwatimi the advantage of the doubt. He had 129 offensive snaps as a rookie, together with one begin in opposition to the Arizona Cardinals. Encouragingly, he solely allowed one stress and no sacks in restricted reps. He did have a botched snap in opposition to the Pittsburgh Steelers that was charged to Kenneth Walker III as his first profession fumble.
I can perceive the assumption that middle is the largest roster gap as a result of lack of depth, however I nonetheless lean towards inside linebacker totally as a result of the one three-down starter is Jerome Baker. Everybody else is a rookie or a profession reserve (together with Tyrel Dodson).
