Seahawks: Is Gary Gilliam the new left tackle?

The Seattle Seahawks need a new left tackle, and Gary Gilliam is the guy most likely to get the job.

Despite all evidence to the contrary, the Seattle Seahawks likely have a plan for fixing their horrendous offensive line. While that certainly involves drafting some new starters, there is one change they can make right now that’ll offer some relief.

That change would be to move right tackle Gary Gilliam over to the left side. This may not be the most popular move, but it is one that should help the team in both the short term and the long term.

Gilliam was a tight end early in his college career. After missing two seasons because of a knee injury and a subsequent infection, he returned to the field bigger, stronger, and as an offensive tackle.

Gilliam has the quick feet and athleticism you’d expect from a former TE. This makes him ideal as a pass blocker, and perhaps better suited for high volume passing team like the Saints or Cardinals.

Gilliam is also still fairly raw technique-wise. He’s only been an offensive linemen for four years now. He gets his pad level too high; he also doesn’t get proper arm extension, which prevents from playing with the functional strength you’d expect.

All of that make him a less-than ideal run blocker. It is also why his future in Seattle likely isn’t as a RT.

The Seahawks use a very traditional approach to the makeup of their right and left tackles. They want to the left tackle to the better pass blocker. They also want their RT to be an absolute mauler in the run game, even if that means sacrificing some pass blocking skills.

That is why it makes sense for the Seahawks to move Gilliam over to the left side. He likely is never going to be a mauling run blocker. His pass blocking are already about average for an NFL OT, and will only improve with time.

Obviously, at this point in his career Gilliam isn’t a franchise left tackle. No one is going to mistake him for Walter Jones out there. If you’re thinking that this move will fix Seattle’s line problems, then you’re likely going to be disappointed.

What he is, though, is Seattle’s best option at the position. It makes sense for the Seahawks to move him and then work to upgrade the line elsewhere.