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Germain Ifedi: How he fits with the Seattle Seahawks

By Keith Myers

Oct 4, 2014; Starkville, MS, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs defensive lineman Ryan Brown (48) pushes away Texas A&M Aggies offensive lineman Germain Ifedi (74) at Davis Wade Stadium. The Bulldogs defeated the Aggies 48-31. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 4, 2014; Starkville, MS, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs defensive lineman Ryan Brown (48) pushes away Texas A&M Aggies offensive lineman Germain Ifedi (74) at Davis Wade Stadium. The Bulldogs defeated the Aggies 48-31. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Seattle Seahawks selected Germain Ifedi in the first round of the draft. How he fits into Seattle’s scheme and on the depth chart is easy to project.

When the Seahawks selected Germain Ifedi on Thursday night in the 1st round of the draft, there was a collective groan by the local draft community. This may not be a popular pick, but he’s a Seattle Seahawk now no matter what the experts think.

Measurables:

Height: 6 ft 6 in
Weight: 324
Arm length: 36 inches
40-yard dash: 5.27
Broad jump: 9-1
Bench: 24

How he fits:

Ifedi is a pure right tackle. There is no belief that he’ll ever move across the line to the left side, but that’s probably ok. The Seahawks love Gary Gilliam in that spot, so it makes sense to draft someone for the right side.

Besides, the Seahawks’ running game is definitely right handed. Tom Cable prefers a stronger run blocker on the right side, with the stronger pass blocker on the left. This alignment will give the Seahawks exactly what they’re looking for.

Ifedi will have to beat out J’Marcus Webb for playing time this season. Webb is currently pencilled in as the starter at RT, and he’s likely to stay there for at least most of training camp and the preseason. Ifedi’s technique needs a ton of work, and the Seahawks would be wise not to rush him onto the field where he’d develop bad habits.

Let be clear on exactly what Ifedi is: a run blocker. He’s a very powerful straight ahead blocker that will open some really nice holes for Thomas Rawls. Defensive ends, especially speed rushers, will struggle to provide much resistance as he drives them backwards.

What Ifedi isn’t is a pass blocker. His feet are slow, and his technique is poor. The Seahawks will have to give him help with a TE or a RB far more often than they did with Gilliam in that spot last season.

Overall this is a confusing selection. The Seahawks needed a starter to help stabilize the line. Instead they got a development project. We’ll have to wait and see how it works out.

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