Seahawks: Projected 2016 starters and the next man up
By Keith Myers
Left Tackle
Starter: Gary Gilliam
Backup: Bradley Sowell
The Seahawks surprised almost everyone when they didn’t even have an offer on the table to Russell Okung when he left in free agency. Apparently they believed in Gary Gilliam enough that they knew that Okung was expendable.
Gilliam was a tight end early in his college career. It shows in pass protection. Gilliam has some of the quickest feet you’ll see for an offensive linemen. The other side of that coin is that Gilliam isn’t much of a run blocker.
The Seahawks are hoping that, on top of switching from right tackle to left tackle, Gilliam will take a major leap in his overall technique. If he doesn’t, well, that’s why they brought in Bradley Sowell. Sowell is a career backup, but he’s a veteran that the Seahawks trust can effective enough should Gilliam fail or get injured.
Next: Left Guard