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Seahawks first round pick: Best offensive linemen they could take

By Lee Vowell

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 08: Tanner McEvoy #19, Russell Wilson #3, Justin Britt #68 and Oday Aboushi #75 of the Seattle Seahawks wait to get on the field before the game against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on October 8, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 08: Tanner McEvoy #19, Russell Wilson #3, Justin Britt #68 and Oday Aboushi #75 of the Seattle Seahawks wait to get on the field before the game against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on October 8, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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The Seahawks need offensive line help. This is breaking news, right? It seems Seattle always needs to improve their line. With Tom Cable gone, Seattle might make better choices with who they draft on the line in 2018.

The Seahawks need both depth and talent on their offensive line. But in 2018 the line is not the most pressing need for Seattle. Duane Brown returns at left tackle, Justin Britt at center and Ethan Pocic showed potential. And surely new offensive line coach Mike Solari can get Germain Ifedi to stop committing so many stupid penalties.

Still, Seattle needs talent for 2018 and needs to draft players to be their core group of linemen for the next several seasons.

And as an anti-climatic lead-up, I am taking the two Notre Dame offensive linemen off this list. Both offensive guard Quenton Nelson and offensive tackle Mike McGlinchey will be off the board before Seattle has a chance to pick. That said, here are the four linemen that Seattle has the best chance to take with the 18th pick in April’s NFL Draft.

(If Seattle sticks at number 18, which, of course, they won’t.)

Orlando Brown, offensive tackle, Oklahoma

Brown is a huge human being at 6’8″ and 360 pounds. And he is a great run blocker. In other words, based on the recent coaching moves Seattle has made in an apparent effort to get back to running the ball, he would be a nearly perfect pick in the first round.

And there is actually a small chance he could still be around at number 18. Brown is really a right tackle and teams really love left tackles. But Brown may too big and strong for a team to pass up before he gets to Seattle’s slot.

Will Hernandez, offensive guard, UTEP

Hernandez is not tall but he is wide and strong. His height actually might make him a better fit in Seattle because Russell Wilson is also not tall, of course. Hernandez is only 6’3″. But he is 330 pounds.

There are some who project Hernandez to fall out of the first round due to his height. If Seattle trades down in the first round as they usually do, they could possibly still get their offensive guard of the future.

Kolton Miller, offensive tackle, UCLA

Miller, like Brown, is 6’8″. But he is smaller around the waist than Brown is as Miller weighs 310 pounds. If Brown is gone, then Seattle might take a chance on Miller.

The problem with Miller is that he had two seasons in college end early because of injury. He also can get beat by speed rushers. This is one reason he projects as a right tackle in the NFL. And the Seahawks might be in need of one of those if Ifedi keeps making mistakes.

Connor Williams, offensive tackle, Texas

Williams is 6’6″ and 315 pounds. He missed seven games with a knee issue in 2017 but did play late in the year. That injury and his need to gain some strength might make him fall out of the first round.

Still, he is fairly athletic with quick feet and hands. If the Seahawks see him as Duane Brown’s replacement in 2019, John Schneider could grab him at pick 18.

Related Story: Ethan Pocic makes an All-Rookie team. Hooray!

Or 27…or whenever.

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