Seahawks off-season progress: Offensive edition

Left Tackle:

Duane Brown, George Fant

This is a very solid position on  our offensive line.  Brown is a former pro bowl tackle who brings experience and leadership to our team.  He is a legitimate left tackle.

Fant was a highly thought of prospect last year before his injury.  Once he is fully healthy, it will be tough to keep him off the field.

Left Guard:

DJ Fluker, Rees Odhiambo, Ethan Pocic

By all accounts, Fluker was brought in because Solari likes him, and he is a very good run blocker.  He is a former first round pick with all the measurables needed to expect him to be a good guard.  He has been pretty bad as a pass blocker and should stay on the inside where his size and strength can play up and you can hide some of his movement weaknesses.

Rees was looking really great in camp last year before Fant went down, and Rees had to move out to tackle.  He isn’t a tackle, that project didn’t work.  He should get every chance to earn the backup job behind Fluker though at left guard.

Pocic could play guard in a pinch.  He is under-powered at the point of attack and gets pushed back by bigger defensive tackles, but he will get stronger in time.

Center

Justin Britt, Joey Hunt, Ethan Pocic

Britt has been our best and most consistent lineman the past 2 seasons.  He is a building block.

Joey Hunt was a smallish center who exhibits great instincts and quickness, but he still feels underpowered.

Pocic is listed because he can literally play anywhere on the line.

Right Guard

Germain Ifedi, Ethan Pocic, Jordan Roos

Germain Ifedi is a guard in my book.  He didn’t show the quickness on the outside last season to handle the elite edge rushers in the league.  He struggled knowing of that disadvantage which caused him to false start and hold way more than we would like.  Ifedi feels like a clone of DJ Fluker to me.  A powerful run blocker lacking the foot quickness for the outside, but could be an outstanding guard.  He played solid at guard his rookie season, and I think to save his career a move to guard is necessary.

I list Pocic as the backup here because he showed great promise here last season.  Ending the season as the starting right guard, but he was still underpowered.  Where Ifedi’s issue was quickness, that is Pocic’s strong suit.

Jordan Roos is a beast of a man, but still a project.  He brings a level of nasty the Seahawks need on their roster.

Right Tackle

Ethan Pocic, George Fant, Germain Ifedi

With Ifedi moving in to guard, that leaves a hole at right tackle.  However, it solidifies 4 out of 5 line spots.  As stated before, Pocic fits better at tackle right now where he can use his athleticism and movement skills to mirror edge rushers and not worry about being overpowered by bigger defensive tackles.

As mentioned before, Fant is pushing for playing time as soon as he is healthy.  He has the same movement skills if not better than Pocic and 2 years gaining strength in the Seahawks weight room. Even if he doesn’t beat out Pocic, he is the left tackle of the future behind Duane Brown.

I still list Ifedi out here just in case.  He isn’t great at tackle, but he can get by.

Need:  I believe a tackle is still a need to address.  At the very least to give Pocic and Fant competition.  I don’t believe anyone will be added in free agency, look for the draft to address the position.

Related Story: The Seahawks free agency stuff so far...

Analysis:

The Seahawks have made moves so far by adding DJ Fluker, Jaron Brown and Ed Dickson.  These players are run blocking additions, whom should not hurt in the passing game.   We lost some pass catching threats in Paul Richardson, Jimmy Graham and fan favorite, Luke Willson.  That hurts, but we lose them in order to improve the running game.  We still have some holes to fill, but if we can have some semblance of a rushing attack without sacrificing our passing attack this season, I would have to think that everyone would consider that an improvement.