Seahawks position preview: The offensive line starters and cuts
Newbies
Damien Lewis
Lewis was drafted by the Seahawks in the third round of this year’s draft and many expect him to be the starting right guard replacing DJ Fluker. Lewis only started at his alma mater LSU for one season, but his tape shows a power run blocker that opened huge holes for 2020 first-round pick Clyde Edwards-Helaire, and he has experience with a QB similar to Russ in Joe Burrow. He is also dominant in one on one pass blocking, but his downsides are picking up blitzing linebackers and other similar situations left him looking clueless looking for someone to block. Against Alabama’s NFL d-line talent in 2019 he only allowed one pressure in LSU’s win which was highly impressive.
Brandon Shell
Shell signed a two year, $9 million contract this offseason with the Seahawks. He comes over from the Jets where he was the starting right tackle the last two seasons. He had a 63.6 PFF grade last year and was responsible for seven sacks allowed and five penalties. The Seahawks have had problems at right tackle the last few seasons and Shell, who has had troubles with injuries during his four year NFL career, will try to stay healthy and be the solution for the next two years.
BJ Finney
A former teammate of Tyler Lockett at Kansas state, Finney makes his way to Seattle after four years in Pittsburgh. During his time with the Steelers, Finney was a backup guard and center and appeared in at least 13 games all four years while only starting a handful of games each season. Finney had decent PFF ratings in his first seasons hovering around 70 each year, but last season was his worst with a 56.9 grade yet only one penalty and one sack allowed in 325 snaps. Finney signed an $8 million two year deal with the Seahawks to most likely be their starting center the next two seasons.
Chance Warmack
Warmack had a rather successful run as the Titans starting right guard his first three seasons, but he has spent 2017 and 2018 in Philly as a backup guard. He was not on a roster last season but the Seahawks brought Warmack back to the NFL on a one year contract and he will try to find some of his old Titan form to try and make the roster and compete for a guard position.
Cedric Ogbuehi
Ogbuehi comes over to Seattle after spending one year with the Jaguars. While with the Jaguars he was a backup tackle. He was on the roster for 14 games and in 155 snaps had a PFF grade of 67.0 with no sacks allowed or penalties. Before his time in Jacksonville, Ogbuehi was a two-year starter for the Bengals after he was drafted in round one in 2015. He will try and compete with Brandon Shell for the starting RT role.
Tommy Champion
Champion only started six games last season at Mississippi State, but he started at both guard and tackle. Because of this versatility, the undrafted free agent might have a shot at making the roster or practice squad his rookie year over players that can only play one o-line position. The Seahawks also gave him a decent three-year contract and a signing bonus, which are both signs that the Seahawks want to keep the UDFA around after the preseason.