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Seahawks offensive line appears set for 2021 and not any better

By Lee Vowell

Oct 4, 2020; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) looks over the offensive line of scrimmage against the Miami Dolphins during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 4, 2020; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) looks over the offensive line of scrimmage against the Miami Dolphins during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Seattle Seahawks have made two moves in the last two days and have basically solidified their offensive line for 2021. Will Russell Wilson be happy? That’s the biggest question. Besides the question of whether the Seattle offensive line is actually better this coming season than it was last year.

On Wednesday, the Seahawks traded for guard Gabe Jackson. Jackson would seem to be the left guard when next year begins as Damien Lewis mostly played right guard in 2020 and was pretty good for a rookie. On Thursday, Seattle announced it was re-signing center Ethan Pocic.

I did see quite a few responses to that signing as if Pocic will have to fight to be the starting center this coming season. I am not sure why. Pocic started all 14 games he was available to play (meaning, not injured) at center in 2020 so why would he not start in 2021? Seattle hasn’t signed another player to compete with Pocic so the job is Pocic’s until he proves during the season he can’t do it.

Seahawks offensive line better in 2021?

So Seattle’s offensive line should look like this along with their Pro Football Focus ranks from 2020:

Left tackle Duane Brown (5th)

Left guard Gabe Jackson (40th)

Center Ethan Pocic (26th)

Right guard Damien Lewis (13th)

Right tackle Brandon Shell (40th)

According to PFF, the Seahawks had the 14th-best offensive line in the NFL. The Cleveland Browns were first. Four of the Browns offensive linemen ranked in the top-10 in the NFL while right tackle Jedricks Willis was 57th. Tampa Bay, which just won the Super Bowl, of course, had no offensive linemen rank lower than 22nd at their respective position.

So is the Seattle offensive line any better for 2021 than it was in 2020? On paper, the answer is no. Possibly Jackson regains his pre-2019 form and is very good for the Seahawks. Hopefully, Shell stays a little healthier this year than last.

Next moves Seahawks should make. dark. Next

But to be fair, as things currently stand, midway through the 2021 Russell Wilson might be frustrated again by how much he is getting hit and Seattle might be on another journey towards an early exit in the playoffs, if they even make it that far next year. And to make matters worse, Seattle will be paying about $6 million more for the same kind of unit in 2021 than it did in 2020.

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