The Seahawks offensive line will be better in 2021 and here is why
By Andy Excell
Gabe Jackson
Not only have the Seahawks traded their fifth round pick in this year’s draft to get Gabe Jackson, but they have also now given him a three-year contract worth $22.5 million over the next three seasons.
Was this a good call?
With Mike Iupati retiring, replacing him was clearly required. The Seahawks had three options: trade, free agency or via the draft. Free agency was likely to be too expensive in terms of the salary cap to consider.
Using the same fifth round pick they gave up to get the likes of Robert Hainsey from Notre Dame, Deonte Brown from Alabama or Jack Anderson from Texas Tech to play right guard was an option well worth considering. But given the youth at the other two interior O-line positions for the Seahawks, getting in a savvy vet over an unproven young prospect was the right call for me.
According to PFF grading Jackson’s 63.7 for last season, is a slight downgrade on Iupati’s 67.8 though. The average for a right guard in the NFL is 67.4 and 67.75 in the NFC. In addition, Jackson ranks 21st amongst starting RG’s in the NFL, 10th in the NFC and 2nd in the NFC West.
So for all that money, the Seahawks actually have a below-average 30-year-old starting RG going into 2021 and beyond. Not ideal for sure, but probably the best option at this time.