Seahawks 2021 NFL draft: Targets at offensive tackle for Seattle

While it may not be seen as a position where obvious help is needed, the Seahawks may end up taking an offensive tackle in the draft.  This move is especially likely if the team decides to move down to bolster the small amount of draft capital it currently holds.  But why should the Seahawks even consider taking a tackle?  And if they do move down and spend a pick on a tackle, who might their selection be?

Both the left and right tackle positions look to be fairly strong ones for Seattle in 2021.  Duane Brown has been a solid left tackle his entire career, and Brandon Shell, while not a superstar, is most definitely serviceable in the right tackle position.

But going into the season on the backs of these two players probably isn’t the safest move for the Seahawks.  Brown is aging and his bad knee could go out at any moment.  If this were to happen, Shell could fill in at left tackle, but who does that leave on the right?  Cedric Ogbuehi?

Seahawks will need help at offensive tackle sooner rather later

I’m willing to bet that a team trying desperately to keep Russell Wilson happy won’t want to place any faith into Ogbuehi as a consistent starter.  Seattle needs to take a project tackle in this draft who could help fill in this year as needed and can take over as a starter when either Brown retires or the team moves on from Shell.

Tackles Seattle can target in the Draft

For the purpose of this article, I’ll be looking at 4th-7th round tackles (with the help of The Draft Network – TDN), as I definitely don’t see this team selecting one earlier than the 4th round.

Round 4

Stone Forsythe, Florida – TDN Prospect #95

Forsythe is a perfect candidate for the Seahawks as a project who should be used in a limited role during his first year.  He is a monster of a man, standing 6’8″ and weighing 315 pounds, an advantage when taking on the high-caliber edge rushers in the NFC West.  He’s fairly athletic for his size, too, something that would for sure work in his favor in the Waldron offense.

Walker Little, Stanford – TDN Prospect #174

Walker Little is a very intriguing option for this team.  While he’s listed at #174 on The Draft Network, other sites have him coming off the board as early as the second round.  He has the combination of speed and size that should excel in the Shane Waldron offensive scheme.  He is an impressive specimen (6’7″, 309 pounds) and was a successful pass blocker in college.

Round 5

James Hudson, Cincinnati – TDN Prospect #134

Hudson, like Forsythe, is a pure project at tackle.  He is fairly undeveloped, and so should not be leaned on at all in his first year or two.  He has good size (6’4″, 302 pounds), and by his third season could surely be a starter for this team, if he’s trained the right way.  Hudson is rising up ranking boards, though, and may go too high for the Seahawks to want to spend on him.

Round 7

Tommy Doyle, Miami (OH) – TDN Prospect #225

Doyle is an option the Seahawks may look at if they want a guy who can just block for zone run plays.  He’s not very athletic, so he may fall short of the pass-blocking qualities that Schneider and Carroll are no doubt looking for.  However, his size can’t be ignored.  He stands 6’8″ and weighs in at 326 pounds.  If the Seahawks are looking for a guy who can simply outmuscle his opponent and not one well-suited for Waldron’s scheme, Doyle would be an interesting player to take a flyer on.

The Verdict

I truly expect the Seahawks to address the offensive tackle position in the upcoming draft.  While Brown and Shell will obviously start at the position (barring any remaining free agency moves), the Seahawks should now be looking for a replacement for Brown.

I know they don’t see it as the top need, but it’s a position that they’ll spend a pick on if they end up with 5 or more by way of trading down.  Even if the pick has to spend a year on the practice squad, he will be someone who has the potential of taking over a starting role for the Seahawks a year or two down the road.