3 under-the-radar players Seahawks should take in 2022 NFL draft

Offensive lineman Cole Strange, Chattanooga

Strange was a guard in college and started a ton of games. He won’t be fooled too much by what a defender wants to do against him with all his experience. He also seems really smart and that intelligence will him adapt relatively quickly to NFL defenders. The question about Strange is his overall strength.

But I think this concern will be diminished a bit because I think Seattle is seeing Strange as a future center and not a guard. Center might be a near-perfect fit for Strange, too, especially in a system like the Seahawks. Strange may not have superior muscle but he has excellent quickness. In a zone-blocking scheme, Strange’s nimble feet and ability to change angles will be extremely useful.

But Strange’s intelligence are also going to work well at center. Strange would have to call the line alignments. Understanding what a defense is trying to do is needed to protect the quarterback or open holes for a running back. Strange should excel at this once he gets his feet wet as a pro.

Seattle signed Austin Blythe this offseason but only to a one-year deal. Drafting Strange would make sense in this draft because he would be able to learn Seattle’s system for a year and get some reps in while taking over full-time from Blythe in 2023. Strange could be a very good and long-term center for the Seahawks.