4 biggest position battles heading into Seahawks 2022 training camp

Though Seattle Seahawks training camp is still several weeks away, we have a pretty good idea who will be fighting for a roster spot already. Several key positions will be determined by whoever plays the best in camp.

Obviously, these battles will likely determine the success or failure of the season. This offseason, the Seahawks lost Russell Wilson and Bobby Wagner so there are a lot more unknowns than have been normal over the last 10 years.

Plus, Seattle appears to have chosen a very good crop of players in the 2022 NFL draft and more rookies might have a say in who gets valuable snaps than has been normal as well.

4 positions battles that will make or break the Seahawks in 2022

Position battle 1: Right tackle

In 2021, undrafted rookie Jake Curhan took over for veteran but oft-injured Brandon Shell and was as good as Shell, especially with the kind of offense the Seahawks were trying to run. Literally. By the end of the season, Seattle was focused a lot more on opening holes for running back Rashaad Penny and less so on simply keeping Russell Wilson upright.

Curhan wasn’t perfect when it comes to pass blocking but he was a natural when it came to run blocking. Pro Football Focus gave Curhan a grade of 62.1 in run blocking. Not great but far from the worst. And Curhan’s play made sure that Shell was never going to be re-signed this offseason.

All that said, the Seahawks took Abe Lucas in the third round in this year’s draft because Lucas is potentially a ten-year starter at right tackle. Lucas is already likely a better pass protector than Curhan but could learn a thing or two from Curhan in run blocking.

Still, Lucas has excellent athletic ability and should fit well in a zone-blocking scheme that doesn’t require him to try to constantly go head-on with defenders. But one thing about Lucas: He is tenacious and won’t be passive when it comes to any kind of blocking.