The Seattle Seahawks were so close to making the postseason in head coach Mike Macdonald's first year with the team. Seattle went 10-7 and was the only team in the NFL to reach double-digit victories and not make the postseason. Perhaps a Week 5 loss to the terrible New York Giants kept Seattle from reaching the playoffs, but good teams take care of the teams the- should.
One of Seattle's most glaring issues was the right side of its offensive line. Left guard Laken Tomlinson was not perfect, but compared to center to right tackle, Tomlinson was great. This is especially true in terms of pass protection, as Tomlinson ranked inside the top 50 among all guards, per Pro Football Focus (subscription required).
Still, that ride side was awful. Center transitioned from free agent signee Connor Williams, who retired in Week 11, to second-year pro, Olu Oluwatimi, and neither was very good. Whoever played right guard was awful, and right tackle only slightly improved once Abe Lucas returned from last offseason's knee surgery.
ESPN has perfect answer for what the Seattle Seahawks should do in the first round of the 2025 NFL draft
Quarterback Geno Smith was doomed to failure because of the blockers he had in front of him, and now-fired offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb had little chance of success due to the offensive linemen that general manager John Schneider gave him. Seattle's O-line needs help, both immediately and long-term.
ESPN might have an answer. In the four-letter network's latest mock draft, Jordan Reid has the Seahawks taking potentially the most perfect candidate Seattle could choose in the form of University of Oregon offensive lineman Josh Conerly, Jr. Conerly played nearly solely at left tackle for the Ducks, but that doesn't mean he cannot successfully flip to the right side.
Most important, the 6'4" and 315-pound lineman has the ability and size to play along the inside as well. Schneider could see him as beginning on the inside and being an immediate boost to either left or right guard, and then if Lucas leaves in free agency in 2026, Conerly could replace him.
In fact, if Lucas cannot stay healthy once again in 2025 (he has only played in 13 games over the last two seasons), then Conerly could potentially replace him at right tackle as Seattle would have the experienced depth, though not quality depth, to take over at right guard. Lucas might never play for Seattle again if he is injured and Conerly is first-year decent in taking his spot.
Conerly, who allowed just one sack and five total pressures this past season, is also from Seattle. and went to Rainier Beach High School. He would simply be coming home if the Seahawks drafted him. The good part is that while Schneider eschews drafting centers or guards high, maybe he would be OK with taking Conerly who could be a guard in tackle's clothing.