After choosing three offensive linemen in the 2024 draft and adding a couple of other rookies as undrafted free agents, fans would hope that the Seattle Seahawks offensive line is in good shape moving forward. Sadly, nothing that happened on the field in 2024 supports that optimism.
Though any or all of the young linemen added last season – Christian Haynes, Sataoa Laumea, Michael Jerrell, Jalen Sundell, and Mike Novitsky – could take a step forward in 2025, John Schneider cannot rely on that. Right tackle Abe Lucas has not been able to stay on the field. Left guard Laken Tomlinson is a pending free agent. And none of the revolving-door right guards from ’24 inspires confidence.
Will Schneider dive into the draft pool again to address the Seahawks’ single biggest problem? With limited cap space hindering any major moves via free agency, that looks to be the most likely route. Surprising cuts or trades could shake up this scenario, but the Seahawks’ scouts must be putting in long hours watching offensive line prospects.
These FCS prospects could turn into great Seattle Seahawks players
The next major step in the evaluation process – the single biggest step – takes place this weekend. The NFL scouting combine brings together several hundred draft-eligible prospects for drills and interviews. It is a chance for NFL player personnel types to see young players from across the country standing side-by-side. For many of these prospects, the combine is a make-or-break event. 2024’s below-average draft results could put Schneider and his scouting department in a similar position.
Though the combine looms large for all players, those from smaller schools may have more riding on their performance than their FBS brethren. Prospects from FCS and lower schools are always going to be questioned as to their ability to perform against the very best talent. Plenty of outstanding players have been drawn from the ranks of FCS schools but without a standout performance at the combine, some of these players will not get much notice heading into the draft.
The potential benefit of selecting FCS players is that they tend to be excellent values. Because they did not play against elite competition in college, it is natural for teams to downgrade them. Teams looking for steals can sometimes find them if they properly evaluate players from lesser-known programs.
Here are three FCS prospects – all offensive linemen – who the Seahawks need to watch very closely at this week’s combine. Each of them has the potential to step in as a starter early in his career.
Grey Zabel – North Dakota State
Zabel is not going to be a diamond-in-the-rough steal in this year’s draft. A strong performance at the combine could land the FCS All-American in the first round. North Dakota State has been a pipeline into the NFL, especially for offensive linemen. Dillon Radunz and Cody Mauch went in the second round of the ’21 and ’23 drafts, respectively. The Seahawks' own Jalen Sundell made the roster as an undrafted free agent out of NDST last year.
Zabel stepped into the left tackle spot that Sundell had played for the Bison in 2023 and was sensational. As a junior, he had played left guard and right tackle. During his freshman year, he started several games at right guard. Zabel has shown a remarkable ability to shift positions while maintaining elite production. Like Sundell, Zabel is probably best suited to play inside.
Despite having the long frame coveted at tackle, his surprisingly short arms are likely to make teams question whether he can hold off edge rushers in the NFL. But he has shown no weaknesses when playing guard. Despite being 6’5," Zabel maintains excellent leverage and power. He moves well and has been durable and reliable throughout his entire college career.
I admit that I am a big fan of Bison football, but you don’t need rose-colored glasses to envision Sundell and Zabel forming a stalwart center/guard tandem for many years to come in the NFL.
Jackson Slater – Sacramento State
Bellevue’s own Jackson Slater moved into the starting lineup for Sacramento State early in his freshman season and started 42 games at left guard during his career. He shifted to left tackle for a few games as a sophomore and was never out of the starting lineup until a knee injury sidelined him late in his final year.
That knee injury may be a cause for concern but he has seemed to recover very nicely. He took some snaps at center and guard during Senior Bowl week and looked very comfortable. Like Zabel, Slater has the athleticism and experience to make an immediate impact at left guard. With a little bit more experience, he could probably be a plus center or right guard as well.
Despite the injury, Slater was a first-team All-American in 2024 and was first-team All-Conference for the third straight year. In nine games as a senior, Slater did not surrender a sack or a QB hit. It will be fascinating to see how well he can perform at the combine. His power and movement are obvious on tape. If he matches that with strong combine numbers, he could be a Day Two pick.
Clay Webb – Jacksonville State
Coming out of high school. Clay Webb was a top recruit. He signed on to play at the University of Georgia. but it wasn’t until he transferred to Jacksonville State that he began to show his tremendous talent and versatility. Like the previous two prospects, Webb played a lot at left guard in college but also performed well when asked to play center.
The primary concern about Webb is his size. There are a few professions in which 6’3” and 310 pounds are considered too small, but modern interior linemen tend to be longer and carry greater mass. Webb was an elite wrestler in high school, and he demonstrated an excellent ability to win battles in the trenches.
His pass protection is above average. For a player like Webb, the combine can be a showcase to prove he can hold his own against the massive interior linemen he will face at the next level.
Scouts will also be assessing whether he will be able to add some bulk without losing his agility. Because he is not as physically imposing as some of the other interior line prospects, Webb is likely looking to move from a UDFA rating into the Day Three conversation with a strong combine.
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