Compared to many other general managers, John Schneider has not made a lot of moves in the early offseason. But those moves have been big. After sending shock waves through the entire Seattle Seahawks organization by trading away both Geno Smith and DK Metcalf, Schneider found a new starting quarterback in Sam Darnold, a new starting wide receiver in Cooper Kupp, and a potential top-flight defensive end in DeMarcus Lawrence.
Those contracts, valued at over $175 million, should help patch some major roster holes. But Schneider had better not neglect the mid-level talent and role players that often separate winners from losers in the NFL. There are still deals to be made at positions of need.
There are several journeyman nose tackles who could help the talented Seahawks’ ends and edges shine. There are some young tight ends who have never lived up to their draft pedigree but might benefit from a fresh start. Teams always need depth in the secondary, and Schneider could snap up a bargain or two. There are veterans who may have one or two more years in them and youngsters who need time to develop on the market.
With Cooper Kupp signed, the Seattle Seahawks should now pursue these free agency
Schneider is doubt looking ahead to the draft when he should have great flexibility. The picks he acquired in the Smith and Metcalf trades will allow him to trade up if he has someone targeted. Even if he stands pat, Seattle should come away with a lot of fresh blood.
But today, we’re not going to think about the draft or any of the other positions that still offer some talent via free agency. Today, we are focusing like a laser on Seattle’s single biggest roster concern. The Hawks need interior offensive linemen. Without an upgrade over last year, Kenneth Walker can’t control the game on the ground.
Sam Darnold already gets sacked a lot, and that will only get worse. The other new wideout, Marquez Valdez-Scantling, will not have the time to do the thing he does best – run deep.
So far, Schnider has ignored this position in free agency. As I am writing this, two of the better remaining prospects – Mekhi Becton and Nate Herbig – have signed on with other teams. Even if he plans to go after interior line help in the draft, and even if he has faith in the underperforming players currently on the roster, Schneider would be well-advised to bolster his roster with a veteran or two.
There are players still on the market who have started a lot of games in the NFL> Some have struggled with injuries, while others have proven inconsistent. But there is talent out there. Schnieder must identify the most promising and then trust new offensive line coach John Benton to get the most out of them.
Here are the top five available linemen who could still make an impact for the Hawks in 2025.
Dillon Radunz, Tennessee
Radunz was a very hot prospect coming out of college in 2021. He played ball at FCS powerhouse North Dakota State and was chosen by the Titans in round two. After struggling at tackle early on, Radunz was moved inside.
He served in a backup role for a few years before taking over as a starter in 2023. Since then, he has started 26 games and showed gradual improvement. Injuries have been a recurring issue, but Radunz did start 15 games at right guard last year and performed better than anyone wearing a Seahawks jersey.
The question for Schneider is whether Radumz has made a long, slow adjustment to life in the NFL and is now ready to develop into a reliable interior blocker or whether he is destined to let nagging injuries stall whatever progress he is making.
Jedrick Wills, Cleveland
Here are a couple of things about Jedrick Wills. First, he’s a tackle, not a guard. Second, he has only played 13 games in the last two seasons. So, why would Seattle be interested?
Wills has undeniable talent. He starred at Alabama and was selected with the ninth pick in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft. That was just ahead of the aforementioned Becton and perennial Pro Bowler Tristan Wirfs. That had only compounded the impression that Wills has been a bust in the pros.
Signing Wills would result in a position change. Even if he were to remain at tackle, he would have to shift to the right side, opposite Charles Cross. But Wills also might be a prime candidate for a Mekhi Becton-type move inside.
This type of shift has revived many careers prior to Becton, and there’s no reason it can’t come after five or six years of playing tackle. That’s what happened to Becton. It’s what happened with Ereck Flowers several years back. It is what the Giants are planning for Evan Neal this year.
Andre James, Las Vegas
James has been a pretty good center for the Raiders, starting 60 games over the last four seasons. He was released a few days ago, as new coach Pete Carroll has decided Jackson Powers-Johnson will be his new starting center.
On one level, signing James does not make much sense. The Hawks have a starting center in Olu Olawatimi. He was pressed into service last season after the abrupt retirement of Connor Williams, and it is debatable whether the club sees him as a long-term answer. If they don’t, they may already have a solid option on the roster in Jalen Sundell.
Often, centers and guards are interchangeable, but James, Olawatimi, and Sundell have virtually no experience at guard. (Sundell was a very good college tackle for one season at North Dakota State). The thought here is that when you are desperate, it is not such a bad idea to bring in as much help as you can and see what happens.
Let all three players fight it out for the center spot, and then see if any of them can show some ability at guard. Granted, it's not the most reliable strategy, but Seattle is running out of options, and Andre James is a solid player.
Dalton Risner, Minnesota
Risner is the exact kind of player Seattle needs. He came into the league as a second-round draft pick in 2019 and made the all-rookie team. He started 62 games for Denver over four years, then signed on with the Vikings.
Risner has never developed into the elite interior lineman that some saw in those early seasons. He is not overpowering. He is simply a very solid, professional guard. Still just 29 years old, Risner has more than 5,000 snaps of NFL experience. In all that time, he has surrendered 10 sacks and committed nine penalties.
Last year, in fewer than 600 snaps, projected starter Anthony Bradford allowed seven sacks and committed 10 penalties. Are you seriously telling me the Seahawks couldn’t make use of a player like Dalton Risner?
Teven Jenkins, Chicago
Jenkins was linked to Seattle by outsiders before the 2024 season had even concluded. It simply made too much sense. Now it seems that Schneider is actually pursuing the former Oklahoma State star.
Chicago has revamped their offensive line, and Jenkins’s continued struggles with injuries made him expendable. That is a legitimate concern for any team looking to bring him in. Jenkins has played in just 39 games over the past three seasons. Concerns about a chronic back issue early on seemed to have been addressed by surgery in 2021, but Jenkins still has not been able to escape random injuries.
When healthy, Jenkins is the best guard currently available. And he has been healthy more often than not in the last few seasons. The Hawks have to decide whether he is a good enough risk to outbid several other teams reportedly interested in the 27-year-old.