Predicted Seahawks weakness in 2024 could become strength in the end

The Seattle Seahawks in many ways is an easy team to diagnose. 12s can point to what position groups are the strongest and which aren't. What fans don't know is how the new coaching staff will have an impact of the weak links.

For instance, 12s can guess that the wide receiver group will be just fine and among the best in the league. Assuming new offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb is as good as hoped, he should develop pass routes for DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba that make the trio nearly uncontainable. Grubb has a good fourth option in tight end Noah Fant, too.

The OC's offense might be held back, however, but an inefficient offensive line. CBS Sports recently posted an article about each team's perceived biggest roster hole this season and Charles Cross and friends got that designation for the Seahawks.

Seahawks offensive line a perceived weakness now but might be a strength later

CBS Sports especially doesn't care for the interior of Seattle's O-line but thinks left tackle Cross and right tackle Abraham Lucas "should be at least decent." What glorious praise that is, right? Not so much.

Instead, CBS Sports is completely unsure who starts for Seattle at both guard spots and at center. Once the starters are set, the site is not sure if the players will be any good. But there is a lot to imply that the Seahawks' offensive line could far exceed expectations this year.

Free agent signee Laken Tomlinson could be an upgrade over Damien Lewis at left guard. Lewis wasn't bad, but over the course of his career, Tomlinson has been a bit better. He is older than Lewis and not great in the past two seasons, but he also might have been graded lower by Pro Football Reference (subscription required) in 2022 and 2023 because he was guilty by association compared to the rest of the New York Jets offensive line.

In 2022, for instance, Lewis allowed three sacks in 634 pass-rush snaps, while Tomlinson gave up just one sack in 713 pass-block reps. Not bad.

Center will probably belong to Olu Oluwatimi who likely should have played more last year in his rookie season. 2023 starter Evan Brown was atrocious after Week 2. He gave up multiple pressures in 11 of his last 14 games and could not move people in the run game. In 70 pass-block snaps, Oluwatimi gave up just one pressure.

The biggest question is right guard. Anthony Bradford was terrible as a rookie and there is no guarantee he will ever be decent. Rookie Christian Haynes might be a terrific mauler, but he is also, well...a rookie. Hopefully, one of those two players will be better than the right guard play from last season.

Even at tackle, there is depth. If Abe Lucas's knee issue is still a problem, veteran George Fant can step in and be solid. In fact, Fant is the best backup tackle Seattle has had in years.

CBS Sports is not wrong. Seattle's offensive line should be thought of as a weakness currently. There is also a good chance that by the middle of the season, the unit could be quite good. Good enough to actually help lead Seattle to a deep playoff run.

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