These three underrated Seahawks rookies will be starting by week six

Call him Double O: the Hawks will call Olu Oluwatimi their starting center

The Seahawks haven't had a great center since they made possibly the worst trade in the Carroll-Schneider era, sending Max Unger to the Saints in exchange for Jimmy Graham. It was impossible for Graham to match his former production in Seattle, and the Hawks would never replace Unger's production on the offensive line. Justin Britt and Ethan Pocic weren't bad by any means. They also weren't Pro Bowl-quality players like Unger. Finally, it appears the Hawks have tired of plugging in tweeners who weren't the best fit at tackle or guard and drafted a true center.

Olusegun Oluwatimi is exactly that, a true center. I've already written about his advantage to become Seattle's starting center for the next decade or so; allow me to add a bit more evidence. Oluwatimi played over 3,000 snaps in college, and he was the man making those snaps. He won the Rimington Award as the nation's best center, the Outland Trophy as the nation's best interior lineman, and also anchored the NCAA's best offensive line, sharing the Joe Moore Award with his teammates. When he wasn't pancaking defensive tackles to open gaping holes for Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards, he kept QB J.J. McCarthy on his feet, allowing zero sacks. Olu is the total package.

Yes dear 12s, I do like Evan Brown, the center Seattle signed to replace Austin Blythe. He played the position quite well for the Lions in 2021 when he stepped in to replace injured Pro Bowler Frank Ragnow. When Ragnow returned to the lineup in 2022, he was back at center and Brown was back at guard. Ragnow made it to the Pro Bowl again, but Brown didn't.

Again, I like Evan Brown, and I'm very happy the Seahawks added him. But no one believes that Oluwatimi won't eventually supersede him. It's only a matter of when he will. Of the three players I've discussed, Olu has the best chance to start in week one. Whether it's in week one or week six, once he's in the lineup, he won't be coming out. Get your number 55 jerseys today, 12s.

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