Who the Seahawks could take on the offensive line based on NFL Draft decisions

With the NFL Draft lower than 5 weeks away, the 2025 draft appears like a fork within the street second for not simply the Seattle Seahawks, however for John Schneider. The success or failure of those alternatives, in addition to the need for these gamers to deliver an instantaneous influence, may make or break this franchise and Schneider’s future in Seattle.

All through the previous few weeks, we’ve got seen all kinds of mock drafts which have confirmed the Seahawks entering into a mess of instructions at choose 18. We’ve seen versatile linebackers, tight ends and DK Metcalf replacements mocked to Seattle each different day it appears. Heck, even final week I mocked Michigan’s Kenneth Grant to Seattle with their first choose.

Whereas I’d like to see head coach Mike Macdonald proceed to construct a championship degree protection with their first spherical choice, I believe the trail is evident as to the place the Seahawks are going with their choose in spherical one. I might be stunned at this level to listen to any identify aside from an offensive lineman with Seattle’s first choose within the draft.

The shortcoming in free company to lock up guard Will Fries was a disappointment, however the lack of any significant signings (sorry Josh Jones) has left many followers dumbfounded and anxious. We now have seen a number of free agent guards go to Seattle and go away to signal elsewhere. Final week in his weekly interview on the John Schneider Present, Schneider acknowledged that, “The draft is robust. It appears like a very nice group,”.

Now that may not imply a lot to some, however I took that as a fairly loud assertion by Schneider. Proper now, this staff appears like they might simply go 12-5 or 5-12, and hitting on an inside offensive line draft choose may go a protracted methods to hitting the previous. If Seattle does certainly assault the trenches early within the draft, these are the three gamers for 3 completely different draft paths that the Seahawks may take.

Choice No. 1: Stick and choose with Gray Zabel

Yearly the Baltimore Ravens “hit doubles” with their draft picks. At any time when they make their choice, everybody talks about what an ideal match and the way strong of a draft choose that’s. If Seattle decides to stay with the 18th choose within the draft, I imagine Gray Zabel can be that Ravens sort of choose.

Zabel, the perfect participant on North Dakota State’s FCS nationwide championship staff, is essentially the most versatile IOL prospect on this draft. At 6-6, 312 lbs, Zabel has over a 1,000 snaps at each the sort out spots, whereas additionally a small quantity of expertise on the guards and heart spot throughout his three years getting snaps for the Bison.

A star on the Senior Bowl, Zabel seems to be the a part of somebody that may deliver the angle and grit that appears to observe NDSU O-linemen, and he would instantly be the perfect IOL on the roster. The one knocks on him that I see are the truth that he performed on the FCS degree and that his arm size is beneath common.

Whereas arm size has been a sticking level for lots of prospects within the Schneider period, I believe that Zabel transferring away from left sort out and inside on the road negates that concern. As for the priority in regards to the competitors degree, have a look at the success that Cody Mauch has had in Tampa Bay. Mauch was a star LT for the Bison, was drafted within the seconnd spherical by Tampa Bay and has been a key contributor at guard for the four-time defending NFC South champs.

Zabel is healthier than Mauch based mostly on my analysis, and I imagine Zabel can are available as a Guard or (my desire) Heart and instantly change the last decade lengthy narrative about this offensive line.

Choice No. 2: Slight commerce again, draft Donovan Jackson

What makes this draft so nice for Seattle is the depth of expertise on the offensive line, and so if a chance offered itself, say the Chargers or Texans wished to commerce up for broad receiver, then Seattle may choose up a fourth-round choose probably, whereas additionally nonetheless getting an offensive lineman on Day 1.

On this situation, I imagine that Donovan Jackson slots in as the right choice. Jackson is without doubt one of the extra adorned offensive linemen to be getting into the NFL draft. With 40 begins underneath his belt, Donovan was Second-team All-Huge Ten in 2022 and First-team All-Huge Ten in 2023 at left guard. About this time final yr I used to be bummed he determined to remain at school, as I had him ranked as considered one of my greatest IOL choices for the 2024 draft.

As a substitute, Jackson and that Ohio State Buckeyes staff determined to return and went on to win the nationwide championship, with Jackson having a dominant season. The Second-team AP All-American and First-team all convention once more, Donovan was the arguably the perfect LG in his 5 begins on the place, earlier than being requested to complete the yr at LT for the injured Josh Simmons.

His first recreation was a begin on the street at Penn State towards some man named Abdul Carter. And whereas the Buckeyes received, Jackson gave up a few sacks and struggled. For the remainder of the yr, Donovan was almost good. Zero sacks the remainder of the way in which, and hardly any pressures allowed, whereas dealing with among the tough competitors attainable within the expanded playoffs.

I believed that Jackson was essentially the most spectacular offensive lineman in faculty soccer this yr, and he was the perfect participant not named Jeremiah Smith on the Buckeyes title staff. With 40 begins and confirmed versatility on the highest degree of school soccer, you may make a legit case he must be chosen at choose 18. I wouldn’t combat you, however I do imagine you may strive for a 4 to seven choose commerce again, and he may completely be there, throughout what must be the broad receiver run we’ll see within the draft.

Choice #3: Aggressive Day 2 commerce up, choosing Tate Ratledge

That is in all probability the craziest and most harmful route, so count on this to be the trail that Schneider takes. John has been adamant about sticking to a “BPA” mindset with the draft, and it has helped with some notable draft hits previously three seasons. Even with the offended mob of Seahawks followers that need an offensive lineman getting ready to bang down the doorways on the VMAC, Schneider may have an edge rusher, a large receiver (possibly a quarterback even?) ranked greater on his board, and go that route. Bear in mind, he believes the place is robust on this draft.

Whether or not you prefer it or not, this could create an enchanting storyline for Seattle heading into Day 2 of the draft. With picks No. 50 and No. 52, Seattle might be tempted to attend and hope for his or her man to be there, however I can’t see how that may be definitely worth the threat. That sort of roulette has LJ Collier written throughout it. No, you’d possible see the Seahawks must package deal a type of two picks, plus choose No. 92 or No. 137 to get into the 40’s or 30’s and get a man I believe might be a extremely good participant, and possibly even a greater chief in Tate Ratledge.

Ratledge is a nationwide champion proper guard with one hell of a mullet out of Georgia. When wholesome, Ratledge has been arguably the perfect guard in the perfect convention in faculty soccer. Sadly accidents have hampered and restricted his play at a number of instances all through his collegiate profession. Wholesome now, Tate was essentially the most spectacular offensive lineman on the mix and arguably the largest winner of the occasion.

Ratledge has all of the bodily instruments essential to excel in Klint Kubiak’s offense, and has all of the intangibles that you really want for a constructive locker room, whereas additionally bringing an angle and nastiness to area on recreation day, one thing I believe quite a bit Seahawks followers would agree has been lacking from the Seattle’s O-line for too lengthy.

Well being is one thing you want to be sure to’re snug signing off, as you’re in all probability going to must commerce as much as get this man. The opposite concern is that whereas he did do some drills at heart through the mix, he’s primarily been a RG, which is the place Christian Haynes was anticipated to get a shot with Kubiak in.

Like I stated, I’d be fairly stunned at this level if Seattle doesn’t draft an offensive lineman with their early-round picks, however don’t be stunned if we see two O-line picks within the first two days of the draft. I wouldn’t be surprised to see two of those three guys in Seahawks uniforms quickly.

Time will inform, however it actually appears like that is the perfect shot Seattle is taking to repair the offensive line in years. Hopefully, they select proper.