For a minute there it looked like the Seahawks had a solid foundation to finally build a strong offensive line around. The 2022 draft class appeared to net them the unthinkable: two long-term starters to bookend their front line with Mississippi State's Charles Cross at left tackle and Washington State's Abe Lucas on the other side.
Both Cross and Lucas showed a ton of potential as rookies, but the 2023 campaign was not kind to either one of them. The worst of it was for Lucas, who wound up missing 11 games due to chronic knee pain which required him to have surgery this offseason for. On the blindside, Cross did little to show improvement from his rookie year, especially in pass protection. As a result, Geno Smith was as hurried and harassed as any QB in the league most of the time last season.
The interior wasn't much better, but at least that's been overhauled. Heading into the 2024 season Seattle will have new starters at left guard, center and right guard. Only Laken Tomlinson's position at left guard is secure, though. The starting center job could go to either Olu Oluwatimi or Nick Harris, neither of whom have much experience at this level, and the right guard spot could go to Anthony Bradford, Christian Harris or McClendon Curtis.
Add it all up and it's a whole lot of uncertainty for a unit that became a punchline during the Pete Carroll era. At least for the foreseeable future, this group will continue to be a liability for the Seahawks. Once again Pro Football Focus has Seattle's offensive line ranked near the bottom. This year they're at No. 31 going in:
"Seattle battled offensive line injuries and their young offensive tackle duo did not necessarily make any expected improvements in 2023. And this season could be even worse. The Seahawks moved on from starters Evan Brown and Damien Lewis, and their interior trio consists of former backups — Olusegun Oluwatimi and Anthony Bradford — and a former first-round pick who had a couple of recent disappointing seasons in Laken Tomlinson. They will desperately need offensive tackles Charles Cross and Abraham Lucas to reach the potential they flashed in their rookie seasons."
Needless to say this is far from ideal. As amazing as Geno Smith was at escaping sacks last year he shouldn't be asked to have to run for his life every other snap. Russell Wilson's unique style of play is another story - in Smith's case he is extremely decisive and quick to release - these issues are purely about pass protection, not hanging onto the ball too long.
The hard truth is until general manager John Schneider makes a genuine and sustained investment in this unit - either through bucking history and drafting good linemen, or paying proven veterans - this offensive line will keep costing the Seahawks close games. He hasn't exactly been dealt a winning hand but until then much will depend on how well new offensive line coach Scott Huff does his job.
