BROCK AND SALK

Big Ray: How many Seahawks rookies can start on OL?

May 31, 2023, 10:54 AM | Updated: 11:02 am

Seattle Seahawks Evan Brown Olu Oluwatimi...

Seahawks offensive linemen Evan Brown, Olu Oluwatimi and Joey Hunt during OTAs. (Photo: Taylor Jacobs/Seattle Sports)

(Photo: Taylor Jacobs/Seattle Sports)

The Seattle Seahawks waited until the third day of the 2023 NFL Draft to select any offensive linemen, but just because those players were taken in the later rounds doesn’t mean they can’t contribute right away.

Can either of the two rookies the Seahawks drafted start on the O-line in 2023?

Huard: The strength Seattle Seahawks rookie DT Young must play to

That question was posed to “Big” Ray Roberts, a former NFL offensive lineman and current Seahawks Radio Network analyst, as he stepped in for Brock Huard on the Blue 88 segment Wednesday on Seattle Sports’ Brock and Salk.

Roberts said both Anthony Bradford, a guard out of LSU that the Seahawks drafted in the fourth round, and Olu Oluwatimi, the center out of Michigan that Seattle selected in the fifth round, will have a shot at winning starting spots out of training camp, but he believes Oluwatimi has the better chance to begin.

“It seems as if there’s an opportunity for at least Olu to start it at center and Bradford to be a starter at guard, but I think that if you want to kind of keep some of the continuity and kind of keep some of the progress you have going, I think it’d be good if Phil Haynes or someone else – a veteran guy – won that guard spot,” Roberts said.

More from Big Ray: Why new Seahawks center Oluwatimi can solidify OL

The 27-year-old Haynes, a fourth-round pick by the Seahawks in 2019 who played 15 games at right guard last season including three starts, re-signed with Seattle this offseason on a one-year deal. That gives the Hawks a solid option if Bradford proves to need more seasoning before being pressed into action.

Seattle has less continuity at center, however. Last year’s starter, Austin Blythe, retired following the season, and Evan Brown split time between center and guard with Detroit before coming to the Seahawks in free agency this offseason.

Roberts thinks the Hawks may have to take the early portion of the season to let their new linemen get up to speed and eventually find the best configuration to protect quarterback Geno Smith.

“I think Olu could have a good opportunity to start at center. If not, I think you’ll see them do what they did early in the season I think it was one or two years ago (when) they alternated some guys throughout the game to kind of get them some real game reps,” he said. “And then later in the season, I could see maybe Bradford having some starts.”

Listen to the full Blue 88 segment in the podcast below.

More on the Seattle Seahawks

Seahawks’ seventh-round RB Kenny McIntosh could have big role
Huard: How rookie Seahawks guard Anthony Bradford must improve
Three focuses for Seahawks rookie Derick Hall to develop
Jarran Reed talks Seahawks return, rookie DL and much more
Two areas where the Seattle Seahawks can take the biggest step forward

Brock and Salk podcast

Brock and Salk

Seattle Seahawks NFL Draft Jackson Powers-Johnson...

Brandon Gustafson

Brock’s Seahawks Draft Profiles: ‘The best center’ in the 2024 class

If the Seattle Seahawks want to boost their offensive line, Brock Huard wouldn't mind if they draft Oregon center Jackson Powers-Johnson.

10 hours ago

...

Seattle Sports Video

Video: Nelson Cruz reflects on his time with the Seattle Mariners on Brock & Salk

‘The Boomstick’ Nelson Cruz joined the Brock & Salk Show on Seattle Sports before throwing out the ceremonial first pitch at the Seattle Mariners 2024 season opener at T-Mobile Park. Cruz discussed his time with the Mariners, what retirement is like, and whether or not he would bring out the boomstick one more time before […]

13 hours ago

Seattle Mariners Mitch Haniger...

Mike Salk

Salk: Scars remain as Mariners return, but hope isn’t far away

As the Seattle Mariners return for 2024, Seattle Sports' Mike Salk writes about seasons, scars, frustration, hope and baseball.

1 day ago

Seattle Seahawks NFL Draft Payton Wilson...

Brandon Gustafson

Brock’s Seahawks Draft Profile: ‘Twitched up’ LB fills a need

Next up in Brock Huard's Seattle Seahawks draft profiles is a very intriguing defender in North Carolina State linebacker Payton Wilson.

1 day ago

Seattle Seahawks Sam Howell...

Brandon Gustafson

New Seahawks QB Sam Howell describes trade, his role and more

The Seattle Seahawks have a new QB in Sam Howell, and he joined Brock & Salk on Wednesday to describe the trade that sent him to the Hawks.

2 days ago

...

Seattle Sports Video

Video: Getting to know new Seattle Seahawks QB Sam Howell

What do Seattle Seahawks fans need to know about new QB Sam Howell? What will he bring to the QB room and competition this season? He joined the Brock and Salk show toady to talk about what type of QB the Seahawks are getting. Can he be a piece that helps this team get back […]

2 days ago

Big Ray: How many Seahawks rookies can start on OL?