Seahawks sign another O-lineman in Kahlil McKenzie
Apr 20, 2020, 2:50 PM | Updated: 7:20 pm
Kahlil McKenzie transitioned from defensive tackle to offensive guard after college. (Getty)
(Getty)
The Seahawks are continuing to stockpile options for their offensive line in 2020.
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The latest addition came Monday in Kahlil McKenzie, who most recently played for both the DC Defenders and Los Angeles Wildcats of the XFL.
The son of former NFL linebacker, ex-Raiders general manager and current Dolphins senior personnel executive Reggie McKenzie, Kahlil McKenzie grew up in Green Bay, Wisc., where his dad spent 17 years with the Packers either on the coaching staff or in the front office.
McKenzie, 23, played in college for Tennessee, spent time in 2018 with the Kansas City Chiefs and was with the Seahawks practice squad in 2019.
The Chiefs selected the 6-foot-3, 320-pound McKenzie in the sixth round of the 2018 NFL Draft. A defensive tackle in college, Kansas City transitioned him to offensive guard.
Though McKenzie spent his entire rookie with Kansas City, he never appeared in an NFL game and was cut prior to the 2019 season.
Chiefs general manager Brett Veach spoke about McKenzie not making the team’s 53-man roster last fall, according to USA Today’s Chiefs Wire.
“Khalil did a good job and as you guys know he played defense at Tennessee and he has the pedigree in his family background that suggested the transition would be something he could take to,” Veach said. “He made really good improvements and strides from year one to year two. I think he’s still on the upswing. … Nothing but positive on Kahlil, he’s done a great job and continues to get better. We will see how this goes and maybe he will be back here.”
The addition of McKenzie gives Seattle 18 offensive linemen going into the offseason program. The Seahawks are also expected to be looking for offensive line help in this week’s NFL Draft.
More Seahawks offseason coverage
• Clayton: Why Seahawks have found success with draft-day trades
• What if top RB D’Andre Swift is still available when Hawks pick at 27?
• Will the Seahawks trade down? Draft expert Tony Pauline thinks so
• What can the Seahawks do in the draft to maximize Wilson’s talent?
• Offseason tracker: All Hawks additions, departures and remaining free agents
