BROCK AND SALK

Hawk Talk highlights: Offensive line and the draft

Mar 26, 2014, 2:13 PM | Updated: 2:33 pm

...

By Brady Henderson

While wide receiver Golden Tate might have been the Seahawks’ most significant free-agent departure, offensive line was arguably the position that took the greatest hit.

17609049
Offensive line will likely be a focus for Seattle in the draft after losing Breno Giacomini and Paul McQuistan. (AP)

Breno Giacomini and Paul McQuistan were starters the past three seasons before signing elsewhere as free agents, and while the Seahawks’ drafts have proven to be notoriously unpredictable, it’s safe to assume that those losses will make offensive line a priority for Seattle if it wasn’t already.

The likelihood of Seattle addressing its offensive line in the draft was a topic during the latest edition of “Hawk Talk” with Danny O’Neil. The transcript can be found here. Highlights are below.

Noting all the pressure opposing defenses put on quarterback Russell Wilson last season, Masher asked if Seattle will beef up its offensive line in the draft.

O’Neil: That’s a great question. Protecting the quarterback has never been a strong suit for Tom Cable as an offensive-line coach. And as I think about it, they’ve lost two guys who started a significant number of games for the team. And Russell Wilson got hit a lot the first half of last season.

Doug predicted that the Seahawks will trade back to accumulate picks in the second and/or third round if the right offensive lineman isn’t available at No. 32 overall. Seattle doesn’t have a 2014 third-round pick, having traded it to Minnesota in the Percy Harvin deal.

O’Neil: The odd thing about Seattle’s draft history is that for all the success Seattle has had, it has been better later in the draft than it was earlier in the draft. And early picks on the offensive line have been inconsistent. Russell Okung (first round in 2010, No. 6 overall) was a great pick. James Carpenter and John Moffitt, chosen in the first and third-round respectively a year later, not so much.

Tacodile asked if trading out of the first round is a realistic possibility.

O’Neil: Absolutely, but the Seahawks actually haven’t traded back as often as I thought they would under general manager John Schneider. They traded back in the second round last year. And they traded from the second round to the third round in 2011, choosing John Moffitt. But going back to the first draft under John Schneider in 2010 when Seattle stood pat at No. 6 and No. 14, the Seahawks haven’t moved back as often as I expected.

JohnnyB noted that banking on rookie wide receivers to produce immediately can be problematic given the time if often takes them to come into their own.

O’Neil: Well, what about Doug Baldwin’s first year? He was an impact player, no? I don’t think that you bank on finding a starter in the first round, but don’t rule out getting someone who can contribute.

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.

1 day 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

Hawk Talk highlights: Offensive line and the draft