Seahawks take standout WSU OT Abraham Lucas in 3rd round

The Seahawks drafted their apparent long-term left tackle in Charles Cross in the first round. A day later, they got their apparent long-term right tackle with Abraham Lucas, who was a standout at the spot for the Washington State Cougars.

Draft Reaction: Seahawks insiders break down each of the Day 2 picks

Lucas, a local product who was raised in Everett and went to Archbishop Murphy High School, was selected 72nd overall in the 2022 NFL Draft by the Seahawks in the third round Friday.

A redshirt his first year on campus in Pullman, Lucas blossomed into a four-year starter at right tackle for the Cougars. Like new linemate Cross, Lucas played for head coach Mike Leach in college. Cross played for Leach over the last two years at Mississippi State while Lucas was recruited by Leach at WSU and was on campus with him for four years, three of which were seasons he started and played in.

Lucas was regularly one of the Pac-12’s best players, earning second-team all-conference honors each of his first three seasons and first-team honors in 2021, a season in which he did not allow a single sack in pass protection.

Lucas, like Cross, is a tall and long offensive tackle prospect. Lucas stands 6-foot-6, weighs in at 315 pounds and has 33 7/8-inch arms, per his NFL Scouting Combine measurements.

At the combine, Lucas ran the 40-yard dash in 4.92 seconds, which was tied for fifth-fastest among all offensive lineman to run the drill.

“Teams will need to balance the run game limitations against his potential success in pass protection when placing draft value on Lucas,” NFL.com draft analyst Lance Zierlein wrote. “He’s too upright as a drive blocker and too lumbering to get to lateral and second-level blocks. In pass protection, however, his length and power make him a wider target to circumvent for rushers, while his patience and core strength make him tougher to counter.”

Like many recent Seahawks draft picks, Lucas is a Senior Bowl alum. The Senior Bowl is a week of practices as well as a game for draft-eligible seniors. The event is conducted by Jim Nagy, a former Seahawks scout.

The @seniorbowl is looking live at @WSUCougarFB vs @USC_FB. Washington State OT Abraham Lucas got more draft buzz a year ago than he’s getting now & it makes no sense. Former NFL OL Terrence Metcalf, our PNW scout who took this clip, just texted a described Lucas as “a monster”. pic.twitter.com/sn1V7Jjm16

— Jim Nagy (@JimNagy_SB) September 18, 2021

Lucas and Cross join a Seahawks offensive line room that, entering the 2022 NFL Draft, didn’t have much depth at tackle. The only tackles on the roster prior to the draft were 2021 sixth-round pick Stone Forsythe and 2021 undrafted rookie free agents Jake Curhan and Greg Eiland. Forsythe saw limited action as a rookie while Curhan saw time at right tackle and guard, making five starts for the Seahawks. Duane Brown and Brandon Shell, Seattle’s 2021 starters at the position, are unrestricted free agents.

Cross appears to be a lock to start at left tackle immediately while Lucas now will likely compete with Curhan and Forsythe for the opposite starting role in 2022.

More Seahawks draft selections

• Seattle selects Mississippi State OT Charles Cross at No. 9 overall
• Hawks add Minnesota DE Boye Mafe with 40th pick
• Hawks draft Michigan State RB Kenneth Walker at 41
• Seahawks add to secondary in fourth with Cincy CB Coby Bryant
• Seattle nabs long, speedy UTSA CB Tariq Woolen in fifth round
• Hawks pick Ohio State edge rusher Tyreke Smith in fifth
• Hawks end draft with 2 WRs in Rutgers’ Melton, Lenoir-Rhyne’s Young

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