Huard: Brandon Shell will have biggest impact of Seahawks’ OL signings

The Seahawks have been busy adding to the offense this offseason, primarily the offensive line.

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While many expected the defensive line to be the focal point of Seattle’s offseason plans, the other line has see more attention than any other position group.

The Seahawks have added nine players through free agency or trade ahead of next week’s draft. Six have been offensive players with four of them being offensive linemen. Those four linemen are right tackle Brandon Shell, offensive tackle Cedric Ogbhuehi, guard/center B.J. Finney and guard Chance Warmack.

Which of those four will have the biggest impact in 2020? While Finney has seen the most fanfare of those four signings due to his versatility at two potential positions of need, former NFL quarterback Brock Huard thinks Shell will leave the biggest mark of those signings next season.

“I think Shell is going to get first crack at that right tackle spot,” Huard told 710 ESPN Seattle’s Danny and Gallant on Tuesday. “I think he’s a guy who likes to be physical and get his hands on people and drive people and he fits and they paid him accordingly. They paid him the most of any of those guys.”

Shell, 28, signed a two-year deal deal worth up to $9 million. He is on track to replace Germain Ifedi, the Seahawks’ starting right tackle for the last three seasons, who signed with the Chicago Bears in free agency. Shell has starting experience, starting 40 games in four NFL seasons, including 25 the last two years at right tackle for the New York Jets.

“I would think he’s the first one to really project as your right tackle who’s started as a right tackle in this league and I think you’re really hoping he ascends into that role,” Huard said of Shell. “I think the rest, you’re trying to find a role (for them).”

Here’s what Huard had to say about the other three offensive linemen additions.

Cedric Ogbuehi

“He’s going to slide into that tight end role that they love and kind of have an opportunity to put on (former Seahawks tackle/tight end) George Fant’s old number and walk out on the field and say (this) tackle is eligible at tight end and whether that’s 50 times or 100 times or however much he’s going to do it over the course of the season,” Huard said.

Fant regularly lined up as a sixth lineman and helped in the run game tremendously. He signed with the Jets in free agency to be their starting left tackle.

Ogbuehi, 27, was a first-round pick by the Cincinnati Bengals in 2015 but never came close to living up to the hype. He was a reserve player for the Jacksonville Jaguars last year.

Chance Warmack

Warmack, 28, was a first-round selection by the Tennessee Titans in 2013. He 46 games in his first three NFL seasons and has battled injuries and been a backup since. He took all of 2019 off from football.

“Warmack is a flier that is a longshot to make the team, but (was) a guy who was very, very physically gifted and talented coming out of school,” Huard said of the former Alabama offensive lineman.

B.J. Finney

Finney could be a starter at either guard position, and he could also start at center if Seattle opts to cut Justin Britt, who is recovering from an ACL tear, in order to clear cap room. He has a cap hit of over $11 million per Spotrac.

Huard doesn’t expect Finney to play too large of a role next year.

“I think he’s just your man that can do a bunch of different jobs and play guard and center.”

Listen to Huard talk offensive linemen and next week’s draft with Danny and Gallant at this link or in the player below.

Follow 710 ESPN Seattle’s Brock Huard on Twitter.

More Seahawks offseason coverage

• O’Neil: Three things (I think) I know about the Seahawks’ upcoming draft
• ESPN’s Barnwell: Hawks still need to address the line of scrimmage
• Which running back could Seattle select?
• Clayton: Seahawks always face tough road in draft as perennial playoff team
• 2020 offseason tracker

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