Round 6: Seahawks take OL Kristjan Sokoli at No. 214

RENTON – The next J.R. Sweezy?

That’s what Seattle is hoping for with Kristjan Sokoli, a defensive tackle from Buffalo that the Seahawks drafted in the sixth round with the intention of converting him to an offensive lineman.

The Seahawks did it three years ago with Sweezy, who’s been their starting right guard since. They’re attempting to do it again with Sokoli, who was the third offensive lineman Seattle drafted this year following the fourth-round selections of Terry Poole and Mark Glowinski.

The Seahawks aren’t sure where exactly each player will ultimately stick at, but coach Pete Carroll said Soloki will begin at center with Poole and Glowinski at both guard spots.

Sokoli said Seattle was the only team that expressed interest in converting him to an offensive lineman.

“Honestly, I think (offensive line coach) Tom Cable saw my competitive spirit and my willingness to fight and learn and give everything I’ve got and just be a worker,” he said. “I’m a firm believer that where there’s a will, there’s a way.”

Sokoli has an interesting personal story. He was born in Albania and moved to the United States when he was 9 years old amid political unrest in his home country. His parents came over separately a few years before that, which forced Sokoli to live with his uncles and cousins before he and his brother were able to make the move themselves.

“It was an extremely hard and stressful process for me and my family,” he said, “but thankfully, since about the middle of high school we’ve all had citizenship and we’re very proud American citizens.”