Seattle Seahawks: Predicting stats for every 2020 rookie
By Samuel Teets
Round 3: Damien Lewis, OG (No. 69)
Seattle used their third-round selection on one of LSU’s star linemen. While Damien Lewis lacks great mobility, he packs a punch and withstood beatings from some of college football’s toughest interior defensive lineman last year. The guard walks into a situation where he’ll hold a starting job as a rookie.
The Seahawks recently released veteran guard D.J. Fluker, which opened a starting spot at right guard for Lewis. The Seahawks also brought back Mike Iupati and the former Pro Bowler will compete for the starting spot at left guard with several other candidates.
Three or four candidates could battle with Iupati for the left guard position and a chance to serve as Lewis’ backup. Ethan Pocic, a disappointing second-round pick from 2017, will make one final run at recapturing a starting spot on Seattle’s offense before his contract expires. Chance Warmack, a former first-round pick who Seattle signed in free agency, should also get a shot at winning the job.
It seemed possible that Phil Haynes, who Seattle drafted in the fourth round last year, would split starting time at right guard with Lewis throughout the year. However, John Schneider, the team’s general manager, recently did an interview with KJR-AM 950’s Dave Mahler and Dick Fain and confirmed that Lewis will start at right guard while Haynes battles with Iupati for the left guard position.
The Seahawks want to get younger along the offensive line, and both Hayes and Lewis specialize in the running game. While Lewis’ role seems cemented before he even dons a Seahawks jersey, the other guard position remains in flux.
Projected 2020 stats: 16 starts