Seattle Seahawks: Early 55-man roster predictions after the 2020 draft
By Samuel Teets
Offensive Linemen (10): Duane Brown, B.J. Finney, Phil Haynes, Joey Hunt, Mike Iupati, Jamarco Jones, Damien Lewis, Cedric Ogbuehi, Ethan Pocic, Brandon Shell
The Seahawks recently made moves to shake up their offensive line. The team released veteran center Justin Britt and guard D.J. Fluker. The moves cleared over $12 million in cap space and opened the option for Seattle to get younger along the offensive line. In a year where Germain Ifedi departed the team in free agency, Seattle’s offensive line could feature four new starters in 2020.
Seattle anticipates Brown starting at left tackle while Haynes and Iupati battle for the left guard position. B.J. Finney, who Seattle signed in free agency, should jump ahead of Hunt for the starting center position while Lewis walks into the starting right guard spot as a rookie. John Schneider, the team’s general manager, recently did an interview with KJR-AM 950’s Dave Mahler and Dick Fain, confirming that Lewis will start.
The right tackle position remains in flux. Ifedi held the role for several years, but he received a constant string of abuse and criticism from fans and the media for his poor play. The Seahawks made a lateral move by signing Shell to a two-year, $9 million deal. Shell started 11 games at right tackle for the New York Jets this past season.
That leaves Jones and Pocic assuming their usual backup roles. Whoever loses the battle between Haynes and Iupati will also head to the bench. Ogbuehi should see significant playing time, just not as a starter. He’ll fill a similar role to George Fant, occasionally subbing in for snaps at right tackle or adding a sixth offensive lineman to running formations.
Seattle’s depth chart is currently overflowing with offensive linemen. Under this projection, the team will cut Kyle Fuller, Demetrius Knox, Kahlil McKenzie, Jordan Simmons, Chance Warmack and Chad Wheeler. Simmons played for Seattle this past season, while Warmack is a former top-10 pick from 2013.