To say the Seattle Seahawks need more offensive line help is simply stating the obvious. To say they may need to sacrifice talented players or draft picks is more controversial. That is currently the reality, though.
Seattle Seahawks Need More Offensive Line Help
With the injury to left tackle George Fant further reducing an already depleted offensive line, the Seahawks are in desperate need of aid. Many analysts rank their line near the last in the league. Last season, the Seahawks allowed the sixth most sacks in the NFL, even though quarterback Russell Wilson is one of the most elusive players in the game.
The Price Of Success
With the free agent market dried up, the only way to acquire a strong lineman is by offering talent at other positions. The only available free agent is New York Jets center Nick Mangold. Mangold is an aging player who is coming off injury, and would not be the best fit. He also commands a hefty $6 million per year salary. The Seahawks have largely resolved their salary cap problems, freeing up over $7 million of cap space this year. Adding Mangold would bring their salary cap issues back into play.
Fortunately, the Seahawks possess several talented young players that may help convince other teams with stronger lines to part ways. While the Seahawks definitely should not trade key veterans like cornerback Richard Sherman, as some have suggested, they could offer several young and talented players whose role with the team has not yet been established. In particular, running back Chris Carson and wide receiver Kasen Williams have looked incredibly impressive this preseason. Rookie defensive tackle Nazair Jones and strong safety Delano Hill have also played well this preseason. Given their sensational play last year, the team can definitely afford to release new defensive players. The Seahawks could also use future draft picks, or a mixture of both players and draft picks, as incentive to make a deal.
Learning From History To Avoid Repeating Past Mistakes
Many 12s may gasp at the prospect of losing potential star players, but a look down memory lane at last year’s broken line should convince fans to reconsider. The Seahawks only scored one touchdown in the first two games combined, the second in a loss to a hopeless Los Angeles Rams team. Even after overtime, the Seahawks couldn’t manage to score a touchdown in an awkward tie versus the struggling Arizona Cardinals. Late in the season, the team only scored one field goal against a weak Tampa Bay Buccaneers team. This list does not even include the countless three and outs and run-run-pass-punt sequences the offense produced last season.
The team already possesses many talented players at the skill positions whose talents cannot be utilized because the O line does not give them adequate time to operate. No one could have predicted the brilliance Carson and Williams have displayed this offseason. It is in the best interests of the team to take advantage of this unexpected luxury by trading for a strong offensive lineman in a situation that has reached emergency proportions.
Turn A Weakness Into A Strength
Potential targets include players from teams like the Washington Redskins and Miami Dolphins who are competitive and have good offensive lines. A player like Carson or Williams could provide the spark these teams’ need to energize offenses that sometimes struggle, but display potential. For the right price, the Seahawks may be able to acquire a high profile lineman like Redskins tackle Trent Williams or Dolphins tackle Laremy Tunsil. A reunion with former Seahawks center Max Unger, now of the New Orleans Saints, or tackle Russell Okung who now plays for the Los Angeles Chargers, is also possible.
A Step In The Right Direction
The team made the right decision trading for Philadelphia Eagles tackle Matt Tobin in a move that essentially cost the Hawks nothing. Tobin appears to be a viable option for the Seahawks. The Eagles have an excellent offensive line, and Tobin has started 21 games since signing as a rookie in 2013.
The team needs much more help, though. Even before Fant fell to injury, they lacked depth. Fans will be praying all season another injury does not befall the line. Both second year guard Germain Ifedi and rookie guard Ethan Pocic have struggled this preseason. Both are having a difficult time adjusting to the professional level, especially without the assistance of experienced leaders. It is irrational to expect young players to carry a team all the way to the Super Bowl.
The Hawks are capable of playing offense at a high level. With star players like wide receiver Doug Baldwin and tight end Jimmy Graham, there is no reason they cannot score over 30 points a game. The only factor preventing the team from playing well is its struggling offensive line. Offensive improvement is necessary if the Seahawks hope to win the Super Bowl. Trading young players is an unfortunate, but an essential solution to solving this problem.
