The Seattle Seahawks made a point in free agency to bring in a new crop of offensive linemen, signing four new free agents while Germain Ifedi (Bears) and George Fant (Jets) signed elsewhere.
With Mike Iupati likely gone, and Justin Britt a potential cap casualty, this team may not be done shuffling things around in the trenches.
While the most pressing need is on the defensive line, the Seahawks will have their eye out for some big, run-blocking offensive linemen to pursue in the 2020 NFL draft, which is coming up in just two weeks.
One name to keep an eye on in LSU right guard Damien Lewis.
Lewis was second team All-SEC as a senior at LSU, helping the unit win the Joe Moore Award as the best OL in the country. He is a hulking presence who is known for his ability to move defenders backwards as a power run blocker.
Described as “a forklift dressed as a right guard” by NFL draft analyst Lance Zierlein, Lewis would be an immediate fit on Seattle’s run-heavy offensive front, especially in zone blocking schemes.
However, Lewis is slow and heavy-footed in pass protection, and his lack of length limits him to just playing right guard at the next level, and really only in specific offensive sets.
That could work for the Seahawks though, especially if they decide to cut D.J. Fluker to save room against the salary cap.
Lewis could easily outperform his current draft stock, which has him as a third rounder in most mocks. He’d have his work cut out for him in Seattle’s crowded o-line room, but his skill set matches what the Seahawks need up front, and he’s a worthwhile selection on Day 2 of the NFL draft.
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