As a long-time NFL draft analyst, my specialty lies with personnel. I'm always going to be on the side of adding the latest, greatest (and cheapest, youngest) prospects at any position via the draft.
As such, if the Seahawks opt to use their top pick on one of the three guards I view as first round worthy – LSU's Will Campbell, Alabama's Tyler Booker or Ohio State's Donovan Jackson – I'll be among the first to celebrate the selection.
Similarly, if my top-rated offensive tackles – Ohio State's Josh Simmons or Missouri's Armand Membou – surprisingly slip to No. 18 overall, they'd certainly qualify as the Best Player Available and would give the Seahawks a lot of flexibility with Cross and Lucas nearing the end of their respective rookie contracts.
I also happen to really like this year's free agent class of guards. Even with perennial All-Pro Trey Smith already resigning with the Kansas City Chiefs, guard remains the most talented and deepest positional group in free agency this year. There are multiple starting caliber players available that the Seahawks could target if they chose to prioritize that position.
But frankly, I believe the Seahawks could "stand pat" and still see significant improvement from their front five.
That is how much faith I have in the talent – players and coaches - already on Seattle's roster.
Further, it is an acknowledgement of the fact that many of the blockers deemed "busts" by frustrated Seahawks fans have gone on to sign significant deals in free agency and prove quality starters elsewhere.
Just in the past decade, for example, I've watched the Seahawks draft and develop young blockers like Mark Glowinski (fourth round, 2015), Germain Ifedi (first round, 2016), Ethan Pocic (second round, 2017) and Damien Lewis (third round, 2020) only to see them play their best, most consistent NFL football somewhere other than Seattle.
The cohesion needed for a quality offensive line requires talent, technique and time.
The Seahawks have accomplished the first two. Maybe all they now need is a little patience.