Seahawks lineman picked as biggest potential bust for Seattle in 2024

The Seattle Seahawks have much the same core roster as they did last year, excluding a couple of veteran off-ball linebackers and safeties. Their greatest strength is still their wide receiver corps, they're really strong in the backfield and their upgraded interior defensive line unit might well be one of the best in the NFL this year. Under the direction of new head coach Mike Macdonald and offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb , this team should soon be returning to the list of true contenders around the NFC.

One potential fly in the soup that could spoil the whole thing is their offensive line. From left to right, former top-10 overall pick Charles Cross is entering a critical make-or-break third season and could yet go either way. At left guard Laken Tomlinson is reliable enough but well past his prime. At center Olu Oluwatimi has almost no experience starting at this level and at right tackle practically the entire season hangs on the health of Abe Lucas and his knee that he had surgery on this offseason.

As dicy as all that sounds the situation could be even worse at right guard, where the team is currently projected to start second-year OL Anthony Bradford. David Kenyon at Bleacher Report has picked Bradford as the biggest potential bust for Seattle this year.

"Outside of left tackle Charles Cross, there's not much excitement for Seattle's offensive line. The unit, quite frankly, could be atrocious. I'll point to Anthony Bradford because of his pass-protection woes as a rookie, but he's simply one piece of a greater problem."

Bradford wound up being the weakest link for the Seahawks offensive line last year, and that's a really high (or low) bar to clear.  Incoming offensive line coach Scott Huff either has to get Bradford pass blocking at a much higher level, or he'll have to find someone to take his place in the starting lineup.

The hope is that third-round draft pick Christian Haynes out of UConn will take over at that spot sooner rather than later. So far Haynes has only been working with the second-string unit, though. Another option is 2023 undrafted free agent pickup McClendon Curtis, who worked with the starters earlier this offseason while Bradford was out with an injury.

Whoever it ends up being, the Seahawks have to get at least a passable level of play at this spot or else Ryan Grubb's extra-spicy deep passing attack will take a serious hit.