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In stunning fashion, the Seattle Seahawks stuck around at pick 58 in the draft’s second round, using it to select offensive lineman Ethan Pocic from Louisiana State University. Pocic, a 6-foot 6-inch center, will most likely kick outside to guard in Seattle - although he was announced as a tackle by Seahawk legend Jacob Green. Predominantly playing at center with LSU, Pocic actually ended his college career having played one game at right tackle, nine at right guard and 27 at center.
The Upside
Pocic gives Seattle two things that we know the Seahawks love in offensive lineman - versatility and athleticism - and unlike some of the other lineman brought in over the years, Pocic comes with real pedigree. He was a team captain for the Tigers as a senior, as well as earning First Team All-SEC and All-American honors during his final season.
Obviously, Pocic fills a position(s) of need and will give Tom Cable plenty of options up front; Germain Ifedi, Oday Aboushi, Ethan Pocic, Luke Joeckel and Mark Glowinski are all capable of playing multiple positions.
His impressive lateral agility is a plus in a division featuring quick, slippery interior rushers like Aaron Donald and Solomon Thomas; in Pocic, it looks like Seattle have hit on a position of need for the team, and a great fit for the NFC West.
The Downside
Despite his large stature at 6’6”, Pocic has relatively short arms at 33 ⅛” - nearly two inches shorter than the Seahawks’ ideal for an offensive lineman. His TEF score of 2.81 is the lowest of any offensive lineman drafted during the Pete Carroll era, but unlike the majority of the projects brought in during that time, Pocic seems to have the talent and football history to back up the deficiencies.
It’s hard to argue against an offensive lineman being added, but unless Jacob Green was correct and he projects at tackle, it seems as though the Seattle’s added the right position group but the wrong position. The team is crying out for tackles and may have added yet another interior lineman.