The Seattle Seahawks undoubtedly have a talented roster, but it is one with obvious holes that are likely to prevent them from joining the ranks of the elite in the NFC in 2024.
Despite landing one of the steals of the draft in selecting UConn guard Christian Haynes in the third round, one such weakness exists on the interior offensive line.
Even with Haynes' addition, the options at guard don't inspire too much confidence, but a bigger problem is at center.
Seattle looks set to start Olu Oluwatimi at center in 2024, despite the former Michigan Wolverine having started only one game as a fifth-round rookie last season.
Should the Seahawks indeed go with Oluwatimi at center, they will be betting on him building on some positive flashes he displayed in his brief time on the field in 2023.
In ranking each team's projected starting center, Pro Football Focus ranked Oluwatimi 30th. However, even while rating him as one of the worst starters in the league at the position, PFF provided reason for optimism around Oluwatimi.
PFF's Thomas Valentine wrote: "Oluwatimi barely featured for the Seahawks in his rookie season, appearing in just four games and starting one of them. However, his pass-blocking ability stood out, as he allowed just one pressure on 70 pass-blocking snaps. That earned him a 75.5 pass-blocking grade and the chance to start for the Seahawks in 2024."
Playing in an NFC West division featuring a ferocious San Francisco 49ers defensive line and a Los Angeles Rams front stuffed with talent even after the retirement of Aaron Donald, the Seahawks need their O-Line to hold up to have a chance of a quick ascension under new head coach Mike MacDonald. As such, Oluwatimi vindicating their gamble on the potential he displayed in an extremely small sample size would be extremely helpful.
