Offensive tackle will be a clear position of need for the Seattle Seahawks in 2021, with both Cedric Ogbuehi and Chad Wheeler set to hit free agency after the 2020 season. In Draftwire’s most recent way-too-early mock draft, the Seahawks make their first selection at No. 24, which likely puts them out of the range of top tackle prospects Penei Sewell (Oregon) and Walker Little (Stanford).
Although Texas’ Samuel Cosmi and Alabama’s Alex Leatherwood may well be available by the time that Seattle is on the clock, the Seahawks have other needs that they could potentially address in Round One.
Fortunately, the 2021 draft class contains a number of tackles that are flying under the radar and could end up as dark-horse pickups on day two or day 3 of the draft. Here are five lesser-known players that could be steals for the Seahawks
Abraham Lucas, Washington State
A redshirt junior at Washington State University, Lucas has a massive frame at six-foot-7 and 324 pounds combined with an impressive amount of burst off the snap. As a blocker, Lucas is very patient and knows how to channel his power where it counts. His technique is also solid, with good hands, fluid hips, and quick feet.
The main knock on Lucas-to-Seattle is that coming from Washington State’s “Air Raid” offense, he lacks serious experience as a run blocker, meaning that the Seahawks may have to do some work to get him ready for their system. However, Pete Carroll has never shied away from a project, and Lucas has all of the tools to quickly master the necessary skillset.
Dillon Radunz, North Dakota State
Seattle could get a potential steal in Radunz, who was a massive factor of much-touted QB Trey Lance’s success in 2019 by allowing zero sacks in 682 snaps. Radunz’s combination of size and speed allows him to easily track down defenders, and his impressive football IQ allows him to identify defenses and shut down the blitz with regularity. He continues to block until the whistle, which speaks well to his motor and work ethic.
In order to succeed at the next level, he will need to develop a bit more refinement in his technique, especially if he wants to alleviate concerns about his ability to perform well against higher-level competition.
Landon Young, Kentucky
One of the SEC’s top tackles, Young bounced back strong in 2019 after missing the entire 2018 season due to a knee injury. He started all 13 games at left tackle, compiling 64 knockdown blocks and only missing one assignment in 754 plays.
Young comes from a run-heavy offense at Kentucky, which has somewhat limited his experience in pass protection. He has good punch and great hands and often draws double teams due to his large frame (6-foot-7, 305 pounds).
Tyler Vrabel, Boston College
Vrabel, the son of Titans head coach Mike Vrabel, is an exciting prospect that should be even better in 2020 after his stellar first season in the starting lineup. He is patient with his punch and hand placement, using incredible grip strength and quick movements to stay square with his assignments.
Vrabel’s versatility should appeal to several teams, as he has shown that he can create opportunities in both the run and the pass games. He has fluid hips and a competitive mean streak that should make any defender wary, but can occasionally falter in his consistency.
Drew Himmelman, Illinois State
An absolute monster at 6-foot-10, 315 pounds, Himmelman is a lean but powerful prospect with a demonstrated level of success in both the passing and the running games. Illinois State running back James Robinson led the FCS in rushing yards twice behind Himmelman, which speaks to the latter’s skill as a blocker.
Himmelman knows how to utilize his tall frame and athleticism to his advantage, balancing explosiveness with leverage and good hand technique to keep defenders from bull-rushing the quarterback. His drawbacks include his age (he will be 25 years old as a rookie) and his relative lack of lateral mobility, as well as the standard “FCS prospect” concerns about the level of competition faced.
