Film Breakdown: How Gabe Jackson Levels Up Seahawks Offensive Line

Shortly after the Super Bowl, Russell Wilson took his frustrations about getting hit too often public. While trade rumors resulted, Seattle listened to its star quarterback's pleas by acquiring Jackson, who should provide an immediate upgrade as one of the NFL's most underappreciated guards.

Before the offseason had a chance to even get under way, Russell Wilson made waves mere days after the Super Bowl when he told reporters he was tired of being “hit too much,” which helped spawn months of trade rumors.

Speculation ran rampant about Wilson potentially being dealt elsewhere and his agent made matters worse by releasing four teams his client would be willing to waive his no-trade clause to play for. The Seahawks tuned out the noise, however, instead continuing to build their roster around their star quarterback.

Among the major moves made to bolster the roster for another run at a championship, general manager John Schneider shipped a fifth round pick to the Raiders for reliable veteran Gabe Jackson in March, instantly upgrading pass protection in the interior. He's expected to start at right guard, while second-year lineman Damien Lewis will shift over to the left side.

Since entering the league in 2014, Jackson has consistently been one of the best at keeping his quarterback clean. Last season, though he received his lowest pass blocking grade of his career (69.9) from Pro Football Focus and allowed a career-worst 26 pressures, he wasn't charged with a single sack and only yielded two quarterback hits against Derek Carr. It was the fifth time in his career where he surrendered one or fewer sacks and two or fewer quarterback hits, further illustrating his reliability protecting quarterbacks.

With a multi-year extension in tow, how big of a difference will Jackson make for Seattle’s offensive line? And will he provide the answer needed to keep Wilson upright more often next season? Check out my latest film breakdown as I take a look at his biggest strengths and weaknesses.


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Corbin K. Smith
CORBIN K. SMITH

Graduating from Manchester College in 2012, Smith began his professional career as a high school Economics teacher in Indianapolis and launched his own NFL website covering the Seahawks as a hobby. After teaching and coaching high school football for five years, he transitioned to a full-time sports reporter in 2017, writing for USA Today's Seahawks Wire while continuing to produce the Legion of 12 podcast. He joined the Arena Group in August 2018 and also currently hosts the daily Locked On Seahawks podcast with Rob Rang and Nick Lee. Away from his coverage of the Seahawks and the NFL, Smith dabbles in standup comedy, is a heavy metal enthusiast and previously performed as lead vocalist for a metal band, and enjoys distance running and weight lifting. A habitual commuter, he resides with his wife Natalia in Colorado and spends extensive time reporting from his second residence in the Pacific Northwest.