Seahawks 2024 Combine: Which Guard Prospects Could Solidify Offensive Line?

Potentially looking for two new starting guards next season, the Seattle Seahawks luckily have plenty of options to consider with a solid incoming draft class headlined by Jackson Powers-Johnson and Graham Barton.

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - Moving onto the next phase of a busy offseason, Seattle Seahawks general manager John Schneider and the team's personnel department have descended upon Indianapolis for the annual NFL Scouting Combine this week to continue evaluating top prospects for the upcoming 2024 draft.

Less than two weeks away from the start of free agency, each of Seattle's three projected starters at guard and center from last season will hit the market on March 13, creating questions about the future of the offensive line with a new offensive coordinator in Ryan Grubb calling plays. Away from four-year starting guard Damien Lewis, former fourth-round pick Phil Haynes and versatile center Evan Brown will also be free to negotiate with other teams.

If Seattle isn't able to retain Lewis, a massive hole will be left behind at the left guard spot, as only second-year guard Anthony Bradford currently is under contract and would be slated to play on the right side assuming Haynes doesn't return. The situation is a bit better at center, as former Michigan standout Olu Oluwatimi could be ready to jump into the starting lineup in his second season.

With festivities already under way, here's a look at 10 guard prospects who the Seahawks should be keeping close tabs on as potential first round, second/third round, and day-three targets in the interior of the offensive line:

First Round

Jackson Powers-Johnson, Oregon

While Powers-Johnson played center for the entirety of his lone season as a starter for the Ducks, he previously saw significant snaps as a guard in a reserve role. Anchoring one of the most dynamic offenses in college football, he didn't give up a single sack and a single pressure, playing nearly flawless in pass protection. Offering a blend of physicality and athleticism, he can create push at the line of scrimmage with power and has the agility and foot quickness to reach opponents as a zone blocker along with climbing to the second level to get his hands on linebackers. His lack of starting experience could deter some teams in the first round, but he has plug and play talent at multiple positions and upside to develop into a perennial Pro Bowler.

Graham Barton, Duke

Boasting rare positional flexibility coupled with a mean-spirited play style, Barton could cement first-round status with a strong showing in Indianapolis

The most versatile offensive lineman in the entire 2024 draft class, Barton starred as a guard at Ravenwood High School in Tennessee before moonlighting as a six-game starter at center for the Blue Devils in his true freshman season in 2020. Rather than keep him at the pivot position, the punishing run blocker transitioned outside to left tackle, allowing just four combined sacks in his final two seasons as a starter while earning First-Team All-ACC honors. Lack of length and questions about his ability to handle speed rushers off the edge likely will push him inside in the NFL, but his nastiness in the trenches and plus-athletic traits should suit him well for guard or center as a day one starter.

Second/Third Round

Christian Haynes, Connecticut

While the Huskies have struggled mightily in recent years, Haynes has risen above the ineptitude as a viable NFL guard prospect. After playing in two games as a freshman, the Bowie, Maryland product started 49 consecutive games in a five-year span for the Huskies, evolving into one of the country's most fearsome blockers. Aside from loving to shoot out of his stance and fire heavy hands into opponents as a drive blocker, he's a technician in pass protection, using his hands and feet in sync as well as any lineman in his class. Allowing just 15 pressures in the past two years combined, he answered questions about level of competition at the Senior Bowl and should be an early day two selection with the potential to sneak into the first round with a strong combine.

Cooper Beebe, Kansas State

A mauling run blocker who posted excellent pass protection numbers, Beebe might be the most pro-ready guard in this year's class

Another highly decorated starter with versatility, Beebe started 48 games for the Wildcats as a left guard, left tackle, and right tackle in five years on campus. Built with a thick, powerful 335-pound frame, he throws bricks for hands and consistently knocked opponents backward off the snap for a physical Kansas State rushing attack that ran more than 50 percent of the time. Light on his feet for a player of his size, he demonstrates good, yet unspectacular movement skills mirroring opponents, giving up just 28 combined pressures in his final three years as a starter. He has buzzed off arms and athletic deficiencies may be more of a problem at the next level, but he oozes toughness and plays with sound technique, setting him up to be an early starter in the league.

Dominick Puni, Kansas

Taking a unique path to the NFL, Puni originally began his college career at Central Missouri, a Division II program. After playing in just one game in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and injury, he transferred to join the Jayhawks and started 24 games in the Big 12, making a smooth transition to much higher competition. Stellar in pass pro both at left guard and left tackle, he yielded 16 combined pressures and no sacks in two seasons at Kansas, showcasing smooth pass sets with the ability to handle speed and power rushers. He isn't a body mover and has had issues maintaining blocks, which has led to occasional holding penalties. His athletic testing and measurements could play a factor where NFL teams see him playing at next level.

Brandon Coleman, TCU

The latest Horned Frogs lineman ready to take his talents to the NFL, the 6-6, 320-pound Coleman has played both guard and tackle at a high level against Big 12 competition, earning Second-Team distinction in 2023. A nimble athlete for his size, he played at his best in the run game as a zone blocker, offering the mobility to quickly slide out of his stance and consistently execute reach blocks. While he did a solid job of keeping speed rushers at bay upfield, he can get in trouble with technique, particularly getting his weight forward and stabbing at defenders without adequate balance, which led to 20-plus pressures allowed each of the past two seasons. Testing well could put him on the map as a tackle prospect, but guard may be his best fit at the next level with sharpened fundamentals.

Day Three Sleepers

Christian Mahogany, Boston College

A three-year starter for the Eagles, Mahogany has looked like an early round prospect for extended stretches, particularly in pass protection where his mobility and sound technique have allowed him to be utterly dominant shutting down ACC defensive linemen. Last year, he had a six-game span without allowing a single pressure and he didn't give up a sack all year. However, he has been far less consistent in the run blocking department, where opponents have capitalized on poor weight distribution out of his stance to beat him with quick counter moves. Given his pass blocking chops and glimpses of overpowering run blocking, he's likely an early day three candidate, but a strong combine could get him back into day two discussion.

Zak Zinter, Michigan

A key cog in Michigan's top-tier running machine, Zinter looked to be an early round pick before suffering a broken leg late in his senior season

A three-year starter for the Wolverines, Zinter likely would be in the discussion for a day two selection if not for a broken leg suffered late in the 2023 season. Prior to the injury, few guards in the country were more dominant in the run game, as he's equally adept at bulldozing defenders as a drive blocker and winning laterally as a zone blocker. Pass protection-wise, Zinter benefited from playing in a run-heavy scheme where he only eclipsed 400 pass blocking snaps once, but he has been incredibly effective setting anchor against power rushes and locking down counter moves, giving up just 36 pressures and three sacks his entire career. He won't work out in Indy, but could run at Michigan's pro day, making a jump back into day two possible.

Isaiah Adams, Illinois

Going the JUCO route, Adams committed to Illinois after one season at Garden City Community College and became an immediate starter at left guard, earning Third-Team All-Big Ten distinction in 2022. Opening up holes for future Bengals draft pick Chase Brown, he bullied defenders as a run blocker, playing to the whistle with nasty demeanor and a finisher mentality. He slid out to tackle as a junior, but his lack of lateral mobility showed up in pass protection, particularly allowing seven pressures in an ugly performance against Penn State. Playing inside would cater to his strengths at the next level as a run blocker while mitigating concerns about handling edge rushers with plodding footwork.

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Layden Robinson, Texas A&M

After a difficult junior season in which he surrendered 36 pressures and four sacks, Robinson wasn't necessarily on the NFL radar going into 2023. However, the 6-4, 315-pound guard made substantial improvements across the board as a redshirt senior, increasing his pass blocking efficiency by more than two percent. He has been vulnerable to twists and stunts throughout his college career and athletic defensive tackles have taken his lunch money at times as pass rushers, but he was more consistent last season and he's a plus-run blocker both in gap and run schemes with cement blocks for hands and a thick, powerful lower body. If he can mitigate athleticism concerns a bit in Indy, he could climb into early day three contention.