For the Seattle Seahawks, the offensive line has been in focus ahead of the 2011 NFL Draft. It starts up-front for the Seahawks offense, even with question marks about the running game and quarterback position. What good are the skill position players if the offensive line is unable to provide protection? With that angle in mind, plenty of 2011 NFL mock drafts have been looking at the big boys in the middle when it comes to the No. 25 pick in the draft.
The latest 2011 NFL mock draft from SB Nation follows the trend of projecting an offensive lineman to the Seahawks in the first round. The name floated by Brian Galliford is a familiar one, and could make an immediate impact for Seattle. The pick is Nate Solder, an offensive tackle from Colorado. Solder could slide in at right tackle, giving the Seahawks two young, talented tackles to build an offensive line around.
Solder is raw, but has tremendous upside and projects as an excellent bookend to Russell Okung.
The quarterbacks in the 2011 NFL Draft class all come with questions, so picking an offensive lineman may been seen as a safe pick. But Solder has the potential to be a game-changer for the Seahawks offensive line. With Okung looking like a solid contributor both now and in the future, the Seahawks need a bookend on the other side of the line. Sean Locklear has been much maligned in these parts, and it may be time for a youthful change.
If nothing else, Solder is a name to keep an eye on as the draft approaches. With just over a week to go, we’re nearing crunch time, and projections are starting to zero-in on the picks. Stay with our 2011 NFL mock draft StoryStream for the latest as the draft draws closer.