The Seattle Seahawks will host their third of nine total OTA practices on Friday. Head coach Mike Macdonald is fostering competition by hosting some seven-on-seven and 11-on-11 periods. Position battles are beginning to ensue ahead of training camp. We’ve identified some competitions worth monitoring on the offensive side of the ball.
Wide receiver
Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Cooper Kupp, and Marquez Valdes-Scantling will be the top three receivers. Is the returning Jake Bobo WR4, or can a rookie like Tory Horton or Ricky White III get into that mix? There are back-end roster spots up for grabs.
Tight end
The veteran Noah Fant will play a sizable role, but there are ascending young players behind him in AJ Barner and Elijah Arroyo. Barner enjoyed a quality rookie campaign, and Arroyo is a second-round rookie who projects as a mismatch weapon in the passing game. All three will vie for reps.
Right guard
The right guard position was a massive disappointment last season. Anthony Bradford and Christian Haynes return to the Seahawks hoping to prove they’ve taken developmental steps forward. Sataoa Laumea is another name to monitor. Rookies Bryce Cabeldue and Mason Richman are probably too inexperienced to compete for the starting gig, but they’ll attempt to complicate manners.
Center
Olu Oluwatimi is the hands-on favorite to start at center after being placed in that position abruptly following Connor Williams midseason retirement. The Seahawks also like Jalen Sundell, a second-year undrafted free agent. Sundell is growing into a useful blocker.
Swing tackle
Charles Cross and Abe Lucas are the starting tackles. The Seahawks desperately need Lucas to stay healthy this year. Veteran offensive tackle Josh Jones was signed to be the swing reserve tackle. Jones may not face much competition, with sophomore Michael Jerrell and UDFA Amari Kight on the offseason roster.