We’ve seen what Jalen Sundell has to offer. Now there’s an opportunity for Olu Oluwatimi to start at center.
Will the Seahawks feel like they have their guy by the end of the year?
It’s a position where they could do with some consistency. They’ve changed to a different starter at center in each of the last five seasons.
The NFL is not flush with great centers and I’m not convinced it’s a position where greatness is necessary. Mere competence might be enough. Even so, the Seahawks surely want to end the constant chopping and changing they’ve gone through.
They should know what they’ve got on the roster by the spring. If they wanted to make a commitment to a young starter for the long haul as a sixth new starter in as many years, they’ll have the information to back that decision up.
Iowa’s Logan Jones played very well against Oregon at the weekend. He controlled several reps against slightly overrated defensive tackle A’Mauri Washington and showed a good understanding of the offense combined with physical tools.
He drives defenders off the line and angles opponents to stretch out lanes. His combo-blocking is good and he can reach up to next-level blockers. He can get out on the pull and hit blocking targets in space. There is evidence of finishing blocks on tape. If there’s one thing I would like to see from time-to-time it’s better hand-placement to help control blocks in pass-pro.
Jones is reportedly capable of jumping a near 37-inch vertical, running a 1.53 10-yard split and a 4.09 short shuttle. This is the kind of profile that the NFL’s best possess.
He is college football’s highest graded zone-blocker at center this season, having been the second best zone blocker a year ago. He’s played in 46 games for Iowa in a system that focuses a lot on zone concepts. There’s a good chance he’d fit seamlessly into Seattle’s scheme.
The center position isn’t typically drafted early. Two former blog favourites we talked up a lot who’ve gone on to have very good careers — Erik McCoy and Creed Humphrey — were taken 48th and 63rd overall respectively. Tyler Linderbaum, another former Iowa center, had everything physically and still lasted to the 25th pick and was only the third interior lineman taken after Kenyon Green and Zion Johnson in 2022.
For what it’s worth, Linderbaum is set to be a free agent in the off-season. The home-run move would be to sign him. The Ravens would be crazy to let him walk though — and almost certainly won’t allow him to get away.
Jones could provide a projectable alternative with a similar testing profile.
I’m not sure how early John Schneider would be comfortable taking a center like Jones but we have to remember that the 2026 draft class is, to put it bluntly, crap. It’s why people are desperately trying to inflate Fernando Mendoza leading a game-winning drive against 3-6 Penn State. There’s hardly any top-end quality, especially at quarterback. The talent and depth is badly lacking. Anyone who has a good game these days is getting elevated.
If there was ever a draft to write-off and make some bold veteran trades, this is the one.
The whole league will be aware of that though, lessening the value of 2026 picks. As much as teams might want to trade away their stock, the reality is that from as early as about pick #15 you might be seeing teams forcing themselves to take a player who presents very little value per grading.
We might see players with legit third round grades taken in the 40’s. That’s how bad it’s looking.
In a situation like this, just getting a scheme-fit O-liner with high potential might be an understandable move. It could be Jones or someone like Brian Parker, Gennings Dunker or Austin Siereveld — all tackles expected to kick inside.
It’s up to Oluwatimi to show what he can do and possibly make this a moot point. Or has Sundell already earned enough faith pre-injury? If they need a center for the next few years, keep an eye on Jones. He’s a solid prospect with a lot of upside.
If you missed my stream with Jeff Simmons earlier today, check it out below:
