Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll says he wants to work on both sides of the line of scrimmage after the team takes care of their own pending free agents. That correctly identifies where this franchise can improve most, aside from some philosophical changes.
The bad news is that Seattle’s track record with evaluating offensive line prospects is horrendous to say the least. Since Carroll and John Schneider took over the only above average long-term starter they’ve drafted is left tackle Russell Okung – and that was 12 years ago. They have to keep trying, though. Hopefully some day soon those returns will improve – perhaps as soon as the 2022 NFL draft class.
One name to watch is Chattanooga’s Cole Strange. While he met with all 32 teams at the Senior Bowl, the Ravens and the Seahawks reportedly spent “a ton of time” with him, per Justin Melo at the Draft Network.
.@GoMocsFB OL Cole Strange stole the show at @SeniorBowl. He's a legit Day 2 pick after failing to land on the #NFLDraft radar prior to 2021. An incredible ascension for Strange.
Strange met w/ all 32 teams in Mobile. I'm told the #Ravens & #Seahawks spent a ton of time w/ him.
— Justin M (@JustinM_NFL) February 22, 2022
Strange (6-foot-6, 310 pounds) is a five-year starter who made the 2021 All-America First Team. He spent most of his college career lined up at left guard but also has some experience at center.
Here’s a few clips of his work during Senior Bowl week.
The competition is not too big for Chattanooga OL Cole Strange.
Won nearly every one-on-one matchup, showing excellent power, leverage, core strength and lower-half balance. pic.twitter.com/1uYOKZqUzq
— Gavino Borquez (@GavinoBorquez) February 2, 2022
Chattanooga OL Cole Strange does a nice job with hand placement and then controls the DL pic.twitter.com/TBRzxnRHou
— Billy M (@BillyM_91) February 2, 2022
This rep perfectly showcases Cole Strange from Tennessee-Chattanooga. Good snap to step quickness but base starts a bit too wide. Watch his hands fire into the chest plate of Travis Jones though. Despite giving up ground, he battles. He battled all week vs these guys. pic.twitter.com/VJjA7qUKPJ
— Russell Brown (@RussNFLDraft) February 7, 2022
