RENTON, Wash. – It’s no secret that the Seahawks would love to add depth -- or a possible starter -- on the offensive line, so ESPN Insider Todd McShay has the Seahawks addressing that need in his first-round NFL mock draft.
If it ends up Seattle has the final pick of the first round (obviously, what they’re hoping for with a Super Bowl win) McShay is absolutely right about the Seahawks possibly grabbing Tennessee offensive tackle Antonio Richardson, a giant guy at 6-foot-6, 330 pounds and a man with unlimited, but unrefined, skills. Richardson is a junior who will enter the 2014 draft.
The Seahawks also would like to add a big, physical wide receiver, regardless of what happens with Percy Harvin, but Richardson would be a wise choice if he's available at the end on the opening round.
Seattle left tackle Russell Okung is a Pro Bowl player, but someone who has suffered through injury problems, including eight games on injured reserve earlier this season. Right tackle Breno Giacomini, who is making $4.7 million, is an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season. Giacomini missed seven games this season with a knee injury.
The Seahawks have two rookie tackles they like in Michael Bowie and Alvin Bailey. Both of them have played this season because of injuries to the starters. Bowie, a seventh-round pick, started seven games while Giacomini was out. Bailey, a free agent from Arkansas, has played as a backup at tackle and guard.
So Seattle already was planning for the future on the offensive line, but the chance to add a quality offensive tackle in the first round next year is a good possibility.