The Seahawks are experiencing changes in their offensive line this offseason. Charles Cross and Abraham Lucas are back at tackle, while Anthony Bradford returns after starting 10 games in 2023. However, the departures of Evan Brown and Damien Lewis led to adjustments in the depth chart. The addition of UConn guard Christian Haynes in the third round of this year’s draft further complicates the starting lineup, making Bradford’s position uncertain.

We touched on this in a recent analysis of the team’s offensive line, but an update from the end of minicamp offers a different perspective.

Last year as a fourth-round rookie from LSU, Bradford stood out as one of the bigger linemen in his class, weighing 332 pounds. He was considered a developmental prospect due to his strength and size, with limitations in natural athleticism and quickness. However, injuries to key players like Phil Haynes and Lucas pushed Bradford into a starting role sooner than expected. While he performed adequately, there was room for improvement, especially in pass protection where he struggled. Pro Football Focus rated his pass blocking as the 70th best out of 77 graded guards in the league.

In our previous analysis, we speculated about Haynes potentially taking over the starting position as a rookie. Haynes has experience at right guard, excelling in areas where Bradford struggles. His athleticism, quickness, strength, football IQ, and finishing mentality make him a strong candidate to secure the starting job in 2024.

During an interview with ESPN’s Brady Henderson, head coach Mike Macdonald stated that Bradford is “right in the mix” to start. Although Bradford was recovering from an ankle injury and missed parts of the offseason program, he returned to practice towards the end of camp. With his starting experience, he is likely to have a shot at retaining his position.

Another player to watch is undrafted rookie McClendon Curtis, who filled in during Bradford’s absence and received significant first-team snaps. While Curtis lacks experience, coaches have been impressed with his efforts during the offseason.

The competition for the starting job will escalate during training camp. Haynes will continue to adapt to the new system and challenge Bradford, who aims to showcase his development after a challenging rookie season. Curtis remains a dark horse candidate for the role.