The Seahawks may have identified their Austin Blythe center replacement. They are signing former Lions starter Evan Brown, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com tweets.
It is a one-year deal, per KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson (on Twitter). This move comes minutes after the Lions agreed to a deal to bring back one of their former interior O-line starters (Graham Glasgow). Brown started 24 games for the Lions — both at center and guard — from 2021-22.
With his starting role in Detroit in jeopardy given Glasgow’s arrival, Brown will move to his fifth career NFL franchise. The 26-year-old also has experience with the Dolphins, Giants and Browns preceding his two-plus-year stint in the Motor City.
Brown originally received more favorable PFF grades for his pass protection than his run blocking, including an impressive 80.1 grade in the former category in 2020. Recently, however, his metrics have shifted, and he has graded out better in the run game while struggling in protection. He earned a PFF rating of just 45.5 in pass protection in 2022, after being charged with two sacks and 22 pressures allowed.
In spite of those struggles, the former UDFA will bring experience to Seattle as the Seahawks look to replace Blythe (who retired at the end of the season) individually but also maintain their success on offense from 2022 in general. Improved play up front was a key factor in the Seahawks’ top-10 scoring unit, which included a pair of rookie tackles in Charles Cross and Abraham Lucas.
With Brown in place, Seattle will have an experienced option in the middle of its re-vamped O-line. He will likely compete with former sixth-rounder Joey Hunt for the No. 1 center spot or with veteran Phil Haynes at the right guard position. Seattle will have a number of options up front, regardless of what other depth is added in the coming weeks.
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