The Seattle Seahawks had a huge need along the interior of their offensive line coming into the NFL Draft. John Schneider knew it. Seahawks fans knew. And yet somehow the rest of the NFL let perhaps the best true offensive guard in the entire 2024 NFL Draft fall to the Seahawks at pick 81 overall in the third round.
The Seahawks did sign Laken Tomlinson in free agency, so they did have some proven experience at guard. Anthony Bradford was one of the worst offensive guards in the league last year, so there was no way they were going to run it back with him. The team still may need to make a move at center too, but Christian Haynes finishes off the Seahawks' need at guard.
Christian Haynes, OG Connecticut
Christian Haynes logged over 3300 snaps at right guard for Connecticut and essentially played nowhere else in college. That makes him the most experienced offensive guard in the entire 2024 NFL Draft. And he isn't just experienced. He's an elite, dominant force with a nearly flawless track record.
Since 2021 Haynes has posted a 99th percentile pass block efficiency rating and pass block win rate among offensive guards. He's only allowed three sacks in the last three seasons. Haynes is simply one of the best pass protectors out there.
Despite playing at a lower level in college, Haynes is a top tier athlete too. He posted a 95th percentile Athletic Composite Score at the NFL Combine this spring at 6'3", 317 pounds. He ran a 5.03-second forty yard dash, crushed 25 reps in the bench press at 225 pounds, and then posted a Burst Score over the 80th percentile too.
Christian Haynes fit with the Seahawks
The offensive tackles should both be rather strong for Seattle in Charles Cross (2022 first round pick) and Abraham Lucas (who has exceeded expectations). For now, the incredibly inexperienced Olu Oluwatimi is the starting center. Laken Tomlinson is the left guard. That leaves Christian Haynes to plug right in to his prime spot at right guard. He'll start immediately, no doubt about it.
Be looking for more Seattle Seahawks coverage here at A to Z Sports all year long! Follow me (@FF_TravisM) and A to Z Sports (@AtoZSportsNFL) on X for all the latest football news!
And if you want to watch some Christian Haynes highlights to get pumped for his NFL future with the Seattle Seahawks just check out the video below!
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