With Seahawks training camp kicking off next week, Seahawks.com is taking a look at 10 of the most intriguing storylines, position battles and players heading into the 2024 season. So far, we've taken a look at *special teams*, tight end, *safety*, running back, inside linebacker, receiver, quarterback and cornerback, and today we look at the offensive line and the battle for starting jobs at center and guard. Check back tomorrow when we wrap this series up with a look at a deep and versatile defensive line.

Key Offensive Line Additions: G Laken Tomlinson (free agent), T George Fant (free agent), G Christian Haynes (draft), C Nick Harris (free agent), G Tremayne Anchrum Jr. (free agent), T/G Sataoa Laumea (draft), T Michael Jerrell (draft).

Key Offensive Departures: G Damien Lewis (signed with Panthers), C Evan Brown (signed with Cardinals), G Phil Haynes (free agent).

In the process of assembling a standout 2022 draft class, the Seahawks used their first pick, No. 9 overall, on left tackle Charles Cross, then in the third round they picked Abraham Lucas, who went on to win the start job at right tackle as a rookie.

And when it comes to building a strong roster, being able to get two high-caliber tackles in one draft class is a big deal, and heading into their third seasons, Lucas and Cross are again poised to be key pieces of the offense, though Lucas is coming off a knee injury so his availability for the start of camp is not yet certain.

But while there is little mystery when it comes to tackle—veteran and former Seahawks tackle George Fant is back with the team and would take over for Lucas if he isn't ready when camp opens up—what is less certain is how things will shape up on the interior line.

Evan Brown, last year's starting center, signed with the Cardinals this offseason, while Damien Lewis, last year's left guard, got a big multi-year deal with the Panthers. And with Phil Haynes, who opened the season as the starting right guard, currently a free agent, the Seahawks will look almost entirely different at guard and tackle than they did a year ago. The only potential continuity with that group would come if Anthony Bradford, who started 10 games last season, ends up winning what is shaping up to be a competitive battle at right guard.

Bradford, a fourth-round pick last season, ended up starting 10 games at right guard, including the final six of the season, so he has a strong case for the job heading into camp. Also expected to battle for that job are Christian Haynes, a third-round pick in this year's draft, and McClendon Curtis, who joined the team early last season to provide tackle depth, but who has worked almost exclusively at guard this offseason.

The nature of offseason workouts, which feature pad-less practices and limited contact, as well as the fact that Bradford was limited in what he did during those workouts, means the competition at guard will really get underway in camp when padded practices begin.

"I think Christian's game is when pads are on, when he's moving people, getting to the next level, things like that," Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald said when asked about Haynes during minicamp. "Right now it's hard to feel the offensive line pushing the pile, moving the line of scrimmage. Hopefully we see that when pads come on."

Center, meanwhile, is likely to come down to a battle between Olu Oluwatimi, who started two games as a rookie, and Nick Harris, a free-agent signing who played for current Seahawks offensive line coach Scott Huff at the University of Washington. Left guard appears to be more settled than the other two interior spots, with veteran Laken Tomlinson, a former Pro-Bowl selection who has started 114 consecutive games dating back to 2017, looking like a safe bet to win that job. Tomlinson's signing came a month into free agency and, given the position he plays, may not have been the splashiest acquisition at the time, but considering what he will bring to the team both in terms of his talent and leadership, it could go down as one of Seattle's more important acquisitions of the offseason.

"It's a great signing," Macdonald said. "He's going to be in our leadership team. He kind of hits you right between the eyes, communication wise, which is what we're asking for. He brings a veteran presence to our offensive line, some poise. He's a guy who's seen a lot of ball, been in a lot of different systems, so I'm very excited about having Laken on our O-line."

Adding to the newness this year, in addition to the changes in the lineup, is the fact that the Seahawks have a new line coach in Huff as well as a new offensive coordinator in Ryan Grubb, who himself was once an offensive line coach before becoming a coordinator. Under the leadership of Huff and Grubb, Washington's line last year won the Joe Moore Award, which is given to the top offensive line in college football. And while plenty of credit goes to the players on that line, including 2024 first-round pick Troy Fautanu and second-round pick Roger Rosengarten, the hope is that Grubb and Huff can also help Seattle's line take its play to a higher level.

Only time will tell just how good Seattle's new-look line can be under a new coaching staff, but count quarterback Geno Smith among those who are optimistic about the potential for that unit.

"I think we got the right guys, right coaches, and it all comes down having the right mindset," Smith said. "The leadership is great. You got a guy in Charles Cross who's a great young tackle. We are getting Abe back. Got George (Fant) back in the fold. He's been great throughout his career. Getting Nick (Harris) here, guy who understand ball; he knows what he's doing. The guards have been doing a great job. Second year for AB (Anthony Bradford). Will be great to see how he can improve in his second year, and if they collectively come together, I think that group could be, as young as they are, I think they could be one of the best in the world."