With the uncertainty surrounding the Seattle Seahawks offensive line, the organization is looking into the free agent portal for potential prospects to help fill in the spots they need to compete effectively this season. Per Tyler Forness of Sports Illustrated, the Seahawks are looking to host former Dallas Cowboys and Miami Dolphins Offensive Linemen Connor Williams at the start camp on Wednesday, July 24th.
Connor Williams To Attend Seattle Seahawks Camp
Former Dolphins and Cowboys free-agent center Connor Williams, who has started 77 NFL games, is scheduled to visit Tuesday with the Seahawks.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 22, 2024
The Seahawks lost two veteran interior offensive linemen at the end of the 2023 season to free agency, a season which had its ups and downs and culminated in a 9-8 record and finishing 3rd in the NFC West division. The Seahawks have looked to recuperate their losses by signing veteran guard Laken Tomlinson on a one-year contract, drafting former All-American Christian Haynes with the 81st overall pick in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft, and elevating two returning second-year O-linemen Olu Oluwatimi and Anthony Bradford in hopes that their elevation will pay off in the short-term and long-term for the organization.
Williams would be a great addition to the trenches, a former All-American from the University of Texas, in just two years with the Longhorns Williams was able to become a start as a freshman, earning a First-Team Freshman All-American tab and his sophomore year earning the coveted Consensus All-American honors. In 2017 going into his Junior year, Williams suffered an injury that sidelined him for the final seven games of the season, he declared in November of 2017.
Drafted in 2018 50th overall, he has never had less than a 77% snap rating in the 5,064 snaps he has had in a six-year career, completing all 1,057 snaps during his first year with Miami in 2022, he completed 497 snaps through 9 games with Miami in 2023 before suffering a season-ending ACL injury in Week 14. If he’s healthy and recovered and has a good camp, the Seahawks will have a solid veteran on their roster and stave off the pressure before beginning the 2024 season.
This potential boon to the Seahawks organization is promising, albeit if Williams is healthy, they need depth in the offensive line, they gave up 47 sacks total in the 2023 season, putting the offense in bad positioning and Quarterback Geno Smith at risk. Elevating two second-year Linemen could have some risk of inexperience at the pro-level. Having a rookie starting does not bode well for their potential to be effective. With the help of one signed veteran in Tomlinson, and potentially signing Williams, this will be an opportunity for them to help establish a culture in the trenches and positively affect the careers of the younger players on the offensive line.
This will ultimately set a tone for the Seattle Seahawks going into the 2024 season and build a connection with the offensive backfield. A great connection is needed between the Quarterback and his Offensive Linemen, Tomlinson and Williams are great players who have experience in well-connected Offensive Lines throughout their career. Suppose they establish their connection and build the trust of returning Franchise Quarterback Geno Smith, in that case, there is no doubt in my mind that the offense will be a well-oiled machine with the potential to go deep into the playoffs and complete a 180 turnaround from their abysmal 2023 season.