Zion Johnson
After being lightly recruited out of high school, Johnson took the long route to become a viable NFL prospect, beginning his college career at Davidson before transferring to Boston College. Quickly finding his way into the starting lineup at left guard, the 6-foot-3, 314-pound blocker earned All-ACC recognition each of the past three seasons, including in 2020 as a starter at left tackle for the Eagles. He accomplished this while playing in two significantly different schemes.
Further displaying his versatility, Johnson performed well at center during the Senior Bowl in Mobile, adding another feather to his cap heading towards the draft. A physical run blocker with sound technique who also excels off the field as a high-character individual and allowed just six pressures in pass protection as a senior, he has a chance to vault his name into first-round discussion if he tests well athletically at the combine. He may be well out of reach for the Seahawks, but if he does slip to No. 41 overall, he would be a home run pick to fill a significant void in the middle of the offensive line.
Luke Fortner
A key cog on a talented Kentucky offensive line for the past three years, Fortner played in 55 games during his time in Lexington, starting a combined 36 games at guard and center. Starring as a senior at the pivot position, he joined Kinnard as a First-Team All-SEC performer and received a stellar 85.1 overall grade from Pro Football Focus.
Though not the most physically-imposing blocker at 307 pounds, Fortner plays larger than his size suggests and can create movement at the line of scrimmage. He’s at his best moving laterally and in space, which would make him a perfect fit in a zone blocking scheme. Hand placement issues can be problematic at times for him in both pass protection and the run game. After spending six years at the college level, he may be a high-floor, limited ceiling prospect, but the Seahawks would take in a heartbeat compared to their generally subpar center play in recent seasons. He could arrive as a built-in starter in year one and give the team the long-term starting option they’ve sought for some time.
Dohnovan West
Injuries and COVID postponements limited West to just eight games total in his final two seasons at Arizona State, but when he has been on the field, he’s looked the part of a potential starter in the league. He became a day one starter as a true freshman in 2019 and while his team was limited to only a four-game season in 2020, he earned First-Team All-Pac 12 recognition.
Offering some positional versatility to play guard or center, West plays with excellent leverage, has desired lateral quickness and mobility skills for inside/outside zone runs, and exhibits quality body control at the line of scrimmage and second level. He’s not the most physically imposing player and at 300 pounds, he has had issues at times getting pushed around in the trenches and doesn’t always deliver enough pop on his strikes. With that said, his athletic tools and solid anchor against power rushes should make him a quality pass protector right away and allow him to succeed in a scheme featuring extensive zone runs.
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