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Seahawks Predicted to Replace Weak Link of Offensive Line with Indiana Star in 2027
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- Seahawks Predicted to Replace Weak Link of Offensive Line with Indiana Star in 2027
The Seattle Seahawks just kicked off their 2026 NFL season with a big win over the New England Patriots .
This is a team that has everything to play for in 2026, but it's never too early to begin thinking about next year's draft. The 2027 NFL Draft is expected to be loaded with talent, and if the Seahawks want to build a dynasty, drafting well is essential.
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On paper, the team doesn't have many needs right now. They'll also likely be picking at the end of the first round, so they could be in position to just take the best player available. There's no doubt though, that right now, the interior offensive line could be a spot to address.
In a recent mock draft, the Seahawks address this spot in a big way.
Seahawks Land Indiana's Carter Smith in 2027 Mock Draft
Indiana's Carter Smith (65) during Indiana University's football camp practice on Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026.
Luke Easterling of Athlon Sports recently published an updated 2027 mock . In this mock, the Seahawks are picking at No. 30, and they land Indiana offensive lineman Carter Smith.
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Smith plays tackle for the Hoosiers, but most evaluators agree the lineman will slide inside at the next level. The Seahawks could definitely use some competition for Anthony Bradford at guard.
"This offense has plenty of playmakers, but if the defending Super Bowl champs want to get the most out of them over the long haul, they could use another stud blocker along the interior," Easterling explained. "Smith has been a stalwart at tackle for the Hoosiers, but he projects better as a guard at the next level, where his toughness and physicality will still shine, while mitigating some of his athletic limitations."
As Easterling mentioned, Smith's toughness and physicality make him an ideal guard. The lineman also has plenty of experience playing against NFL-level competition, as this is his fourth season as a starter.
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In Seattle , Smith could immediately make Bradford a backup. Bradford graded out as one of the worst guards in the league in 2025, according to PFF. The guard had a pass blocking grade of just 32.3 , which was the worst mark of all qualified guards.
The rest of the Seahawks' offensive line ranges from "good" to "very good," so addressing this spot could make the unit among the league's best. The Seahawks just had luck drafting a guard early in 2025 with Grey Zabel , so going back to the well in 2027 would make sense.
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Sep 10, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
