Seahawks OT Abraham Lucas Set for Stardom in Year 2?
The Seattle Seahawks gave fans tons of pleasant surprises last season. Whether it was the career resurgence of quarterback Geno Smith, the out-of-nowhere rookie performances from running back Kenneth Walker III and cornerback Tariq Woolen, or, of course, the team's run to the playoffs, the Seahawks were one of the most interesting teams in 2022.
With so much to keep tabs on, it's a bit understandable why the play of rookie offensive tackles Charles Cross and Abraham Lucas fell a bit under the radar for the average fan.
But in regards to Lucas, Bleacher Report doesn't think the overlooking will be lasting much longer.
The site recently revealed its list of one player from each position that could burst onto the scene as a star next season, and tabbed Lucas as the choice for the offensive line. Understandably, Lucas had his own growing pains as a rookie, but still flashed the potential that could make him a cornerstone on Seattle's o-line for seasons to come.
Here's B/R's reasoning for pinning Lucas as a potential future star:
While left tackle Charles Cross earned most of the attention and praise after the team drafted him at No. 9 overall, the Seahawks also found a diamond in the rough with the selection of Abraham Lucas in the third round. ... The 6'6", 315-pounder has all the tools to be an elite anchor in the offensive trenches for the foreseeable future. Should Lucas lock in and perform more consistently, he'll be a star-caliber tackle in short order.
B/R points out that Lucas (68.5) out-scored Cross (63.7) on PFF's grading system, which is impressive considering Cross' expectations as a first-round pick.
However, the Seahawks o-line allowed Smith to take 46 sacks last season, which was tied for the second-most among all quarterbacks. Lucas gave up nine of those sacks while committing seven accepted penalties, showing obvious room for improvement.
But at the same time, Lucas was a key reason for Seattle's offensive success, helping pave the way for Walker III to run his way into the Offensive Rookie of the Year race while also protecting Smith, who set multiple franchise single-season passing records en route to earning his first-ever Pro Bowl nod.
With sights set on trending upward, the right side of Seattle's offensive line appears to be in good hands with Lucas moving forward.
You can follow Zach Dimmitt on Twitter at @ZachDimmitt7
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