Seahawks draft primer part 4: Offensive line

This is the fourth part of an eight-part series examining each position in the NFL draft and what the Seattle Seahawks’ needs are at those positions. The players listed are the top prospects in the draft at their positions, with their college, height and weight provided:

TACKLES

1. Laremy Tunsil, Mississippi, 6-5, 310

2. Ronnie Stanley, Notre Dame, 6-6, 312

3. Jack Conklin, Michigan State, 6-6, 308

4. Taylor Decker, Ohio State, 6-7, 310

5. Jason Spriggs, Indiana, 6-6, 301

GUARDS

1. Cody Whitehair, Kansas State, 6-4, 301

2. Germain Ifedi, Texas A&M, 6-6, 324

3. Joshua Garnett, Stanford, 6-4, 312

CENTERS

1. Ryan Kelly, Alabama, 6-4, 311

2. Nick Martin, Notre Dame, 6-4, 299

3. Max Tuerk, USC, 6-5, 298

Seahawks’ situation: Everyone from Mel Kiper Jr. to Joe Schmo on the street says offensive line is Seattle’s biggest priority. The Seahawks’ offensive line wasn’t highly regarded, and that was before the loss of left tackle Russell Okung and right guard J.R. Sweezy to big-money free-agent contracts. Seattle’s dip into the free-agent market landed budget-option tackles J’Marcus Webb and Bradley Sowell, and left tackle in particular remains a major concern — the first option for protecting quarterback Russell Wilson’s blind side seems to be switching right tackle Garry Gilliam, who only became a starter last season, to the left. Seattle is certain to use some of its picks on offensive linemen, and with tackle being a deep position in the draft there’s a good chance the Seahawks will pick a tackle with their first selection.