The Seattle Seahawks have a clear and well-known need to upgrade the interior of their offensive line, both in terms of protecting the quarterback and supporting the run game.
With minimal action taken during free agency to address this issue, it’s likely they’ll focus on strengthening that area in the upcoming NFL Draft.
While Alabama’s Tyler Booker and North Dakota State’s Grey Zabel are widely viewed as the top interior linemen available—often projected as late first- or early second-round picks—another potential target for Seattle is Georgia’s Tate Ratledge.
Ratledge, who stands 6-foot-6 and weighs 308 pounds, started for three seasons at right guard for the Bulldogs and was named first-team All-SEC twice.
ESPN ranks him as the sixth-best guard and seventh-best interior lineman in this draft class, with most projections placing him in the second round. That could make him a strong candidate for Seattle’s selections at either No. 50 or No. 52 overall.
Nick Baumgardner of The Athletic recently praised Ratledge during an appearance on Seattle Sports’ Bump and Stacy, calling him “probably the best run-blocking guard in this class.” He added, “Ratledge did everything Georgia asked of him.
He’s a longtime starter, a big, powerful guy with huge hands and great explosiveness. He’s the kind of player who’ll win the battle in the trenches.”
Who is Tate Ratledge?
Ratledge, originally from Rome, Georgia, was poised to start at right guard for Georgia as a true freshman in 2021 before a foot injury in the season opener sidelined him for the year. Over the next three seasons, he started 36 games at right guard, including 14 during Georgia’s 2022 national championship run.
In 2023, Ratledge earned the 12th-best run-blocking grade among guards from the Power Four conferences, according to Pro Football Focus (PFF). He brings extensive experience in zone-blocking systems, logging 500 of his 901 run-blocking snaps in zone schemes — a strong match for Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak’s zone-heavy approach.
Although his run-blocking has drawn attention, Ratledge was also highly rated as a pass protector. PFF credited him with allowing just two sacks and 18 total pressures over his college career. He finished third among Power Five guards in pass-blocking grade in 2023, and fifth in 2022.
Ratledge missed four games last season after undergoing surgery for an ankle sprain, but showed no lingering issues at the NFL Combine. He clocked a 4.97-second 40-yard dash — fourth among 29 offensive linemen — and topped the group in the three-cone drill with a time of 7.38 seconds.
In his latest mock draft, ESPN’s Matt Miller predicted the Seahawks could select Ratledge at pick No. 50, citing his agility and explosive short-area movement — key traits for success in NFL run-blocking schemes.
Baumgardner agrees, saying, “Whether it’s outside zone or inside runs, I think he’s capable of handling both. If the Seahawks pass on an offensive lineman in the first round, he’s a name to keep an eye on.”
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