Field Gulls
Lucas is entering the 2025 season in a contract year... and also his healthiest year since his rookie season.
In a recent HawksZone Rundown episode, we sat down with Seattle Seahawks beat writer and Emerald City Spectrum founder Corbin Smith to dissect the Seahawks’ 2025 prospects, focusing on OTAs, the NFC West, the draft class, Sam Darnold’s potential, the running game, the offensive line, and paths to an elite defense.
Smith views OTAs as critical for sorting out the offensive line, where first-rounder Grey Zabel looks to grab the left guard spot and Bradford/ Haynes compete for the right guard spot. Abe Lucas starting OTAs healthy will be pivotal to protect new quarterback Sam Darnold and spark the offense, and Smith has a high opinion of Lucas’ ceiling for the 2025 season.
“I think Abraham Lucas, if he can stay healthy, I think he could be an All-Pro this year,” Smith said. “I am not exaggerating I think he could be an All-Pro. And if you look at it the one game he missed as a rookie, Seattle lost. Second year they had a losing record in the 11 games that he didn’t play in. Last year they had a losing record in the games he didn’t play in.
“When he plays they are a different football team,” he continued. “They are a much better running football team, just ask the Arizona Cardinals in that game in Glendale. Abe Lucas was just throwing dudes to the ground. They are a different team when Abe Lucas is out there playing the way he’s capable of. And look, I’ve seen him in person I don’t need to see the Instagram That dude looks like he was chiseled by the Greek gods. He is in phenomenal shape and he’s every bit 325 pounds.
“We got to see him play healthy and stay healthy but I’m really excited about him.”
Lucas dealt with a tendon issue that cost him much of 2023 and 2024, but he’s ready to rock and roll at OTAs.
Darnold, fresh off a 2024 Pro Bowl season (4,319 yards, 35 TDs), faces a shakier offensive line. Smith believes Klint Kubiak’s play-action scheme, with weapons like Cooper Kupp, gives Darnold a chance to match that output, provided he stays consistent.
Reviving the running game hinges on Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet, bolstered by Zabel’s blocking and Kubiak’s run-heavy system. Smith gave some additional assessment of the offensive line.
“I think they have the personnel for this scheme to be able to run block,” Smith said. “I love Grey Zabel as a move blocker. This is a great system for him And he plays with some nastiness, too. I think Christian Haynes has a really good chance to rebound. Whatever reason last year just didn’t work out, I thought he played okay when he had his opportunities. He had some penalties but I wish he would have gotten more chances last year but for whatever reason it just didn’t happen. He...
