Seahawks ‘Optimistic’ Jalen Sundell Returns to Boost O-Line vs. Colts

Former undrafted signee Jalen Sundell won the starting center job over incumbent Olusegun Oluwatimi out of training camp. The former North Dakota State product started the season well, allowing zero sacks and just eight pressures in his first nine games this season.

Unfortuantely, Sundell injured his knee against the Cardinals in Week 10 and spent the minimum required stint on injured reserve, sitting out the previous four games to recover. Signs are pointing to him returning to action this weekend against the Colts.

Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald spoke to the media on Wednesday, indicating he was “optimistic” Sundell could play this weekend. Macdonald did not declare whether or not he would immediately slide into the starting center role again over Oluwatimi. However, the expectation is that he will play center this Sunday against Indianapolis.

While Oluwatimi has not necessarily been a liability at center in Sundell’s absence, his overall grades and metrics have not been as strong. His pass blocking efficiency sits at 97.3, compared to Sundell’s 98.7, according to Pro Football Focus.

Given that Sundell directly earned the job over Oluwatimi coming out of camp, plus the up-and-down play of the offensive line in his absence suggests his addition back into the lineup is a needed and necessary move. Film and team discussions suggest Sundell’s athleticism and fit in Seattle’s zone-based blocking scheme is a strength: he can reach second-level defenders faster and handle moving blocks rather than just anchoring power. That’s especially useful in pass protection and combo blocks, which the Seahawks use frequently.

However, it should be noted that Oluwatimi has garnered a better run blocking grade than Sundell, according to PFF. And the Seahawks have averaged 126 yards rushing since Oluwatimi replaced Sundell. In the nine games with Sundell before that, Seattle averaged 83 yards on the ground. Of course, that cannot be all attributed to Sundell. Many factors played into the rushing attack finally clicking in the latter half of the season.

On the pass protection side of things, Sundell was part of an offensive line that saw quarterback Sam Darnold get sacked only 10 times in the first nine games. He’s been sacked seven times in four games since then. Overall, the Seahawks are tied with the Broncos and Rams for the least amount of sacks allowed, giving up just 17 in 13 games.

In the unlikely, unanticipated event the Seattle decides to stick with Oluwatimi at center, some have speculated Sundell could replace Anthony Bradford at right guard. But Bradford has been playing some of his best football as of late, including giving up no pressures or sacks in a win over Atlanta last Sunday, with Macdonald telling reporters he received the highest grade of any offensive lineman coming out of that game, so a benching on that front doesn’t seem to be in the cards, at least for now.

However it plays out, getting Sundell back means the Seahawks got that much deeper along the offensive line for the stretch run ahead of a possible playoff berth. Sundell deserves the starting nod if healthy because he earned it, is more experienced this season in the role, offers a better scheme fit with superior athleticism, and helps preserve continuity and communication up front. That will certainly matter more and more as Seattle nears its first playoff berth in three seasons.