For all intents and purposes, the Seattle Seahawks chose guard Beau Stephens out of Iowa with a fourth-round choice. The team valued the offensive lineman so much that general manager John Schneider traded up in the 2026 draft with the Cleveland Browns for a fifth-round selection and gave Cleveland a 2027 fourth-round choice.
Speaking after the draft, Schneider gave a simple reason why he made the move: "It was too big of a gap (between 2026 picks) and too much talent (with Stephens) there."
The risk in potentially not making a deal with the Browns was waiting until the sixth round in hopes that Stephens would be there, as Seattle had a couple of sixth-round choices available. The guard likely would have been taken before that.
Seattle Seahawks general manager John Schneider explains his Beau Stephens decision
In return for dealing the 2027 choice, Seattle might have found right guard Anthony Bradford's long-term replacement. Bradford is entering the final season of his rookie deal, and he has not been very good over the first three years. He is big and strong, but not athletic, and only does well when moving in one direction.
What helped John Schneider decide to give away one of the team's 2027 draft picks is that the Seahawks, with projected comp picks, could have as many as 11 selections next year. Dealing one of the mid-round choices isn't going to hurt the overall draft.
Stephens is 6'5 1/2" and 315 pounds, and didn't allow a sack in his last two years at Iowa. Obviously, not giving up a sack in college doesn't mean a guard is going to go to the NFL and immediately have the same level of success. Stephens might, but no guarantee exists that it will happen.
The guard also lacks high-end athleticism. He could play a lot like Bradford in that he is excellent when he has a defender in his face and can push said defender back, but if the defensive player moves much at all, or has much quickness, Stephens, like Bradford, may struggle.
He also has shorter arms, so his ability to grasp and control is limited. A smart NFL defensive player could give him problems.
But that's the bad stuff. The good part is that Beau Stephens has fantastic technique and will learn how to control the weaknesses he has and become better at what he does well. That is what helped him be a First-Team All-American in 2025 at Iowa.
As Lance Zierlein at the NFL's official website wrote, "Short arms, average athleticism and scheme-friendly surroundings could temper his draft slotting, but Stephens has a chance to eventually become a starter if he finds the right team fit."
That last part is ultimately what matters. As long as the Seattle Seahawks use Stephens' skill set wisely, and one can assume offensive line coach John Benton will, Stephens could be one of the steals of the draft. He should also be making Anthony Bradford very nervous.
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