The Seattle Seahawks needed to address their issues on the interior of their offensive line in the 2025 NFL draft. Most 12s did not expect that to happen in the first round, most likely. General manager John Schneider does not have a habit of taking a guard or center, players he sees as over-drafted and, eventually, overpaid.
Still, while most national pundits and even Seahawks fans have no real clue what Schneider is going to do, the good news is that Schneider does. Maybe his best hopes for what he would find at pick 18 didn't include an IOL, but Seattle's pre-draft board is solid. Seattle is going to do what it does, regardless of what people think it should do.
In other words, Seattle taking offensive lineman Grey Zabel in the first round made the most sense, and was the most shocking thing Schneider could have done. The best player available is always a good philosophy to follow. Plus, the offensive line needs five guys working well together. Grey Zabel is good enough to uplift the entire group, though.
Seattle Seahawks find their new version of Steve Hutchinson with No. 18 pick in the first round of the 2025 NFL draft
The guard and center position is relatively deep in the 2025 draft, too. This means Schneider could have waited to choose a player at those spots. What he couldn't wait for was a player with Zabel's versatility and skillset who could make an immediate impact.
What does this mean for veterans, like Anthony Bradford? The truth is that under head coach Mike Macdonald and the tutelage of Schneider, as opposed to how the team was run under former head coach (and Vice President of Football Operations) Pete Carroll, every player on the roster has to earn their spot. (Bradford hasn't earned his.)
Carroll was oftentimes too loyal, and the team got older without the young guys being able to make much of an impression many times. That is not the way Seattle does business now, however.
Now, the Seahawks have their new version of Hall of Famer Hutchinson. This should mean immediate improvement at Seattle's worst position. Beyond Zabel specifically, the surprise of Schneider choosing a guard in the first round probably won't wear off for a while.