Seattle Seahawks general manager John Schneider did something unusual in 2025. He chose an interior offensive lineman in the first round for the first time since Schneider came to Seattle in 2010. That draft pick was left guard Grey Zabel, and he was solid as a rookie.
According to Pro Football Focus (subscription required), though, Zabel will not only be better in 2026, but he could start garnering votes for being among the best at his position in the league.
Bradley Locker of PFF wrote, "...when the stage got brighter (the playoffs), Zabel thrived: His 86.8 overall grade from Week 17 onward led all guards, and he permitted just nine pressures over those six contests. With a full playoff run under his belt — and one featuring very strong competition from standouts like Milton Williams, Kobie Turner, and Christian Barmore— Zabel could very well be a 2026 All-Pro candidate."
Pro Football Focus has high hopes for Seattle Seahawks left guard Grey Zabel
In other words, not only is Zabel going to make a jump as far as being consistently great at all aspects of his job, including being far better in pass protection, but he is going to be so good that he could make an All-Pro team. That would further prove Schneider's draft brilliance.
Somewhat oddly, Zabel would also be the first player on the current Seahawks offensive line to be named to an All-Pro team. Left tackle Charles Cross has been among the best at his position in the NFL for two seasons now, but he hasn't made a Pro Bowl or All-Pro squad.
Neither has right tackle Abe Lucas, though, to be fair, while Lucas has been good when healthy, he did miss chunks of time in his second and third seasons. Lucas does have the ability to potentially become a Pro Bowler at his position.
The last pure guard to make the Pro Bowl for the Seahawks was Hall of Famer Steve Hutchinson, who did so from 2003 to 2005. He was named First-Team All-Pro in 2004 and 2005.
Of the players who were named All-Pro in 2025, three are 28 or older. The Chicago Bears' Joe Thuney is 33. This is pointed out because if Zabel is truly good enough to be named All-Pro at 24 years old, he might stay at that level for many years to come. At which point, pundits won't simply be talking about Zabel's consistent greatness, but his potential to make the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
We aren't there yet, though. While Seattle Seahawks fans obviously hope Pro Football Focus is correct in Grey Zabel making a second-year leap, he still has to do it. He proved in the playoffs that he can be elite, so he knows how good he can be. Maybe his teaming with Charles Cross forms a long-term Walter Jones-and-Steve-Hutchinson-lite. What could be better?
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