The Seattle Seahawks had a bit of a luxury in the 2026 NFL draft. Though the team entered the draft with only four selections (they finished with eight after a few nifty trades), the roster was so loaded that the team didn't have any dire needs. That is where fifth-round choice Beau Stephens comes in.
Stephens was an Iowa product who played left guard in the last couple of years. Seattle doesn't need a player at that position, though, as the team has Grey Zabel, a long-term starter who was only a rookie in 2025. The Seahawks could use a new starter at right guard, however.
Anthony Bradford has manned that position for the past several years and hasn't been very good. He's powerful, so if a defender is lined up directly across from him, he can do things. If the opponent has any kind of quickness, Bradford is in trouble. The right guard is only slightly better at run-blocking, and he gave up 38 quarterback pressures last season.
Beau Stephens could go from fifth-round pick to Week 1 starter for the Seattle Seahawks
Stephens didn't allow a sack in 2024 or 2025, though doing so in college doesn't mean immediate success in the pros. He might still have an upside higher than Bradford in 2026. Stephens could go from fifth-round pick to Week 1 starter.
Draft guru Daniel Jeremiah of the NFL Network thinks there is an opportunity for that to happen. He said as much on Seattle Sports 710 AM after the Seahawks chose Stephens.
"I’d be curious to see if Beau Stephens ends up cracking the lineup there. That would be interesting to me to see if he ends up getting some play,” Jeremiah said. “...I think he’s better right now, so I would feel comfortable about him vs. Bradford. I think that would be an interesting thing to monitor going forward."
For Seattle Seahawks fans, monitoring the situation is a must, of course. The offensive line did improve last season for several reasons. One was that right tackle Abraham Lucas stayed healthy. Another was general manager John Schneider taking Zabel in the first round last year. The 2025 offensive line coach hire, John Benton, is also really good at his job.
But Anthony Bradford certainly wasn't a reason for the line's success. The 6'5 1/2" and 315-pound Beau Stephens could be a reason for the O-line being even better in 2026. He might need to add some girth to his frame, but he should be able to do that rather quickly and healthily. He's only going to get stronger in an NFL system.
Starting Stephens does carry a risk because he is a rookie, but he has his believers, such as Daniel Jeremiah. The Seahawks are clearly believers too, as they traded a fourth-round 2027 selection to move up to choose Stephens in the fifth round this year.
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