The Seattle Seahawks have managed to get to 4-2 even while the defense, expected to be the unit that drove the team to a potential playoff run, has been banged up for about half the season. The offense with quarterback Sam Darnold and offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak has overperformed.
A big part of that has been left guard Grey Zabel. Even though he is only going to get better with more experience, he's already good as a rookie. This is especially true in run blocking, where, according to ESPN's metrics, Zabel ranks first in the NFL in run-block win rate through six games among interior offensive linemen.
He is winning his blocks 83 percent of the time. He still struggles in pass protection at times, but again, he will get better the more he plays.
Grey Zabel is going to be quite good the Seattle Seahawks (Anthony Bradford isn't)
The issue is that Zabel plays on a specific unit that has to have all five players performing well and cohesively. His partner to the left, Charles Cross, is terrific. The closest two spots to his right aren't doing very well. Center Jalen Sundell, Zabel's college teammate at North Dakota State, has been servicable, but the team could still use an upgrade.
Right guard has been much worse. Just as in the past two seasons, when healthy, Anthony Bradford has been the starter and a bad one. After what appeared to be a good start to this season, Bradford has reverted to his normal form.
According to Pro Football Focus (subscription required), Bradford has the lowest grade of his career. His pass protection has been nonexistent. He is 15th in pressures allowed with 12, but he's allowed those 12 in 186 pass-block snaps.
11 of the guards who have allowed more pressure have played at least 212 pass-block reps. In other words, Bradford, based on play percentage, is giving up more pressures than almost any other guard. Rookie Zabel, by contrast, has allowed eight pressures.
The Seattle Seahawks are ultimately having the same kind of problem they have had in the past many years. The offensive line is improved, but a couple of the pieces need to be changed. The team cannot keep hoping Bradford to be good when he's never consistently shown he can be.
Meanwhile, while Grey Zabel isn't going to be a Pro Bowler this season, he is trending toward being one in his future. The left side of the Seahawks' offensive line, and right tackle, are set. The right guard needs to be upgraded.