You didn’t assume that John Schneider would be capable to sit out a number of rounds of the 2026 NFL Draft did you? He managed to make it by way of the fourth spherical, however needed to soar again into the fifth spherical by buying and selling away a 2027 fourth-round choose. At No. 148, the Seattle Seahawks added to their offensive line with guard Beau Stephens from Iowa. Stephens performed left guard on the nation’s high school offensive line in 2025, and can throw his hat into the ring for the Seahawks proper guard competitors in 2026.
Relative Athletic Rating (RAS)
The largest factor that stands out on Stephens’ RAS is that nothing actually stands out. There’s a whole lot of Hawkeye yellow, which means that Stephens is usually within the “Okay” to “Good” athletic vary. There are a couple of oddities right here to convey up. Stephens has a “Good” measurement rating in RAS, but is within the first percentile (sure, you learn that proper) in arm size at simply over 31 inches. That will not matter as a lot as an inside offensive lineman, however will nonetheless seemingly lead to Stephens not having the ability to get his palms on longer-armed defenders or have hassle executing attain blocks. The opposite peculiarity is available in his agility with a below-average shuttle and 3-cone. Stephens will want lateral quickness to take care of stunts and video games as a guard, so the disparity between these scores bears acknowledging.
Between the RAS and Mockdraftable comps, the one one which stands out to me is Graham Barton, who was a favourite of many a Seahawks fan a couple of years in the past within the draft. He’s presently at heart for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, however let’s see how he and Stephens stack up at guard.
Yeah, it’s probably not that shut in any respect outdoors of the scale similarity. Barton is a MUCH higher athlete with extra arm size. There’s a purpose he was a first-round choose and Beau Stephens waited till the fifth spherical.
I discovered yet another non-Seahawks comp that’s fairly shut by way of general RAS; longtime NFL stalwart Kevin Zeitler.
Weight, velocity, vertical, and broad are all very shut. Kevin Zeitler was a reputation that many Seahawks followers have been speaking about for years as a potential free agent addition that by no means transpired. At the least on an general athletic stage, Stephens is an effective match with Zeitler. One other enjoyable connection is that Zeitler can also be a Huge Ten alum from one other college recognized for producing good offensive lineman; the College of Wisconsin.
Now, onto how Stephens matches up athletically with some present Seahawks. Stephens was taking part in proper guard in rookie mini camp, and can seemingly have his probability to show he belongs there in a contest with incumbent starter Anthony Bradford. I do know a whole lot of you might be simply ready for Bradford to get replaced, however you do notice that he has a substantial athletic benefit whereas weighing a further (no less than) 15 lbs, proper?
Is Bradford good? No. Ought to there be a contest? Completely. Do I feel Anthony Bradford shall be unseated because the beginning RG for 2026? Nope.
Bradford has began 38 video games prior to now three seasons for 3 totally different OL coaches and offensive coordinators. He’s performed 2,277 snaps as a Seahawk, lower down on his penalties, is a part of a Tremendous Bowl profitable OL, and simply turned 25 years previous. Stephens can have his work lower out for him if he desires to be the beginning RG in 2026.
I feel Christian Haynes is gone. Regardless that he’s a greater athlete, these traits have by no means proven up on the sphere. In distinction with Bradford, Haynes has been given alternatives with a number of OL coaches and hasn’t cracked the lineup. Except there’s a surprising flip of occasions, I count on Stephens to be forward of Haynes within the pecking order from the soar.
This can be a enjoyable one as a result of Stephens and Richman had been Iowa teammates just some seasons in the past. They’re additionally comparable athletes, with Richman having an edge within the agility class. Richman might be Stephens’ largest competitors this season as a backup guard, and can make for some enjoyable dialog within the locker room I’m positive.
Listed below are a couple of different Seahawks comps to dial within the athletic prowess we’re with Stephens.
Stephens is a greater general athlete than Moffitt and Iupati, however nonetheless inside vary. Clearly, Oluwatimi is a middle, however him right here as a guard continues to be instructive since they examine favorably in RAS. We’re not speaking a couple of Gray Zabel and even Bryce Cabeldue stage of athlete with Stephens which is probably going a part of the rationale he was nonetheless there within the fifth spherical for Seattle to pounce on.
That is a kind of “trust JS” picks for me. The truth that he was prepared to half with a future draft choose – albeit a day three alternative in a draft with a boatload of potential picks – to leap into the fifth spherical to get Stephens is encouraging. On the very least, he’ll add younger depth to each guard positions. In an offense the place operating the ball nonetheless issues very a lot, depth is essential. Seattle was fairly fortunate final 12 months in that they suffered comparatively few sustained accidents on the road. Hopefully that occurs once more in 2026. Including younger, gifted clay for offensive line coach John Benton to mildew is a optimistic.
Stephens will make the 53-man roster, particularly taking Christian Haynes’ place. Haynes has had loads of time to determine himself and hasn’t been capable of do it. Stephens is youthful, cheaper, and has extra years of membership management. He’ll be thrown within the battle for RG in coaching camp, however will rapidly be relegated to third-string and play the vast majority of the second halves of the preseason video games. This shouldn’t be taken as a failure, nevertheless, since Stephens will nonetheless supply high quality depth together with Mason Richman and Bryce Cabeldue. With the chance that Anthony Bradford will depart in free company in 2027, Stephens will get his shot on the beginning line subsequent season.
