What Big Ray likes about Seahawks rookie guard Beau Stephens

The Seattle Seahawks have a rare level of continuity along their offensive line, having retained all 11 linemen who took snaps during their 2025 Super Bowl-winning season.

But that didn’t stop the Seahawks from adding to the trenches in last month’s NFL Draft.

Trey Wingo: Seahawks, not Rams, ‘still the team to beat’

After acquiring a fifth-round pick in a draft-day trade, the Seahawks then used that pick to select 6-foot-5, 315-pound Iowa guard Beau Stephens, who was a first-team AP All-American in 2025.

What stands out about Stephens? Seahawks Radio Network analyst and former NFL offensive lineman Ray Roberts gave his scouting report during a conversation on Seattle Sports’ Wyman and Bob.

“He’s a very strong, physical dude,” Roberts said. “He has a very good target with his hands. He’s always inside-out with his hands. A lot of guys reach out for your outside shoulders, because they’re trying to see everything and grab everything. And this dude is just snatching your chest every time.

“And there’s times where he’s (essentially) punched a guy, and it’s like they just go right off their feet to the ground. And so I do think that he can bring a certain level of toughness to the team.”

Stephens ranked No. 4 among all FBS guards in Pro Football Focus grading last season – including No. 1 in pass block grading and No. 7 in run block grading.

A three-year starter at Iowa, Stephens didn’t allow a single sack in 581 pass block snaps over his final three college seasons, and he didn’t even allow a quarterback hit in 2025, according to PFF. He also had an 89th percentile PFF zone run-block grade, which fits well with Seattle’s outside-zone blocking scheme.

However, Stephens may have some athletic limitations. He ran the third-slowest 40-yard dash of any player at the NFL combine (5.35 seconds) and had the shortest arms of the 22 guards in attendance (31 1/8 inches).

“He’s not the athlete that (Seahawks left guard) Grey Zabel is, but he seems to be very good with his technique, with his knee bend, with his footwork,” Roberts said. “I wouldn’t say he’s the quickest, fastest guy, … and so I think maybe the speed of the game he may have to adjust to.”

Stephens joins 2025 draft picks Bryce Cabeldue and Mason Richman as more potential competition for Seahawks right guard Anthony Bradford. Bradford had an up-and-down 2025 campaign and is heading into the final year of his rookie contract.

“I do think that having some legit competition for Bradford could be good for his development,” Roberts said. “… I think Beau might be that guy that could be a swing guard, or the guy that kind of pushes Bradford for playing time.”

Tune into Wyman and Bob weekdays from 2-7 p.m. or find the podcast on the Seattle Sports app.

More on the Seattle Seahawks

• Analysts are raving about Seattle Seahawks rookie safety Bud Clark
• Breakdown: Ranking 2nd-year Seahawks by potential ’26 impact
• How much could Darnold’s next deal cost Seattle Seahawks?

Related

Recent contender for Seahawks No. 3 CB spot signs with BrownsThe Seahawks’ salary cap outlook after Leonard Williams dealSeahawks announce initial 17-man practice squad for 2026Seahawks lose 2nd-year edge rusher to waiver claimReport: Seahawks sign 2-time Pro Bowl CB Trevon Diggs to practice squadSeahawks’ big concern going into season is kicker Jason Myers