Seattle Seahawks left guard Gray Zabel made a huge impression last season as a rookie; subsequently, PFF named him as a breakout candidate for the 2026 season. Specifically, they believe he can obtain All-Pro honors this next year.
They said, “Zabel finished his rookie season with a mediocre 61.7 overall PFF grade, sitting in the 48th percentile in PFF pass-blocking grade and no better than the 37th percentile in run-blocking mark on both gap and zone concepts. But when the stage got brighter, 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.”
Seattle Seahawks Breakout Candidate Gray Zabel Shined in Year One
Getty Zabel bolstered the Seahawks interior of the offensive line, making it one of the best units in years for Seattle.
Zabel’s selection shifted the tide of the Seattle Seahawks offensive line. That furthers the case that he remains a breakout candidate for 2026. Previously, the Seahawks failed to select a guard in the first round since 2010. Coincidentally, John Schneider’s first season as general manager.
If Zabel makes All-Pro, he becomes the first offensive lineman with this group in Seattle to receive any honors. Despite their excellent play, voters overlooked starting left tackle Charles Cross and right tackle Abraham Lucas for such accolades.
Hall of Famer Steve Hutchinson appeared as the last guard to receive any honors while playing for the Seahawks. He made three Pro Bowls from 2003 to 2005 and two All-Pro selections in 2004 and 2005.
Last season, First Team All-Pro voters selected Joe Thuney (33) of the Chicago Bears and Quinn Meinerz (27) of the Denver Broncos. Making all-pro at 24 potentially uplifts his status as a future Hall of Famer. If Zabel becomes a breakout candidate for the Seahawks, the offensive line officially becomes a strength in Seattle.
Status of Seahawks Offensive Line
GettyThe Seahawks offensive line took a massive step forward last season.
Outside of Zabel’s status of a breakout candidate, the Seahawks unit as a whole looks complete. Cross, Lucas, and Zabel clearly identified themselves as players the Seahawks can build around. Jalen Sundell also still offers continuity being a second year starter.
While Anthony Bradford currently remains as a starter, the Seahawks selected Beau Stephens in the NFL Draft. Speculation arose that Stephens eventually replaces Bradford as the starting right guard on the offensive line. However, the Seahawks value continuity and perhaps there exists a chance that Bradford can take a step forward this season.
Regardless, the Seahawks finally have reliable starters and depth on the offensive line. After years of turmoil there, Seahawks fans can finally sleep at night knowing their quarterback Sam Darnold has protection. Not to mention, players like Olu Oluwatimi and Josh Jones displayed they can step up in any moment and start. The days of converting defensive tackles to guards are over.
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