The Seattle Seahawks drafted Iowa guard Beau Stephens with the 148th pick of the NFL Draft in the fifth round. The Seahawks traded a 2027 fourth round pick to the Cleveland Browns to get the pick. Sending a 2027 fourth is a steep price for a fifth round pick, meaning this was a player that Seahawks felt they had to get.
The Seahawks brought in Stephens for a workout during the top 30 visit part of the offseason. Rumor circulated that the team was interested in finding competition and a potential replacement for Anthony Bradford. Bradford is on the last year of his contract but has also failed to take a major step forward as a starter.
Stephens Impressed Scouts Despite Day Three Grade
GettyStephens was a great starter at the University of Iowa.
Draft analysts gave Stephens a day three grade mainly because of his athleticism, but his performance ratings in college potentially showcase an NFL ready player.
PFF ranked Stephens as the 133rd overall prospect in the NFL Draft. He graded phenomenally in 2025 across the board. They gave him a 91.6 pass blocking grade and a 82.6 run blocking grade. The Seahawks run a zone blocking scheme, so they will be elated to see his 89.2 grade in zone blocking. His gap protection leaves a bit to be desired as he received a 55.7 grade. That being said, he received a 88.6 grade in true pass sets.
Dane Brugler of the Athletic ranked Stephens as the eleventh best guard in the class and gave him a round 4-5 grade. Brugler noted that Stephens lost his starting job as an underclassman but battled back to become a starter the last three seasons. He made the All-Big Ten team last season and helped the Iowa offensive line win the 2025 Joe Moore award, given to the best offensive line of the year.
Brugler said, “Stephens might struggle compensating for his lack of ideal length and athleticism, but blocking awareness and the power in his hands give him a fighting chance. Given his coachability and mental maturation, he can earn a backup role as a rookie and eventually push for on-field reps.”
Beau Stephens Athletic Profile
GettyBeau Stephens is an above average athlete for a guard.
Beau Stephens graded out as an above average athlete for a guard during his NFL Combine and pro day workouts. He received a 7.73 RAS Score, making him the 433rd most athletic guard since 1987.
He is just above 6’5” and weighs between 313 and 315 lbs, which is a great height and weight for an offensive lineman. His speed scores were just okay after running a 5.35 40 yard dash, 3.06 20 yard split, and 1.82 10 yard split. His explosion scores were good after having a 28” vertical jump and 8’6” broad jump. Also, his agility scores were decent as well with an excellent 7.6 second three cone drill. That being said, his shuttle cone was poor after posting a 4.85 second shuttle cone.
It will be interesting to follow Stephens as the Seahawks begin their training camp and if he becomes a legitimate threat to take Bradford’s job this season or perhaps in 2027.
Seattle Seahawks Draft Potential Anthony Bradford Replacement