The Seattle Seahawks remain on their quest to improve their interior offensive line, specifically the guard position. After deciding to not sign any of the top free agent guards available this spring, Seattle is clearly focusing their attention towards improving in the 2025 NFL draft. There are a number of intriguing guards available for the Seahawks to select, even at pick No. 18 overall.
Recently, a mock draft from The Athletic had Seattle taking versatile guard/center Grey Zabel from North Dakota State University. Apparently, they are not alone. Another mock draft, this time from Sports Illustrated, has the Seahawks selecting the Bison standout as well.
Zabel has moved up draft boards due to his toughness and ability to play inside and outside. The Seahawks are in desperate need of those traits after a dreadful season for the offensive line. Sam Darnold had a breakout season with the Minnesota Vikings, but he struggled in the final two games partly because the offensive line failed to buy him time to operate. Seattle is well aware that it needs to focus on the offensive line throughout the draft to give Darnold a fair shake to succeed with his new team.
Everywhere you look, you'll see similar analysis that in order for the Sam Darnold gamble to pay off in Seattle, the Seahawks are going to have to find a way to protect him. Geno Smith was actually quite remarkably gifted at dealing with Seattle's porous offensive line, finding ways to thrive in spite of the fact he never received any help up front. Darnold, thus far in his career, has not shown a similar ability when facing immense pressure. The Vikings' explosive 2024 season came to an unceremonious ending, getting blown out of their final two games of the year. In those two blowout losses to the Detroit Lions (to lose the NFC North crown) and the Los Angeles Rams (in the Wild Card), Darnold was sacked 11 times.
Saying the Seahawks need to fix their offensive line is a broken record at this point, and it's one absolutely everyone is tired of playing. Sadly, it will continue to be played until Seattle finally finds a remedy to their decade-long problem.
This article originally appeared on Seahawks Wire: Seahawks select C/G Grey Zabel in yet another 2025 NFL mock draft
