Seahawks' rookie receives PFF’s highest honors in Week 18

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Seahawks' rookie receives PFF’s highest honors in Week 18 originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Seattle Seahawks are officially the NFC West division champions and have also secured the number one seed in the NFC by defeating the San Francisco 49ers Saturday night.

At 14-3, they've shattered the expectations that many placed upon them in the preseason, and now any team that wants to play in San Francisco come February is going to have to knock them out in their own house first.

More: Seahawks playoff picture: Seattle clinches NFC West title, No. 1 seed with win over 49ers

They've done it in all three phases this year, but one of the most impressive aspects of their offense has been the continuity of the offensive line, which has led to time for Sam Darnold and an effective running game.

The Seattle Seahawks' entire starting offensive line is fully comprised of homegrown draft picks. In the 2025 NFL Draft, they added yet another stud, and in the most important game against the 49ers in Week 18, he received very high honors.

Gray Zabel labeled as PFF's Player of the Week

Left guard Gray Zabel was the Seahawks' first-round pick this last draft at 18th overall. The move was met with a bit of criticism as he came from the FCS ranks, but when you looked at him vs what his competition was, it was clear he'd be fantastic.

Fantastic is exactly what he's been. Zabel has been arguably the best rookie offensive lineman in the class and will be a mainstay at the left guard position for many years moving forward.

In Week 18, Seattle faced off against a division opponent for not just the division title, but the conference title. The rookie showed up and proved why he belongs.

Zabel was not just the highest graded offensive lineman, highest graded rookie, or even the highest rated player of the game; he was the highest graded player on both sides of the ball across the entire league in Week 18.

If the Seahawks have any semblance of a deep playoff run, you'll be able to point to the talent of the offensive line and specifically Zabel as a key factor in making it happen.