With the 234th pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Seattle Seahawks selected Iowa offensive tackle Mason Richman in the seventh round. Typically, the seventh round is for less-hyped players, and teams sometimes try to secure targets they want among the UDFAs.
It’s worth remembering that the Seahawks have a good record in the seventh round, with names like Chris Carson, David Moore, Malcolm Smith, J.R. Sweezy. However, that shouldn’t be the case with Richman, who will have to fight hard for a spot on the final roster.
Who is Mason Richman?
Mason Richman is a Kansas native who played defensive end and tight end in high school. He committed to Iowa instead of Kansas and arrived as an OT at 250 pounds. He added 60 pounds in his first two years. He became a starter in 2021 and continued with 52 games as a LT, the most games by any Iowa player under Kirk Ferentz (i.e., since 1999). He received Honorable Mention All-Big Ten honors in all four of his years as a starter.
His numbers are average at best, with the exception of the agility drills. His Short Shuttle would have been the sixth best at the Combine and his 3-Cone Drill would have been the third.
Richman was so “unknown” that even the NFL website didn’t have his photo during the Draft. Obviously, this was resolved shortly after, but at the time it generated some laughs.
I watched the Hawkeyes OL a lot, keeping an eye on center Logan Jones (who is my favorite target for the 2026 Draft, since he decided to return), RG Connor Colby (chosen by the 49ers) and Gennings Dunker, who also deserves attention. Richman was the least eye-catching of the group, but he was still part of a very well-trained group, especially for the wide-zone scheme.
Pass Pro
He had a pass-blocking grade of 79.6 in 2024, allowing two sacks in 316 pass-blocking snaps. He often uses the jump set, going aggressively after the opponent.
He seems to need to make a lot of effort to move.
With short arms, he allows the opponent to get to his chest first and get a good long-arm.
Using both hands together can cause problems for those with short arms. Here he has no way to recover from this spin move.
He doesn’t seem to be able to recover. He takes a bad angle, tries to reach with his arms, which are short and allows pressure that ends up leading to an interception.
Run Block
Iowa’s 197.2 rushing yards per game in 2024 ranked third in the Big Ten and 24th in the nation, and were the program’s most since 2002.
Mason Richman ranked 33rd among 131 qualified tackles with a zone blocking grade of 76.7, according to PFF.
Another basic snap for a zone scheme. Good lateral step to execute a good reach block.
See how well he moves when it comes to getting to the linebackers, the problem is that he simply cannot stay engaged in the block.
Good job blocking at the first level, knowing the right time to advance, getting to the LB’s block completely, but, again, he cannot maintain the block. This is something that is repeated a lot on his tape. He gets to the second level well, but loses the block. He lacks body control.
His movement to get to the second level is much more natural than his work in pass pro. However, after making the first block he should continue with the next block, but stops. He lacks play processing.
FInal Thoughts
Among the 11 picks in Seattle’s 2025 draft, Richman is the one who has the lowest chance of making it to the final 53. Richman is already a veteran and it will likely be difficult for him to correct some technical errors that will complicate his career in the NFL. It was clear that the Seahawks were interested in the zone blocking work that Iowa’s offensive line excels at.
He was projected as an UDFA, so it’s normal to use a seventh pick to select him. However, I think there were still better OT options available, such as: Esa Pole (visited Seattle), Hollin Pierce, Logan Brown (teammate of sixth-round pick Bryce Cabeldue).
I believe that Josh Jones, even due to his versatility, is guaranteed to be the backup OT, and Mike Jerrell, even coming from Division II Findlay, seems to have greater potential due to his physical qualities. Richman was announced as a guard, but John Schneider and Mike Macdonald soon said he would be an OT. Despite the less competition, he should still be just a candidate for the practice squad.
