2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report: North Dakota State OL Grey Zabel

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Grey Zabel | OL | North Dakota State

Height: 6’6″
Weight: 312 lbs
Draft Projection: Late 1st Round
Notable Accomplishment: FCS First-Team AP All-American

Pros: When it comes to Zabel and his strengths, versatility tops the list. He is capable of playing any position along the line of scrimmage, and his long-term fit may actually be along the interior of the line. His performance at both guard and center at the Senior Bowl was quite impressive, and his play style better projects at pretty much anywhere except tackle. When Zabel maintains a square stance, it is incredibly difficult for opposing linemen to move him, as his functional strength is among the best of this class. He also appears to be a great communicator on the line, adapting well to the player next to him regardless of where he is playing along the line. This is most evident in zone blocking concepts, where Zabel displays his outstanding awareness by knowing exactly when to pass a player off or pick one up. So much of Zabel’s projection is situationally based, as the position and scheme in which he plays will play an integral role in his long-term outlook.

Cons: If you are wanting Zabel as your left tackle, I would temper your expectations. His 32″ arms are less than ideal for a tackle, and he sometimes gets caught lunging and playing over his feet at tackle. His footwork, power, and leverage have all been much more effective when he is playing on the interior. Zabel’s hand placement still needs some work as well, as he can resort to grabbing when he fails to land an accurate punch. This could lead to more penalties at the next level if not addressed. He also needs to ensure he gets his hands tight inside the defender’s chest in the run game. He loses his ability to generate power when his hand placement is off.

Overview: North Dakota State has an impressive record of putting out NFL talent on the offensive side of the football, especially up front. I think Zabel is certainly the next in line, but a move inside will likely be required. Barring a major change between now and the draft, I anticipate his name being called before Night 1 is over.

NFL Comparison: Ethan Pocic