6’ 6’’ / 312 lbs

Zabel is probably the biggest winner from senior bowl week. His calling card jumps off the screen - he's a technician who brings controlled violence to every snap. The footwork, hip drive, and natural leverage he displays in North Dakota State's diverse run scheme will translate immediately to the NFL's interior. When you watch him combo block and climb to the second level, you might see shades of Zack Martin's early Notre Dame tape - not as explosive, but the same understanding of angles and timing.

While he shows the skill set to play tackle, he may be better served moving inside where his natural leverage and mauling mentality could really shine. What excites me most is how he processes everything in real-time. Watch the Northern Iowa game - they threw every stunt and blitz package imaginable at him, and he didn't just survive, he dominated. That mental acuity combined with his natural power and leverage makes him a plug-and-play guard who could also backup center with some development.

His technique is already refined enough to compete for a starting guard spot as a rookie, but his ceiling is a potential Pro Bowl-caliber interior lineman.

Pro comparison; Graham Barton

Draft projection; round 1 / early round 2

I wouldn’t say G is a dire need, but the FO has been bringing in a lot of iOL for their top-30s. 

On 4/6/2025 at 10:15 AM, Waiting4Someday said:

I wouldn’t say G is a dire need, but the FO has been bringing in a lot of iOL for their top-30s. 

Some of those guys like Fairchild and MBow are day 2 prospects.  I don't want to say OG or any position really is unlikely when you pick at 32, but still I would be surprised if Howie's first pick isn't on the DL and if he doesn't make a modest move up to get who he wants.  

5 minutes ago, time2rock said:

Some of those guys like Fairchild and MBow are day 2 prospects.  I don't want to say OG or any position really is unlikely when you pick at 32, but still I would be surprised if Howie's first pick isn't on the DL and if he doesn't make a modest move up to get who he wants.  

This would be my preference as well, RT/G while not off the menu feels like Plan C.

I like Zabel a lot, but I think with Stout's ability to teach and get the most out of players on the OL, I think the Interior guys will be looked at later as opposed to earlier. I think it's DL in Rd 1.

3 hours ago, Vic2025 said:

I like Zabel a lot, but I think with Stout's ability to teach and get the most out of players on the OL, I think the Interior guys will be looked at later as opposed to earlier. I think it's DL in Rd 1.

I think if we were to take an OL early, it would because they are a freak that could be coached up - rather than as you pointed out... close to a finished project.

While not a "sexy" pick (I hate that phrase lol) Zabel would be a solid pick for sure. He'd likely step in as the starting RG on day 1 and be entrenched there for the next 8-10 years (what more could you ask for from a 1st rd pick?). Problem is, so many teams picking just ahead of us have OL as one of their biggest needs heading into this draft (after getting completely dominated in SB LIX, KC likely feels the need to tighten up their OL, Detroit, Baltimore, Houston, Minny ... that's 5 teams in the 8 picks just ahead of us).