Lions 2025 draft prospect profile: Grey Zabel, IOL, North Dakota State
One of the positions most likely for a prospect to make the big jump from the FCS level to success in the NFL is the offensive line. Lions head coach Dan Campbell has firsthand experience from his Saints days with two small-school prospects who became Pro Bowl linemen in the NFL in Jahri Evans and Terron Armstead.
Grey Zabel from North Dakota State has an opportunity to prove he can be the next FCS standout to become a very good NFL starting offensive lineman.
Grey Zabel, OL, North Dakota State
The Bison star played left tackle as a fifth-year senior after two seasons of splitting time (roughly 70/30) playing right tackle and left guard. Zabel earned his spot in the Senior Bowl and thrived during the week of practices in Mobile while primarily playing center--a position he only had played sparingly (14 snaps) as a sophomore. The offensive coordinator at NDSU for the first four years of his career was current Lions TE coach Tyler Roehl. Because of his short arm reach (32 inches), Zabel projects as an interior-only lineman in the NFL.
Measured at 6-foot-6 and 312 pounds
Has nearly 1,000 snaps at both left tackle and right tackle
Allowed just 4 career sacks in over 1,100 pass protection snaps
1st-team All-American as a senior
Voted top Senior Bowl practice player by the players
Turned 23 in March
Games watched: Colorado, Illinois State, Montana State and South Dakota State (playoffs), Senior Bowl week (in person)
Positives
Comes from a pro-style offense with a similar gap/power blocking scheme to Detroit's
Outstanding lower-body quickness and flexibility for a taller lineman
Quick-footed off the snap in any direction
Very good at resetting his hands and staying square against speed-to-power
Active eyes and quick reactions; tough to fool him on a twist or blitz
Finishes well in the run game
Decent power and consistent pad level in run blocking
Negatives
Quicker pass rushers were able to dictate first contact due to his short arms
Will lean into run blocks outside his initial reach
Will be playing a new position while also making a massive jump in level of competition
Gives up his chest too readily in pass protection at times
He's not lacking grit by any means, but Zabel doesn't play with violence to his game
Overall
Zabel brought an impressive résumé to the Senior Bowl from the premier FCS-level program, but he had to shift from tackle to center (and guard). It took about three practice reps before Zabel asserted his dominance at the new position, and did so against many Day 2 defensive linemen prospects. Zabel's quickness, agility and technical savvy are all high-level traits. Lions TE coach Tyler Roehl knows him very well, and that's invaluable for helping Zabel potentially transition to the next level. His game reminds me more than a little of 7-time Pro Bowl center Alex Mack. Zabel should absolutely be in consideration for the Lions first-round pick--if he's still on the board. Like Mack (No. 21 overall back in 2009), Zabel should be a top-25 pick.
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