2025 NFL Scouting Report: Grey Zabel

Grey Zabel, 6-6/312
Offensive Tackle
North Dakota State

Grey Zabel Scouting Report

By Charlie Campbell

Strengths:

Good anchor
Good size for an interior blocker
Versatile, can play all over the line
Fights and gets physical with defenders
Blocks through the whistle
Tracks the ball well
Has enough quickness
Agile
Athletic
Hits blocks in space
Good at pulling

Weaknesses:

Short arms (32 inches)
Will bend at the waist at times
Lacks some heavy hands in pass protection
Could stand to improve hand placement

Prospect Summary:

North Dakota State has produced a steady amount of NFL talent recently, and Zabel will continue that tradition in 2025. He broke into the starting lineup in 2022, making starts at guard and right tackle. The next season, he started at right tackle for a dozen games, with three starts at guard. As a senior, Zabel was the starting left tackle and helped his team win an FCS championship.

For the NFL, Zabel is a versatile blocker who could help his team at a variety of spots. He would be best playing at guard or center, given his short arms. In the ground game, Zabel has good size and strength to tie up defenders. He has the size and power to drive block and will push defenders out of their gap. In the NFL, he won’t be as overpowering or physically dominant as he was against weaker competition in the FCS, but he still projects to have power run-blocking potential. Zabel is also an agile, athletic blocker who is very good at pulling or moving in space on zone stretch runs. Zabel hits blocks downfield, and he sustains his blocks well to keep defenders from getting at his ball carrier. As an interior run blocker, Zabel can fit as a zone or power man scheme.

In pass protection, Zabel shows his agility and athleticism to slide with speed rushers. Zabel shows light feet to play the typewrite and slide with rushers moving upfield. He also has the size and strength to anchor against bull rushes. Zabel has some technique to improve for taking on professional defensive linemen. He has an inclination to bend at the waist sometimes, and that could be exploited by pro defenders. He also needs to improve his hand placement. Playing on the inside will help Zabel as a pro, and his short arms would be a problem blocking on the edge.

In the 2025 NFL Draft, Zabel looks like a second-round pick with a shot at sneaking into the late portion of the first round. He has the ability to start early in his career at guard or center. Zabel could be an emergency tackle if an injury forced him to move out there, and that versatility is very valuable.

Prospect Comparison:

Ryan Kelly. In terms of style of play, Zabel could be a center that is similar to Kelly in the NFL. Both are good athletes with strength and versatility on the inside.