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USA Today
21-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Unpacking Future Packers: No. 40, NDSU OL Grey Zabel
Unpacking Future Packers: No. 40, NDSU OL Grey Zabel Couldn't have been more impressed with @NDSUfootball OL Grey Zabel in the @seniorbowl 1-on-1s. Here are three good reps from him at three different positions (C, LG, RG) Strong case for IOL1 in this draft, and a top 50 pick — Trevor Sikkema (@TampaBayTre) January 28, 2025 The Unpacking Future Packers Countdown is a countdown of 100 prospects who the Green Bay Packers could select in the 2025 NFL draft. Since 2021, North Dakota State University has had three offensive linemen get selected during the NFL Draft, with two of them being second-round picks. Grey Zabel is the next Bison offensive lineman who will hear his name called on draft weekend and he could become the first NDSU offensive lineman to get selected in the first round. The NDSU offensive lineman could be a dark horse candidate to be Green Bay's first pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Zabel checks in at No. 40 in the Unpacking Future Packers Countdown. A native of South Dakota, Zabel finished his career at NDSU with 17 starts at right tackle, 16 at left tackle, four at left guard and three at right guard. This past season he started all 16 games at left tackle for the FCS Champions. "Besides his combination of size and athleticism, his versatility is what makes him attractive as a first-rounder," Sam Herder, a senior FCS analyst for Here Sports, said. "He dominated at tackle in college but also showed at the Senior Bowl that he can play guard and even center. He likely will play his best ball on the interior in the NFL, but he could provide valuable reps at tackle if injuries cause an offensive line to shuffle the lineup." Zabel may be the best-run blocker in the draft. He plays with a bit of a mean streak and is powerful to displace defenders. Zabel keeps his feet moving at contact to drive the defender downfield. He's nimble and shows good range with his athleticism. He shows no restrictions getting out in space and moving laterally or climbing to the second level. watching NDSU's Grey Zabel today: one of the more efficient movers in this OL class. gonna be an awesome center in the NFL. this was my first "Oh!" moment with him. LT74 gains ground with his first step, gets his backside leg in the ground upfield and RUNS the DL off the ball. — Mike Golic Jr (@mikegolicjr) March 6, 2025 "NDSU is a run-first team that runs plenty of power," Herder said. "Run-blocking is what Zabel enjoys doing. He's a great athlete, so his ability to pull is a strength." Zabel explodes out of his stance and has quick feet to shut down outside rush lanes. He has a flexible lower half and he's coordinated in his movements. Everything from top to bottom stays in sync for the versatile offensive lineman. According to Pro Football Focus, Zabel gave up one sack and 10 pressures this past season, with five of those pressures coming in the National Championship against South Dakota State University. "Zabel is a very smooth and natural athlete," Herder said. "It was difficult to beat him 1-on-1 in college with speed or power as he'd swallow up any pass-rushing techniques. Put him on the interior with even more pass-blocking support, and he should excel in that area in the NFL." Fit with the Packers It's no secret that NFL teams love versatility and Gutekunst loves offensive linemen that can play multiple positions. Since taking over as general manager in 2018, he's drafted 14 offensive linemen. Elgton Jenkins started games at center, left tackle, left guard, and right tackle during his time at Mississippi State. Jon Runyan started games at left tackle and right tackle during his time at Michigan. Simon Stephaniak started games at both guard spots during his time at Indiana. Royce Newman started games at left guard and right tackle during his time at Ole Miss. Zach Tom started 23 games at left tackle and 14 at center for Wake Forest. During his time at Duke, Jacob Monk started 36 games at right guard, 12 at right tackle and 10 at center. Travis Glover started 35 games at left tackle, 18 at right tackle and four at left guard. Zabel offers five-position versatility and he checks the boxes for his size, strength and athleticism. Taking him at 23 may be too rich, however, if he's on the board when Day 2 of the draft opens up, don't be shocked if Gutekunst works the phones to try and move up to snag the versatile NDSU offensive lineman. "NDSU has a long line of successful offensive linemen in the NFL," Herder said. "Its style of play, offensive system, and language have shown it translates well to the NFL. He also isn't locked into one position, so that flexibility makes his value even higher." There may be no clear path for a starting role for Zabel if he were to land in Green Bay. Rasheed Walker, Aaron Banks, Jenkins, Sean Rhyan and Zach Tom are likely locked into starting roles with Jordan Morgan expected to battle Walker and Rhyan for snaps. With his versatility, Zabel would provide quality depth across the offensive line during his rookie campaign with an eye on entering the starting five as a sophomore. Tom, Walker and Rhyan are all entering contract years. If the Packers lock up Tom to a long-term deal, they may let Walker and Rhyan walk with Morgan taking over for Walker and Zabel taking over at right guard for Rhyan. In a world where everybody wants immediate satisfaction, the Packers have shown they are okay with playing the long game. Drafting Zabel would mean Gutekunst is playing chess, not checkers.
Yahoo
29-01-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Colts 2025 NFL draft: Highlights from Day 1 of the Senior Bowl
The first day of Senior Bowl practices are in the books, an even that has played an important role in the Indianapolis Colts' pre-draft process under GM Chris Ballard. The Senior Bowl is an All-Star showcase event for many of the top draft prospects and also provides an opportunity for smaller school players or really any prospect to get exposure and give their draft stock a bump with a strong showing. General managers and scouts from all 32 teams attend the event. Oftentimes, it is at the Senior Bowl when many talent evaluators are getting to see these prospects up close on the practice for the first time while also having the opportunity to interact with them off of it. Between 2017 and 2023, 26 of the Colts 67 draft picks during that span participated in the Senior Bowl. In last year's draft, three of Ballard's selections were a part of this event. For a position by position look at the players participating in this year's Senior Bowl along with the Colts need at each position this offseason, follow the links below: Quarterbacks Linebackers Running backs Tight ends Wide receivers Cornerbacks and Safeties Offensive line Defensive line Now, on to some of the highlights from Day 1: Tweets by NDSUfootball Tweets by TCUFootball Tweets by NoelJaylin13 Fastest players (MPH) during Senior Bowl practices (via Zebra Sports):21.61 - CB Jaylin Smith21.36 - WR Kyle Williams, CB Dorian Strong21.26 - CB Darien Porter20.84 - SAF Jonas Sanker20.64 - WR Tez Johnson20.45 - CB Keondre Jackson20.39 - SAF Sebastian Castro — Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) January 29, 2025 This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: Colts 2025 NFL draft: Highlights from Day 1 of the Senior Bowl
USA Today
29-01-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Colts 2025 NFL draft: Highlights from Day 1 of the Senior Bowl
The first day of Senior Bowl practices are in the books, an even that has played an important role in the Indianapolis Colts' pre-draft process under GM Chris Ballard. The Senior Bowl is an All-Star showcase event for many of the top draft prospects and also provides an opportunity for smaller school players or really any prospect to get exposure and give their draft stock a bump with a strong showing. General managers and scouts from all 32 teams attend the event. Oftentimes, it is at the Senior Bowl when many talent evaluators are getting to see these prospects up close on the practice for the first time while also having the opportunity to interact with them off of it. Between 2017 and 2023, 26 of the Colts 67 draft picks during that span participated in the Senior Bowl. In last year's draft, three of Ballard's selections were a part of this event. For a position by position look at the players participating in this year's Senior Bowl along with the Colts need at each position this offseason, follow the links below: Quarterbacks Linebackers Running backs Tight ends Wide receivers Cornerbacks and Safeties Offensive line Defensive line Now, on to some of the highlights from Day 1: Couldn't have been more impressed with @NDSUfootball OL Grey Zabel in the @seniorbowl 1-on-1s. Here are three good reps from him at three different positions (C, LG, RG) Strong case for IOL1 in this draft, and a top 50 pick — Trevor Sikkema (@TampaBayTre) January 28, 2025 Beautiful catch from @TCUFootball WR Jack Bech to climb the ladder and come down with this one Catch of the day at @seniorbowl — Trevor Sikkema (@TampaBayTre) January 28, 2025 It's taken me all of 15 minutes to decide Xavier Restrepo is my favorite (and possibly the best) WR out here today. #SeniorBowl — Jeff Nowak (@Jeff_Nowak) January 28, 2025 Here is every one-on-one rep for Ole Miss DT Walter Nolen during Day 1 of the Senior Bowl: — Marcus Mosher (@Marcus_Mosher) January 28, 2025 Brashard Smith was super smooth in the receiving drills at #SeniorBowl. It's obvious he knows how to create easy separation given his experience at WR. @AtoZSportsNFL — Travis May (@FF_TravisM) January 28, 2025 Boston College EDGE Donovan Ezeiruaku had 16.5 sacks in 2024 — but Minnesota OT Aireontae Ersery has him in the ninth circle of Hell right now at the #SeniorBowl — Thor Nystrom (@thorku) January 28, 2025 Elijah Arroyo is putting on a show at the Senior Bowl👀 — PFF College (@PFF_College) January 28, 2025 Fastest players (MPH) during Senior Bowl practices (via Zebra Sports): 21.61 – CB Jaylin Smith 21.36 – WR Kyle Williams, CB Dorian Strong 21.26 – CB Darien Porter 20.84 – SAF Jonas Sanker 20.64 – WR Tez Johnson 20.45 – CB Keondre Jackson 20.39 – SAF Sebastian Castro — Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) January 29, 2025 Great rep from CB Quincy Riley. Patient, no panic, contest the back shoulder. — Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) January 28, 2025 Walter Nolen speed to power in one on ones against Clay Webb. #SeniorBowl — Devin Jackson (@RealD_Jackson) January 28, 2025
