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.