Grey Zabel At G Out Of N Dakota State?

[BFritz21]

I'm blown away by some of the mocks on here and on draft websites that have us ignoring guard early or even entirely in the draft.

I know we have to get better on defense but protecting Burrow should be priority number one for our franchise, as well as helping to establish the run game more.

The 33rdTeam's mock draft has us taking Grey Zabel out of North Dakota State.

While you might think it would be a risk to take an FBS guy, he had multiple offers to play at power conference schools his senior year of college.

What attracts me more are his strengths and weaknesses because he's a great pass blocker can pick-up stunts and blitzes, and his main weakness is picking up speed blitzes on the edge, which, playing at guard, he won't be exposed in space to speed rushers, so he seems perfect to me.

Plus, look at that stache!



Am I the only one that thinks taking this guy would be a slam dunk?

[Tomcat]

Kirwan and Miller on Sirius rave about this guy, saying he could play any spot on the line. I would not be disappointed if we picked him in round 1.

[Whatever]

It always raises an eyebrow for me when a small school prospect opts out of the majority of testing at the Combine. Usually, those guys want every opportunity to prove they belong. He did do drills, so it didn't seem to be injury related, either.

Beyond that, he's 6'6" with only 32" arms, meaning his chest is a big target and he doesn't have the length to keep guys out of it. With his height, he'll be highly susceptible to bull rushes in the NFL.

[*ochocincos*]

(03-31-2025, 01:45 PM)BFritz21 Wrote: I'm blown away by some of the mocks on here and on draft websites that have us ignoring guard early or even entirely in the draft.

I know we have to get better on defense but protecting Burrow should be priority number one for our franchise, as well as helping to establish the run game more.

The 33rdTeam's mock draft has us taking Grey Zabel out of North Dakota State.

While you might think it would be a risk to take an FBS guy, he had multiple offers to play at power conference schools his senior year of college.

What attracts me more are his strengths and weaknesses because he's a great pass blocker can pick-up stunts and blitzes, and his main weakness is picking up speed blitzes on the edge, which, playing at guard, he won't be exposed in space to speed rushers, so he seems perfect to me.

Plus, look at that stache!



Am I the only one that thinks taking this guy would be a slam dunk?

(03-31-2025, 02:30 PM)Tomcat Wrote: Kirwan and Miller on Sirius rave about this guy, saying he could play any spot on the line. I would not be disappointed if we picked him in round 1.

They have him being taken in...Round 1?

I'm sorry, but they said the same things about Volson coming out of NDSU too, although they never projected Volson Rd 1 or Rd 2, but just mid-level.

I'm not opposed to the add if they are good, but I'll be skeptical of easy transition for someone coming from FCS that can come in and hit the ground running by Week 1 of rookie year.

I'd prefer to be safer and go with the likes of Booker or Jackson if getting an IOL in Rd 1, personally.

[puddycat]

To me he's a reach at 17 and won't be there at 49.  I'm tired of the FO not getting the job done in FA and then reaching in the draft.  Trade down to the mid to late 20s and I start to become OK.  I still have the issue of moving a 1st round player to a new position; even when it works it seems to waste a year.  Donovan Jackson may be a reach even in late Rd1, but at least I know he can play guard.

[BFritz21]

(03-31-2025, 02:47 PM)ochocincos Wrote: They have him being taken in...Round 1?

I'm sorry, but they said the same things about Volson coming out of NDSU too, although they never projected Volson Rd 1 or Rd 2, but just mid-level.

I'm not opposed to the add if they are good, but I'll be skeptical of easy transition for someone coming from FCS that can come in and hit the ground running by Week 1 of rookie year.

I'd prefer to be safer and go with the likes of Booker or Jackson if getting an IOL in Rd 1, personally.

DraftTek has him as the top ranked guard in the class, but I get your point about being cautious.

He only stayed at NDS because he wanted to play with his little brother, which is admirable.

Field Yates said that he's a home-run pick, and noted his play against bigger school guys in Senior Bowl practices and play, which gives me reassurance.

[BFritz21]

(03-31-2025, 03:43 PM)puddycat Wrote: To me he's a reach at 17 and won't be there at 49.  I'm tired of the FO not getting the job done in FA and then reaching in the draft.  Trade down to the mid to late 20s and I start to become OK.  I still have the issue of moving a 1st round player to a new position; even when it works it seems to waste a year.  Donovan Jackson may be a reach even in late Rd1, but at least I know he can play guard.

That would be a risk because I've seen him going the pick after us or early 20s, but if we could be relatively guaranteed that he (or one of the other top guards) would still be there, I'd be ok with it, but I don't think we can risk missing out of him or one of the other top guards.

[*ochocincos*]

(03-31-2025, 04:33 PM)BFritz21 Wrote: DraftTek has him as the top ranked guard in the class, but I get your point about being cautious.

He only stayed at NDS because he wanted to play with his little brother, which is admirable.

Field Yates said that he's a home-run pick, and. noted his play against bigger school guys in Senior Bowl practices and play, which gives me reassurance.

This dude seems like he has come out of nowhere, as I can't recall seeing his name mentioned at all until this thread.

Now I see him listed on the concensus big board on https://www.nflmockdraftdatabase.com/big-boards/2025/consensus-big-board-2025?pos=IOL
Slotted between Booker and Jackson.

The Draft Network projects him potentially best suited for Center. Scouting report from back in December.

Quote:[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87)]Overall, Zabel projects as an early-to-mid-round center with the tools to contribute early and develop into a full-time starter. His combination of unteachable traits and intangibles, paired with clear areas for growth, make him an exciting prospect with a high ceiling.[/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87)]Prospect Projection: Day 2 — Adequate Starter[/color]

[SunsetBengal]

(03-31-2025, 04:56 PM)ochocincos Wrote: This dude seems like he has come out of nowhere, as I can't recall seeing his name mentioned at all until this thread.

Now I see him listed on the concensus big board on https://www.nflmockdraftdatabase.com/big-boards/2025/consensus-big-board-2025?pos=IOL
Slotted between Booker and Jackson.

The Draft Network projects him potentially best suited for Center. Scouting report from back in December.

The guys at NFL radio have been all over him since the All-Star games. The MDD consensus mock has him as the #30 OA prospect and projected to the Seahawks at #18.

[Tomcat]

With no real activity to get excited about in FA for the Guard position, i'm really thinking that will end up being our 1st round selection and then BPA on defense in the 2nd.

I'd feel better if we trade back in the low to mid-20's and pick up an extra 2nd or 3rd and then hit guard with our first and BPA for defense with our 2nds.

[*ochocincos*]

(03-31-2025, 05:06 PM)SunsetBengal Wrote: The guys at NFL radio have been all over him since the All-Star games. The MDD consensus mock has him as the #30 OA prospect and projected to the Seahawks at #18.

I will say this as a personal opinion - Given the state of the Guards and how the Bengals haven't really "hit" on many early-round picks recently, I'm more interested to get a safe, good player than a slam dunk, pro-bowl/all-pro guy.

It sounds like This Zabel guy has a great ceiling, but can he be a solid starter immediately like I think guys like Jackson, Booker, and a couple others will be?
Or is this guy more of a Josh Allen type of 1st round prospect that may take a couple years to get where he needs to be?

Bengals arguably need someone who isn't going to take multiple years to ramp up, even if they do end up at Pro Bowl level.

[SunsetBengal]

(03-31-2025, 06:36 PM)ochocincos Wrote: I will say this as a personal opinion - Given the state of the Guards and how the Bengals haven't really "hit" on many early-round picks recently, I'm more interested to get a safe, good player than a slam dunk, pro-bowl/all-pro guy.

It sounds like This Zabel guy has a great ceiling, but can he be a solid starter immediately like I think guys like Jackson, Booker, and a couple others will be?
Or is this guy more of a Josh Allen type of 1st round prospect that may take a couple years to get where he needs to be?

Bengals arguably need someone who isn't going to take multiple years to ramp up, even if they do end up at Pro Bowl level.

The arm length might cause hesitation to start him at Tackle, but I think that he could start at any of the 3 interior positions right away, and even be available for swing tackle duty.

[FormerlyBengalRugby]

I am not a fan of the pick, but appreciate the sentiment.

The franchise put a ton of money into the QB position, then doubled down and threw bags of cash and Ja;Marr and Tee.

Gotta give Joe time to throw, and more importantly, protection so he does not get hurt.

[SunsetBengal]

(03-31-2025, 07:53 PM)FormerlyBengalRugby Wrote: I am not a fan of the pick, but appreciate the sentiment.

The franchise put a ton of money into the QB position, then doubled down and threw bags of cash and Ja;Marr and Tee.

Gotta give Joe time to throw, and more importantly, protection so he does not get hurt.

Or even a quicker notice to get rid of the ball? I mean, he brings a lot of it on himself by holding onto the ball seemingly forever...

[jj22]

He shined in the Senior Bowl 1 on 1’s.

[*Synric*]

(03-31-2025, 06:36 PM)ochocincos Wrote: I will say this as a personal opinion - Given the state of the Guards and how the Bengals haven't really "hit" on many early-round picks recently, I'm more interested to get a safe, good player than a slam dunk, pro-bowl/all-pro guy.

It sounds like This Zabel guy has a great ceiling, but can he be a solid starter immediately like I think guys like Jackson, Booker, and a couple others will be?
Or is this guy more of a Josh Allen type of 1st round prospect that may take a couple years to get where he needs to be?

Bengals arguably need someone who isn't going to take multiple years to ramp up, even if they do end up at Pro Bowl level.

Grey Zabel is definitely a week 1 starter at any of the 3 interior positions. He is a quality athlete with excellent technique and alot of starts. I have a second round grade on him because he doesn't have the best power and his grip strength can be inconsistent. 

[*ochocincos*]

(Yesterday, 06:32 AM)Synric Wrote: Grey Zabel is definitely a week 1 starter at any of the 3 interior positions. He is a quality athlete with excellent technique and alot of starts. I have a second round grade on him because he doesn't have the best power and his grip strength can be inconsistent. 

Is he going to be a "good" starter though right out of the gate, is my concern.

Technically Volson was a starter Week 1 of his rookie year, but he was never "good."

I know I'm biasing the player because of the school/conference, but typically we have seen a bigger adjustment needed for FCS guys compared to their FBS counterparts due to jump in level of competition they have been going against for the previous 3+ years. Even if that FCS player ends up being good by or before the end of their rookie contracts.

I'm not denying Zabel's long-term ability, just asking will he be ready to hit the ground running against NFL DL in by early September of this year? I don't want yet another year of slow starts and end up affecting playoff appearance/seeding because of it.

I'm not saying this because I've watched clips of him and have doubts. I literally never heard of the dude and haven't watched anything on him. Just purely basing him off coming from FCS and being jaded by Volson.

[Clark W Griswold]

(03-31-2025, 09:16 PM)jj22 Wrote: He shined in the Senior Bowl 1 on 1’s.

Yes I think I read somewhere (one of espns draft guys maybe) but he said that Zabel was the best player he saw all week during the senior bowl.

I just saw that Field Yates has the Bengals taking Zabel with pick 17 in his new mock draft.

[*ochocincos*]

(5 hours ago)Clark W Griswold Wrote: Yes I think I read somewhere (one of espns draft guys maybe) but he said that Zabel was the best player he saw all week during the senior bowl.

I just saw that Field Yates has the Bengals taking Zabel with pick 17 in his new mock draft.

All I gotta say is whoever they take at 17 needs to be able to show up well when on the field and not need 1+ years of development time to get there.
We can't have another Myles Murphy or Dax Hill.
Some fans will lose it if the plan is, yet again, high draft picks only need to contribute within 2-3 years from now because the starters are so good for this upcoming season, as we all know that's definitely not the case this season.

[Bilbo Saggins]

They say that there's a tier from say 15 to 35 where the talent is pretty even. If you believe that, some of the "reaches" that will happen in the mid to late first aren't really going to be reaches. That's if you believe that. 17 seems a little rich. Especially for a guy who doesn't really fit the profile of the rest of the guys in the room. Are they slowly going to replace their entire room full of not so athletic linemen with zippy athletic wide zone guys? I'd prefer Booker but hey. They could do worse than Zabel in the first.