2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Grey Zabel (OT – North Dakota State)

FantasyPros will be taking a look at early NFL Draft scouting reports before the Combine in March. Here’s a look at North Dakota State offensive tackle Grey Zabel. And check out our entire 2025 NFL Draft Guide.

2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Grey Zabel

Grey Zabel (OT – North Dakota State)

6-foot-6 | 305 Pounds

Background

Grey Zabel Appeared in five games, starting three at right guard as a freshman, then rotated in at both guard spots over 11 games the following year. Starting seven games (six on the line, one as a jumbo tight end) in 2022, including the last five games of the year at right tackle (the vast majority of his other snaps came at left guard.)

Became a full-time starter in 2023, with the first three games of the season coming at left guard before moving to right tackle for the remainder (two sacks, eight penalties.) Was the team’s starting left tackle all year this season, allowing just one sack.

Positives

Zabel comes into the draft with extensive starting experience split between four different positions in the Bison’s zone-based offense. Offensive line coaches will love his aggression and physicality. Fires out of his stance low and with explosiveness; does a great job of generating push at the point of attack to win in a phone booth. Has a whiplike character to his strikes.

Zabel’s short-area quickness is impressive; easily climbs to the second level to seal the hole, showing a good understanding of positioning. Crushes the outside shoulder when blocking down. Shows good flexibility through his body, with solid knee-bend in his pass sets.

Demonstrates consistent, controlled footwork in his kick slide to protect the edge. Nice lateral quickness to get depth and stay in front of opposing speed rushers. Absorbs power very well, playing with a sufficiently wide base and showing impressive contact balance. Good hand placement high and inside. Played well when the team took a step up in level of competition.

Negatives

Arm length (32.25 inches) is shorter than you’d like in a tackle. This could lead teams to view him as a conversion candidate. Some tendencies to lower his head into contact. Back can be a bit hunched at times in his pass sets.

Zabel’s arms occasionally flare out in pass protection. Would be nice to see him get tighter with his arms and higher with his hands to punch more effectively. Has a lot of power in his hands, but can struggle to place them consistently inside and get a good grip on opponents, creating some opportunities for second-effort pressures. Penalties have been an issue.

Summary

A very impressive prospect and a legitimate tough guy with an excellent combination of explosiveness, quickness, flexibility and nastiness that should allow him to develop into a quality starter at the next level — zone-based tackle scheme being his most likely role.

Despite being a small-school prospect, Zabel showed he can hang with the best rushers he’s come across, including against teams like Colorado. His extensive experience across the line should ease his transition into the NFL. Probably more of a second-round pick, but deserves some first-round consideration.

Projection: Round 1/Round 2

Check out all of our 2025 NFL Draft Scouting Reports