You should get to know this name
The New York Giants offensive line improved markedly in 2024 from it’s previous iterations. However there’s still work to be done up front, and the Giants could still need long term answers at right guard, right tackle, or both.
The Giants probably won’t be in a position to draft an offensive lineman highly in 2025, but they could invest a Day 2 pick along the line.
North Dakota State left tackle isn’t on the national radar just yet — after all, he plays for NDSU at the FCS level. But he has been one of the best offensive tackles in college football over the last two years.
Prospect: Grey Zabel (74)
Games Watched: vs. South Dakota State (2023), vs. Colorado (2024), vs. South Dakota State (2024), vs. Montana State (2024)
Red Flags: none
Measurables
Height: 6-foot-6
Weight: 305 pounds
Strengths
Best traits
- Versatility
- Athleticism
- Competitive toughness
- Pass protection
- Football IQ
Grey Zabel is an experienced and versatile offensive lineman who combines good technique and footwork with NFL caliber athleticism. Zabel has a diverse background and has started games at left and right tackle as well as at left guard.
He has solid size for an offensive lineman and is listed at 6-foot-6, 305 pounds. He has a flexible lower body and is a natural knee bender, allowing him to drop his hips and keep good leverage despite his height. Zabel is a smooth athlete, with quick, light feet and a balanced kick-slide. He’s able to easily expand the pocket with his kick-slide, keeping his pads square to the line of scrimmage until the last second, as well as mirror speed rushers off the edge. He seldom over-commits and maintains his balance on the move, which allows him to redirect inside easily. Zabel handles inside moves well and is also seldom tripped up by stunts and twists.
Zabel is an effective run blocker with adequate play strength for the position. He does a great job of using his feet to disperse power from bullrushes and is able to generate movement in the run game. He’s an effective pulling lineman, does a great job of staying in phase in zone schemes, and is quick to the second level.
He plays with great awareness as well as competitive toughness. Zabel keeps his head on a swivel and is always looking for work. Likewise, he has a definite nasty streak and not only strives to sustain his blocks, but also finish them.
Weaknesses
Worst traits
- Play strength
- Hand placement
- Block accuracy
How FCS level prospects handle the jump to the NFL is always a concern. Zabel will need to prove that he can handle the level of elite power and athleticism at the top of the FBS level over the course of the draft process.
He also has a few nits to be picked as a technician.
Most notably, Zabel needs to improve his hand usage as he transitions to the next level. He has a tendency to try and “catch” defenders as opposed to firing his punch. Not only does he not consistently disrupt rushes with a hard jolt, but his hands can land outside of opponents’ framework. That can make it difficult for Zabel to control them without drawing holding penalties as well as expose his chest plate and sacrifice inside leverage.
He can also suffer mystifying lapses in his accuracy and he occasionally simply seems to whiff on defenders. He might be dropping his eyes into contact, though the available angles aren’t conclusive on that front.
Zabel also has somewhat limited play strength. He has adequate size for a lineman at the NFL level, but might need a year in an NFL strength and conditioning program.
Game Tape
(Zabel is the North Dakota State left tackle)
Projection
Grey Zabel projects as a starting offensive lineman at the NFL level. He will likely be a Day 2 pick, and might need a year in an NFL strength and conditioning program before he’s able to fully hold up against NFL defenders. However, his football IQ, athleticism, competitive toughness, and versatility will be attractive to a wide variety of teams.
Teams might differ on whether they view Zabel as an interior lineman or an offensive tackle. It’s also possible that he’ll have the highest value to teams that primarily run zone blocking schemes. But while the media at large might not be talking about Zabel yet, he has the potential to hear his name called early and be a very pleasant surprise for the fanbase that gets him.
Does he fit the Giants?
Potentially, depending on scheme fit
Final Word: A second round value
