2025 NFL Mock Draft: Can I keep up my streak of correctly predicting the Eagles’ first-round pick?

Philadelphia’s selection in the SB Nation NFL writers mock draft is in.

With the No. 32 pick in the 2025 SB Nation NFL writers mock draft, the reigning Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles select … Grey Zabel, offensive lineman, North Dakota State.

Here’s the explanation I submitted:

“Two Super Bowl wins since 2017 has been made possible in no small part due to the Eagles heavily investing in the trenches. They arguably had the NFL’s best offensive line in each of their Vince Lombardi Trophy seasons. In this scenario, Howie Roseman selects a player who can immediately replace Mekhi Becton at right guard and perhaps eventually take over for Lane Johnson at right tackle. The Eagles’ interest in Zabel was first reported by Tony Pauline, who was all over Quinyon Mitchell to Philly last year. Pauline also correctly forecasted Cam Jurgens would not get past the Eagles’ second-round pick in 2022.”

Here’s what Pauline had to say about the Eagles’ interest in Zabel on March 1, by the way:

So where could Zabel end up? People tell me to keep an eye on the Philadelphia Eagles with the final pick of the first round. If the team cannot re-sign Mekhi Becton, and they’ll have to work the budget to bring the 2020 first-round pick back as I reported Thursday, they’ll have a hole at right guard. The feeling is that Zabel could fill that void and eventually take over for Lane Johnson at right tackle. And we know Howie Roseman of the Eagles loves to draft offensive linemen and does a great job of it.

Unfortunately, I don’t think this pick is realistic because Zabel might be long gone before the Birds are on the clock. NFL insider Albert Breer recently reported that the 23-year-old blocker could go off the board in the teens:

Last year, I wrote that Duke C Graham Barton was the “Trent McDuffie” of the 2024 class—in that he was a safe, middle-of-the-fairway type of pick, as a guy with exemplary football character and the versatility to do a lot of things for a team.

I think North Dakota State OL Grey Zabel is that guy this year.

He can start at four of five line positions, is tough and smart, and could become a team captain while still on his rookie contract (there’s some disagreement over whether his best position is center or guard). I think he could go as high as 12 to Dallas and is likely off the board by the end of the teens, with Seattle lurking at 18.

Daniel Jeremiah’s final mock draft has the San Francisco 49ers taking Zabel at No. 11. Zabel was selected at No. 14 in BGN’s community mock draft and Josh Norris also has him going to the Indianapolis Colts. Peter Schrager has Zabel going at No. 18.

Then again, Zabel is the No. 34 prospect in Arif Hasan’s consensus big board. His expected draft position is No. 23 by Grinding the Mocks. Perhaps there’s a scenario where the Eagles trade up for Zabel if he falls … but it’s hard to see him making it to No. 32. Especially with the offensive line-needy Kansas City Chiefs picking ahead of the Eagles since KC lost Super Bowl LIX.

Zabel was the top-graded Division I FCS offensive tackle by Pro Football Focus last year. He ranked sixth among ALL college offensive tackles (FBS, FCS, D2, and D3) and only slightly behind potential top 10 pick Armand Membou.

Eagles fans seemingly wouldn’t be thrilled with a Zabel selection. I previously asked for your selection preference if you were in the same spot as me in the SB Nation writers mock draft and here’s how the poll results turned out:

I certainly think Nic Scourton is a more realistic pick since there’s a better chance he’ll still be on the board. But I think he might be more of a Round 2 target, whether that’s trading down from No. 32 or even maybe landing him at No. 64?

As for Nick Emmanwori, Howie Roseman isn’t prioritizing safety over the trenches. C’mon.

When it comes to trying to keep my prediction streak alive, I might regret not taking Scourton.

In 2021, I had the Eagles drafting DeVonta Smith. They drafted DeVonta Smith.

In 2022, I had the Eagles drafting Jordan Davis. They drafted Jordan Davis.

In 2023, I had the Eagles drafting Nolan Smith. They drafted Nolan Smith (albeit at No. 30 instead of No. 10).

In 2024, I had the Eagles drafting Quinyon Mitchell. They drafted Quinyon Mitchell.

But I won’t regret making Zabel the pick in this mock draft activity since I believe the Eagles will prefer him if he’s within their reach.

Scouting report via NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein:

Tough-guy profile on this prospect coming out of North Dakota State. Zabel has an NFL frame with room for additional mass and possesses a good starting point in terms of his play strength. He has to play with really quick hands and good feet in order to compensate for short arms that make sustaining blocks and controlling pass rushers more challenging. Teams might ask Zabel to snap during draft season in order to project positional flexibility.

Relative athletic score:

Watch his highlights video: