The Seahawks opted to fortify their front line with the addition of offensive guard Grey Zabel from North Dakota State at the No. 18 spot in the 2025 NFL Draft. Zabel becomes the highest drafted offensive lineman in FCS history. The 23-year-old Zabel is extremely versatile, with the potential to play all five positions on the offensive line. He will likely settle in the interior and provide excellent protection for new Seahawks' QB Sam Darnold this season. Zabel was widely considered one of the safest picks on the board with a high floor due to his versatility.
ESPN's Pete Thamel writes that no player produced more chatter during Senior Bowl practices last week among executives and scouts than North Dakota State offensive lineman Grey Zabel, according to a scout. Zabel's draft stock has risen after he played both center and guard spots last week. He played the majority of his snaps at right tackle in 2023 and was a first-team All-American in the FCS at left tackle for the Bisons in 2024. After creating a ton of buzz among scouts and executive last week during the Senior Bowl, Thamel thinks it's very realistic that Zabel could turn into a top-50 pick in the upcoming 2025 NFL draft in April. Zabel turned down "high six-figure offers" to stay with the Bisons to win a national championship with his senior class, which he accomplished.
Grey Zabel
• OL
•
Seahawks
