Pick 18: Grey Zabel

Lagartixa

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Shane Falco

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It feels like buying the brand new car that you wanted...at 110% of the catalog list price.

I don't feel that way in this particular draft. Booker went 12th and Jackson 24th. Those were the guys, Booker, Jackson and Zabel. The OT's that could have moved to guard and been studs went in the top 10 - Campbell, Membou and Banks.

If we would have waited we would be looking at 2nd tier guys if we were lucky for our most glaring need.
 

Hawkstud

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That's what was said last year when we got Haynes but he had a relatively tough year last year. Certainly was NOT plug n play as advertised. That is often the case with O Linemen. But I have hopes for Zabel to be the real deal right out of the gate.
and that was probably because of poor play calls & the reason that Grubb is no longer here.
 

Hawkinaz

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I'm a Hawksblogger type of guy myself.

Don't know who this jabroni is....
He is more of an online video gamer who streams he also attempts at sports commenting on Seahawks and Mariners. When I first saw his videos I thought he was a fully functioning Down’s syndrome

He is very critical if you disagree agree with him. My first experience with debating with him was after Wilson got traded and I wrote I was expecting the Bronco’s to be a poor team with the Bronco’s #1 pick we would be getting would be a top 10 pick, he said I was wrong criticizing me saying I didn’t know what I was saying. He thought Wilson would lead the Bronco’s into the playoffs
 

Hawkinaz

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Before the draft I was thinking 18 was too high for Zabel, but with our free agency signing being n other areas we really needed one of the top options for IOL.

In mocks I had either gone for Banks at 18 to have as guard (if available which he was maybe half the time), or trade down and pick up Booker or Zabel at the end of the 1st round. If a real stud dropped to us in another position maybe take them and move 50 up to the top of the second to get Booker or Zabel if available or get Jackson as late as we think safe to take him.

The O-liners were drafted significantly earlier than most of the consensus picks at 18. Banks went at 9 and Booker at 12. If we traded down it was quite likely that Zabel would be gone and even Jackson went at 24. Trading down would like mean we missed out on all the top tier OL.

I have no idea if we tried to trade down, it was mentioned in the broadcast but our picked seemed to be made pretty early. It also appears it was a leak that we were after Zabel which is concerning but I don't think on the night it had an actual impact.
I do have a feeling if Seattle had not drafted Zabel that Minnesota would have and not Jackson, with another team drafting Jackson before the end of rd 1
 

HawkRiderFan

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Based on the draft buzz i was hearing if the Hawks traded down or went elsewhere that pick, they would be deciding that the next best IOL plus whatever they did at 18 was better cause Zabel was not going to last.
I got pretty nervous when his name got mentioned when Miami picked.
 

RedAlice

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A+ from The Athletic

18. Seattle Seahawks: Grey Zabel, G/C, North Dakota State​

One of the smartest players in this class, Zabel played every position along the offensive line in college — and did so at a high level. He turned down big-time NIL money to stay at North Dakota State, then ultimately dominated at the Senior Bowl as arguably the best offensive lineman there.

For a team like Seattle, which has been trying to fix the interior of its offensive line for a half-decade now, this feels like an elite pick. Zabel (who helped run his family farm in college and will continue to do so during NFL offseasons) is one of the draft’s hardest workers. He’s a high-floor player who fills multiple needs for the Seahawks — an awesome pick here and a great fit.

Grade: A-plus
 

WmHBonney

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The team had a major need going into this draft, OG. They drafted a OG at pick 18. Hutchinson was drafted at 17. This player had a draft value between pick 13 and pick 27. Zabel was a flat out star at the Senior Bowl, JS likes players who show up at the Senior Bowl.

He was a top OLine player with his explosiveness, a college wrestler, good sized and an ideal candidate at a position of need. Besides he was the best fit for a zone blocking scheme which is what the team will do this year, and the #2 ranked OG regardless of scheme.

The grumblers can grumble but for me this was a good solid pick, and a real departure for JS who historically underrates interior OLinemen. If JS picked this player and he did ,he is regarded by the team as an exceptional choice.

I agree!

He’s our new LG.
The wrestling experience provides good hips and hand fighting technique. This kid is going to develop into a solid starter. If you look at the first-round picks overall, you will see that the top OGs didn't last. I'm glad we didn't get cute and miss out on Zabel.
 

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