Pick 18: Grey Zabel

[samwize77]

yeah...no one really knows....but that's why they SCOUT players and not ask us keyboard warriors

Exactly.........like they did with Malik Mcdowell, LJ Collier and others. Even the best don't REALLY know.

 

[Ostatehawk]

Zabel wouldn't have lasted to 50. Or even 30. Love the pick, and so do most experts.

KC had him on their wish list - didn't think he would drop to them.

Thier board is in a full-on fist fight over their pick of Josh Simmons, who is recovering from a blown patellar tendon. Apparently, this injury statistically results in an 11% recovery rate for O-lineman. It is entertaining to watch them eat one another.

 

[bileever]

I am usually more complimentary of our picks than the average poster, but I dislike this one. Love going OL, but I see too much with Zabel that I just don't see translating immediately. Feels like a player who should've been taken 50 instead of 18 to me.

Again, love addressing the OL, but I don't like the player selected here compared to the value of the pick.

I know where you're coming from. I like the pick, but I agree that it isn't a slam dunk. I'm choosing to be more optimistic here, and I haven't really looked closely at his tape or anything like that, so I'm mainly coming from a place of ignorance but I did see a lot of complimentary articles on Zabel and plenty of draft experts who thought he could go as high as 15.

We knew that there just aren't any interior offensive linemen available in free agency at this point, and if we don't get some help there, this year is not going to be any different from last year, so the way I look at it, this had to be done.

 

[12th Dimension]

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

Yep. Minny and Houston would have gone Zabel and Jackson. We needed a day 1 starter. JS had to make the pick with no LG's on the roster.

 

[glenwo2]

 

[glenwo2]

I know where you're coming from. I like the pick, but I agree that it isn't a slam dunk. I'm choosing to be more optimistic here, and I haven't really looked closely at his tape or anything like that, so I'm mainly coming from a place of ignorance but I did see a lot of complimentary articles on Zabel and plenty of draft experts who thought he could go as high as 15.

We knew that there just aren't any interior offensive linemen available in free agency at this point, and if we don't get some help there, this year is not going to be any different from last year, so the way I look at it, this had to be done.

Well here.

I'll be helpful :

 

[Shane Falco]

This is the only less than glowing review of our pick that I've seen so far. From 33rd Team (Ian Valentino)

18. Seattle Seahawks​

Selection: Grey Zabel, IOL, North Dakota State​

Positives: ​

• Experience and versatility to play almost every spot
• Great physical traits that can unlock a massive upside with refinement
• Relentless worker and finisher

Negatives ​

• Weaker lower body that struggles against power
• Bends at the waist far too often, opening himself for counters and rip-throughs
• Shorter arms will be a challenge to overcome

Team Fit​

Grey Zabel fits Seattle's athleticism requirements well, and he's a mauling run-blocker who immediately profiles as an upgrade at guard or center.

He'll be a menace in space as he hunts down defenders. His pass protection is an issue right now, though, as his technique and patience are not ready to hold up consistently in the NFL.

Grade: c​

 

[SoulfishHawk]

No matter what, and some just won't admit it............but if the team doesn't pick who THEY want, they immediately go into meh phase.

I look forward to more of it.


Grade C? That's adorable.

 

[Shane Falco]

They ripped a few of the picks, here's the article

2025 NFL Draft: Grades, Analysis For Every First-Round Pick

Explore our live grades and analysis for every first-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, covering every team's selection...

www.the33rdteam.com

 

[glenwo2]

They ripped a few of the picks, here's the article

2025 NFL Draft: Grades, Analysis For Every First-Round Pick

Explore our live grades and analysis for every first-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, covering every team's selection...

www.the33rdteam.com

I'm going to go unfollow them on twitter(X).

They're idiots.

 

[glenwo2]

OMG!!

 

[Rat]

This is the only less than glowing review of our pick that I've seen so far. From 33rd Team (Ian Valentino)

18. Seattle SeahawksView attachment 71199​

Selection: Grey Zabel, IOL, North Dakota State​

Positives: ​

• Experience and versatility to play almost every spot
• Great physical traits that can unlock a massive upside with refinement
• Relentless worker and finisher

Negatives ​

• Weaker lower body that struggles against power
• Bends at the waist far too often, opening himself for counters and rip-throughs
• Shorter arms will be a challenge to overcome

Team Fit​

Grey Zabel fits Seattle's athleticism requirements well, and he's a mauling run-blocker who immediately profiles as an upgrade at guard or center.

He'll be a menace in space as he hunts down defenders. His pass protection is an issue right now, though, as his technique and patience are not ready to hold up consistently in the NFL.

Grade: c​

C seems harsh, like it doesn't really even match their breakdown; it sounds like they're describing what would normally get a B grade. Maybe they have a stricter grading system.

I at least respect that they back up their thoughts with legitimate reasoning. Better than some lame, superficial analysis like "he went to a small school and no lineman from that state has ever gone in the first round before." I appreciate honest analysis even if it isn't glowing about the player.

 

[Shane Falco]

They really ripped Dallas for taking Booker. Gave them a D. I think it was their lowest grade given.

 

[SoulfishHawk]

That's cool and all, but I give them an A, so that's really what matters to me

 

[NoGain]

This was a weird draft. Most prognosticators were in agreement that there were two players that stood out talent-wise, Hunter and Carter. Then there were about 8-9 players who most were in agreement on them being true blue chip first rounders. The majority thought Cam Ward was the only QB worthy of a top ten pick, and Vegas had the over/under of QB's taken in the first round at 2.5 (the under won). There were potential flaws in drafting anyone from about mid-first round onward. Again, most prognosticators thought this draft to be more of a day two draft than a day one draft, a draft with a lot of second tier talent from a pre-draft perspective.

So for the Hawks, it seemed like either trade down for more picks if possible, or pick the best available talent at a position of need. Voila! They picked who they thought was the best available talent at a position of need, big need. I find it pretty hard to be critical of the pick. Yes, I've been one of those posters screaming for them to address to OLine. Hell, I hope they go for another OLman in their next two picks tonight if one warrants the selection.

I'm not sold on Olu at center. Or Bradford or Haynes at guard. I'm still shaky on Lucas with that mystery injury of his that has kept him from playing a full season. I'm cautiously optimistic on Cross, as he's shown steady improvement and may warrant that big second contract.

I want to see some real competition in camp this year to start on the OLine.

 

[Hawkstud]

Exactly.........like they did with Malik Mcdowell, LJ Collier and others. Even the best don't REALLY know.

Well, if Steve Hutchinson (who works behind the scenes for the Seahawks) advocated for the Zabel pick, that's good enough for me.

 

[Shane Falco]

Can you imagine Zabel and Sundell lined up next to each other. ND State reunion.

It could happen. It wouldn't surprise me if Sundell beat out Olu at some point. He showed some flashes that I didn't see with any of the other young guys. At least he will help him get acclimated with all the new surroundings. He said he was a mentor of his.

 

[Shane Falco]

C seems harsh, like it doesn't really even match their breakdown; it sounds like they're describing what would normally get a B grade. Maybe they have a stricter grading system.

I at least respect that they back up their thoughts with legitimate reasoning. Better than some lame, superficial analysis like "he went to a small school and no lineman from that state has ever gone in the first round before." I appreciate honest analysis even if it isn't glowing about the player.

I think just like PFF, they have quite a few different people writing these things out. I noticed a lot of times different guys from both sites would do mocks that would not line up with their own site's big boards. They are not all on the same page. But yeah, I always appreciate honesty above all else myself.

 

[Seahawkwalt1967]

Also of note:
Cross - 24 years old
Zabel - 23
Oluwatimi - 25
Haynes - 25
Lucas - 26

Barring salary cap and injuries, this could be our OLine for the next decade.

You forgot Ratledge ..

 

[Bear-Hawk]

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.

Nothing is a sure thing in the draft. One bonus is that he can play both guard and center.