2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Grey Zabel

Grey Zabel NFL Draft Profile

College: North Dakota State
College Position: Left Tackle
Ideal NFL Position: Guard/Center
Height / Weight: 6’5” / 316 lbs
Year / Age: Senior / 23
Draft Projection: Round 2
Where I’d Take Him: End of round 1 

Background

Grey Zabel was a standout multi-sport athlete at Pierre T.F. Riggs High School in South Dakota, where he excelled in football, basketball, and track and field. A dominant force in the trenches, Zabel helped lead his team to multiple state championships, earning first-team All-State honors and cementing himself as one of the top linemen in the region. Despite his success, he was lightly recruited on the national stage, receiving interest primarily from FCS programs and a few Group of Five schools. Ultimately, he committed to North Dakota State, drawn to the program’s reputation for developing offensive linemen and its dominant run-heavy scheme. His decision paid off, as he quickly emerged as a key piece of the Bison offensive line and developed into a NFL-caliber prospect. 

North Dakota State has quietly built a pipeline of NFL-caliber offensive linemen, and Grey Zabel looks poised to be the next standout from the Bison program. A multi-year starter, Zabel has been a Swiss Army knife for NDSU, logging snaps at all five offensive line positions throughout his college career. His versatility and football intelligence have made him a key asset in their power-heavy offense, and he has continued to develop into a legitimate NFL prospect.

Despite playing at the FCS level, Zabel consistently stood out against top competition. His 90.4 overall PFF grade ranked 7th and 93.1 pass block grade ranked 2nd amongst all offensive linemen (FBS and FCS). Of particular importance was his dominant performance in NDSU’s 2024 matchup against Colorado (90.1 PFF grade) which proved he could hold his own against Power Five defenders. However, it was his showing at the 2025 Senior Bowl that truly solidified his stock. Against some of the best interior rushers in the class, Zabel showcased his toughness, hand usage, and ability to anchor—erasing any concerns about the level of competition he faced in college.

Strengths

• Plays with a nasty demeanor—looks to finish blocks and bury defenders
• Excellent hand placement and independent hand usage in pass protection
• Smart, assignment-sound player who quickly picks up stunts and twists
• Quick out of his stance with good foot speed to execute reach blocks and pulls
• Strong functional mobility, allowing him to attack the second level in the run game
• Positional versatility—has experience at all five offensive line spots, with NFL teams viewing him as a guard or center
• Senior Bowl performance proved he can handle elite competition

Weaknesses

• Shorter arms (32 5/8 inches) will make life difficult even on the interior
• Can struggle with wide-speed rushers when forced to protect in space
• Occasionally gets too aggressive in the run game, leading to balance issues
• Still refining his technique in pass protection—can be inconsistent with his footwork
• Best position might be center where he only has 17 career snaps

Final Thoughts and Chicago Bears Fit

Zabel’s combination of intelligence, physicality, and versatility makes him an intriguing prospect for teams in need of interior line help. While he played at the FCS level, his ability to dominate in the run game and hold his own in pass protection has never been in question. His stellar performance in limited action against Power Five teams and at the Senior Bowl should ease any concerns about the jump in competition, proving he can handle NFL-caliber defenders.

Zabel’s combination of size, athleticism, and impressive lower-body mobility allows him to fit seamlessly into any scheme. Having played in NDSU’s run-heavy offense—which utilized both zone and gap concepts—he brings valuable experience executing a variety of blocking techniques.

For the Chicago Bears and Head Coach Ben Johnson, Zabel would be an ideal target at the top of the second round. His size and athleticism aligns with the type of linemen Johnson favored in Detroit and his versatility provides Chicago with much-needed flexibility along the interior. 

He has the tools to start immediately at guard while also offering long-term potential at center—a plan that could help ease his jump from the FCS to the NFL. With his toughness, intelligence, and ability to anchor a physical offensive line, Zabel is exactly the type of lineman the Bears should prioritize as they look to establish dominance in the trenches.

Pro Comp: Frank Ragnow