Overview

Position: G

College: North Dakota State

Class: Senior

Age: 23

 

Measurables

Height: 6’5 7/8”

Weight: 312 lbs.

Arm length: 32”

Hand size: 9 1/2″

 

Athletic testing

40-yard dash: N/A

10-yard split: N/A

Vertical jump: 36.5”

Broad jump: 111.0”

Bench press: 26 reps

3-cone drill: N/A

Short shuttle: N/A

 

Strengths

Extremely versatile with the skillset to play all five positions. Outstanding grit. Extremely smooth movement skills. Great technique and mobility to reach a variety of blocks. Consistently slides and seals with positioning. Very accurate overall hand placement. Very smooth and effective turning opponents after he gets his hands on them. Excellent technique to seal the edge on perimeter reach blocks. Impressive acceleration and stop-and-start quickness. Quick off the ball. Calm reaching opponents on the edge. Quick reaction time to adjust versus moving targets on the second level. Very good drive strength on down blocks. Uses momentum against defenders to drive them off the spot. Terrific impact strength coming from the side on down blocks. Powerful driving and taking opponents down when he connects accurately. Will look to pummel opponents into the ground and pin them when he wins. Hustles to follow the action. Shows intensity for team success in the running game. Tremendous vision and awareness as a pass blocker. Plays with a wide foundation and ideal posture. Comfortable with wide pre-snap alignment in pass protection. Keeps hands in position to engage as a pass blocker. Excellent quickness to meet rushers off the ball. Great feet to redirect in pass protection. Moves his feet to block for extended periods in pass protection. Exceptional anchor strength. Experienced with unbalanced lines.

 

Weaknesses

Could be more consistently accurate and powerful on impact. Sometimes doesn’t connect with enough force versus aggressive linebackers. Works to drive but will allow defenders to get free late at times. Doesn’t always get his head around on further reach blocks. Bigger defensive linemen can cause some problems. Below-average length at offensive tackle. Mirror skills don’t quite match his footwork in the running game. Can get knocked off balance when rushers get to his frame. Appears more natural as a pass blocker at left tackle than right tackle.

 

NFL comparison

Joe Thuney

 

Conclusion

Overall, Zabel is a smooth, well-rounded offensive lineman with the desired combination of technique, movement skills, and grit. His best fit should be at guard in a zone or gap scheme where he can focus on creating seals in the running game.

 

Big Board ranking: #37 | Positional ranking: #4