After a 10-7 season in their first year under new head coach Mike Macdonald, the Seattle Seahawks earned the 18th overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft. On Thursday, they used that selection on North Dakota State offensive lineman Grey Zabel.
Zabel, 23, played offensive and defensive lineman at T.F. Riggs High School in Pierre, North Dakota, before committing to North Dakota State ahead of the 2020 season.
Through the first two years with the Bisons, Zabel was a backup interior offensive lineman (seeing snaps at center and both guard spots), but in 2022, he took over as a starter, playing four of the five positions on the offensive line. This past year, he finally settled in, playing 961 snaps all at left tackle.
In his collegiate career, Zabel won two national championships and earned First-team All-MVFC and First-team FCS All-American honors once.
RELATED: NFL Draft trades tracker 2025: Full details on every deal to move up, down in Rounds 1-3
Seattle desperately needed offensive line help in this draft, especially after allowing sacks on 8.35% of dropbacks in 2024 (24th in the NFL) and then losing starting guard Laken Tomlinson to the Houston Texans.
It's unknown exactly where Zabel will line up for the Seahawks in 2025, but his versatility should allow him to play wherever they feel they need him most as a rookie.
Follow The Sporting News on WhatsApp
SEAHAWKS DRAFT GRADES FOR GREY ZABEL
Vinnie Iyer, The Sporting News: A
"The Seahawks get a much-needed option to upgrade their interior offensive line. Zabel is a plus tackle-level athlete who can move people out of the way for Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet in the new athletic run-blocking scheme of Klint Kubiak."
Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz, USA Today: B-
"The selection that seemed to make too much sense to happen really came to fruition. Zabel has been seen for some time as the perfect fit for offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak's scheme and a necessary salve for Seattle's woes on the interior. This also marks John Schneider's full retreat from his previous stance that the guard market was out of whack. But Zabel also could also be in for a rough introduction to the pros when he faces off against much more athletic defensive linemen who will try to jolt him backward."
"He can play guard or tackle or center. The Seahawks were a disaster on the offensive line, so it works. Zabel showed well at the Senior Bowl, which helped elevate his draft stock, This works."
Gilberto Manzano, Sports Illustrated: B+
"Zabel is considered by many as the top center in this draft, but he’s also viewed as one of the best guard prospects. Regardless of where he plays, he has the makings of being a stout blocker for Sam Darnold.
Those are two positions the versatile Zabel didn’t play last season, starting 16 games as North Dakota State’s left tackle. He started 12 games at right tackle the year prior and started games at left guard and right guard in his five collegiate seasons. Zabel is an exceptional run blocker thanks to his footwork and balance."
MORE SEAHAWKS NEWS
Seahawks free agent Tyler Lockett announces his next NFL team
Seahawks GM gives surprising answer for Charles Cross' 5th-year option
Vikings trade proposal adds Seahawks $4 million quarterback behind J.J. McCarthy
Cowboys trade proposal lands Seahawks $4 million quarterback to compete with Joe Milton