The Green Bay Packers’ playoff struggles highlighted a major weakness—lack of depth on the interior offensive line. Bruce Feldman’s latest mock draft aims to address that issue, offering expert insights from rival coaches.
For the 2025 NFL season, the Packers plan to start Aaron Banks at left guard, Elgton Jenkins at center, and Sean Rhyan at right guard. With Jordan Morgan competing for the left tackle position, the team needed to find reliable depth inside.
Bruce Feldman of The Athletic, known for his annual “Freaks List” of the most athletic college players, projected North Dakota State’s Grey Zabel as Green Bay’s first-round pick at No. 23. Zabel would continue the trend of FCS-level offensive linemen making an impact in the NFL.
“He’s a talented, physical player,” a Missouri Valley head coach told Feldman. “I don’t think he’s quite as good as Cody Mauch (Buccaneers guard) or Spencer Brown (Bills offensive tackle), but he’s better than Trevor Penning (Saints first-round offensive tackle). Grey is a great athlete, though Mauch had better flexibility and played with more aggression.”
At the Scouting Combine, Zabel measured nearly 6-foot-6 and 312 pounds. While he didn’t run the 40-yard dash or complete agility drills, his jumping metrics showcased his athleticism.
His strong Combine performance followed an impressive Senior Bowl week, where he transitioned from college left tackle to guard and center, proving his versatility. NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah described him as a potential “Day 1 starter” after he logged 26 snaps at center and 21 at right guard during the game.
“It was an incredible experience,” Zabel said at the Combine. “Getting back in pads and playing football again felt great. The Senior Bowl gave me the chance to compete against top-tier talent and prove myself. It’s a highly competitive environment, and I felt like I performed well.”
Despite having 32-inch arms, which likely limits him to an interior role, Jeremiah praised his “legit five-position flexibility.”
“He plays with excellent balance,” Jeremiah added. “He’s always in control, rarely on the ground, and has strong hands. His awareness and ability to read defenses stand out. He’s played a lot of football and erased doubts about coming from a smaller program during the Senior Bowl. I’m a big fan and see him as a legitimate first-round pick.”
In 2024, Zabel earned first-team All-American honors while starting 16 games for the FCS national champions. Though he faced a different level of competition than SEC linemen, he allowed just one sack that season.
According to Pro Football Focus, Zabel played 2,776 snaps in his college career, gaining experience across multiple positions: 974 at left tackle, 463 at left guard, 17 at center, 222 at right guard, 1,064 at right tackle, and 42 as an extra tight end.
“The key is understanding the different responsibilities that come with each position,” he explained. “Whether it’s hand placement, stance, or even snapping the ball, you have to be ready for anything. A team may need you anywhere on the line in a given week, so being the best all-around football player is crucial.”
Elsewhere in the draft, the Minnesota Vikings selected a safety, while the Detroit Lions opted for a pass rusher. At wide receiver, Arizona’s Tet McMillan and Texas’ Matthew Golden were picked just before Green Bay’s turn.
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