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Reports that teams have Zabel graded as OG1and he could come off as high as 13…who’s picking at 13?
If he’s the pick how is everyone feeling
Grey Zabel, OG, North Dakota State: The first line of my scouting report on Zabel reads, “He just moves differently than every other IOL in this class—and it’s not even that close.” Based on my conversations in the past 10 days, I’m not alone in thinking that. Everyone in the league I’ve spoken with recently has Zabel as their top-ranked interior offensive lineman. His grade varies based on scheme fits (he’s best in a heavy zone-blocking scheme, less so in a gap/power-heavy scheme). But Zabel’s going higher than people think. My guess is there will be a bigger gap between where Zabel and Alabama’s Tyler Booker come off the board than between where OT1 and Zabel are selected. I love the fit in Seattle at no. 18, and it won’t shock me if he goes as early as no. 13.
Also mentions DLineman:
Look Out for a Run On Front-Four Defenders
Defensive linemen might fly off the board earlier than many expect. Here’s what I’m hearing on some of the top prospects.
Jalon Walker, edge, Georgia: He’s very much considered one of the top six players in this class and, unlike Jeanty and Tyler Warren, he plays a premium position. I will be very surprised if Walker is available at no. 8 for the Carolina Panthers, which is the spot most people have been eyeing for him. I think he can go as high as nos. 4, 6, or 7.
Mykel Williams, edge, Georgia: I think he could go as high as 6 to the Raiders, but he could also land at 8 (Panthers) or 9 (Saints), especially if Walker is already off the board. My conversations about Williams have him squarely in the top 15. One evaluator I spoke to has him ranked among the top seven prospects overall.
Shemar Stewart, edge, Texas A&M: Not everyone loves him, but those who do reallylove his potential and motor. Danielle Hunter and Rashan Gary are both good comps for Stewart. Two teams I’ve spoken to have him in the top six overall. The clock starts on Stewart at no. 6 with the Raiders—I can’t imagine he’ll get past Cincinnati at no. 17.
James Pearce Jr., edge, Tennessee: He’s not on every team’s board. I’ve heard a couple of teams won’t blink if Pearce is available and the board falls a certain way. Keep an eye on Atlanta at no. 15 and Cincinnati at no. 17.
Walter Nolen, DT, Ole Miss: Like Pearce, Nolen has some red flags that have turned teams off, but his talent is undeniable. Some teams believe they have the coaches and veterans in place to keep Nolen motivated and on the right path. The clock starts at no. 11 with San Francisco. Atlanta is another possibility at no. 15.
Kenneth Grant, IDL, Michigan: He’s still developing—some see him purely as an old-school “two down” player, while others see his upside as a pass rusher. He’s unlikely to be impactful in the way Dexter Lawrence has been for the Giants, but there’s untapped potential that teams will find exciting. There are only so many human beings on the planet who can move the way Grant does at 331 pounds. I would guess at this point that his floor is the Chargers at no. 23.
JT Tuimoloau, edge, Ohio State: The top of this year’s class is weaker than in previous years, so teams picking later in the first round and early in the second are prioritizing finding starters, especially plug-and-play players with high floors and a clear vision for how they can affect their team. Tuimoloau fits the criteria for traditional base 4-3 defensive teams to a tee.
If I’m being transparent, I’ve fallen victim to draft fatigue with Tuimoloau. He was eligible for last year’s draft and has played a lot of football for Ohio State; I’ve written scouting reports on him dating back to the summer of 2022. I recently went back and refreshed myself by watching his tape, and I’m so glad I did. His film is so much better than my previous reports. He’s so damn strong, tough, and instinctive. Guys like him just don’t fail in the NFL (with a caveat for health, as with all prospects). He’s unlikely to be a double-digit sack guy year over year, but he’ll be an impactful, every-down starter from day one. He’s a top-40 pick, for sure. Do not be surprised if you hear his name called on night one.
Darius Alexander, IDL, Toledo: He’s not getting out of Round 2. There are concerns about his production at the level he played at in college, and he has some leverage/technique issues that aren’t ideal. But he carries his weight beautifully, has great upper-body power, and his tape versus Pitt combined with his Senior Bowl showing are too impressive to ignore. Teams that can’t address IDL in the first round will have Alexander on their shortlist in Round 2 (alongside Tyleik Williams, TJ Sanders, and possibly Alfred Collins).
If he’s the pick how is everyone feeling
Grey Zabel, OG, North Dakota State: The first line of my scouting report on Zabel reads, “He just moves differently than every other IOL in this class—and it’s not even that close.” Based on my conversations in the past 10 days, I’m not alone in thinking that. Everyone in the league I’ve spoken with recently has Zabel as their top-ranked interior offensive lineman. His grade varies based on scheme fits (he’s best in a heavy zone-blocking scheme, less so in a gap/power-heavy scheme). But Zabel’s going higher than people think. My guess is there will be a bigger gap between where Zabel and Alabama’s Tyler Booker come off the board than between where OT1 and Zabel are selected. I love the fit in Seattle at no. 18, and it won’t shock me if he goes as early as no. 13.
Also mentions DLineman:
Look Out for a Run On Front-Four Defenders
Defensive linemen might fly off the board earlier than many expect. Here’s what I’m hearing on some of the top prospects.
Jalon Walker, edge, Georgia: He’s very much considered one of the top six players in this class and, unlike Jeanty and Tyler Warren, he plays a premium position. I will be very surprised if Walker is available at no. 8 for the Carolina Panthers, which is the spot most people have been eyeing for him. I think he can go as high as nos. 4, 6, or 7.
Mykel Williams, edge, Georgia: I think he could go as high as 6 to the Raiders, but he could also land at 8 (Panthers) or 9 (Saints), especially if Walker is already off the board. My conversations about Williams have him squarely in the top 15. One evaluator I spoke to has him ranked among the top seven prospects overall.
Shemar Stewart, edge, Texas A&M: Not everyone loves him, but those who do reallylove his potential and motor. Danielle Hunter and Rashan Gary are both good comps for Stewart. Two teams I’ve spoken to have him in the top six overall. The clock starts on Stewart at no. 6 with the Raiders—I can’t imagine he’ll get past Cincinnati at no. 17.
James Pearce Jr., edge, Tennessee: He’s not on every team’s board. I’ve heard a couple of teams won’t blink if Pearce is available and the board falls a certain way. Keep an eye on Atlanta at no. 15 and Cincinnati at no. 17.
Walter Nolen, DT, Ole Miss: Like Pearce, Nolen has some red flags that have turned teams off, but his talent is undeniable. Some teams believe they have the coaches and veterans in place to keep Nolen motivated and on the right path. The clock starts at no. 11 with San Francisco. Atlanta is another possibility at no. 15.
Kenneth Grant, IDL, Michigan: He’s still developing—some see him purely as an old-school “two down” player, while others see his upside as a pass rusher. He’s unlikely to be impactful in the way Dexter Lawrence has been for the Giants, but there’s untapped potential that teams will find exciting. There are only so many human beings on the planet who can move the way Grant does at 331 pounds. I would guess at this point that his floor is the Chargers at no. 23.
JT Tuimoloau, edge, Ohio State: The top of this year’s class is weaker than in previous years, so teams picking later in the first round and early in the second are prioritizing finding starters, especially plug-and-play players with high floors and a clear vision for how they can affect their team. Tuimoloau fits the criteria for traditional base 4-3 defensive teams to a tee.
If I’m being transparent, I’ve fallen victim to draft fatigue with Tuimoloau. He was eligible for last year’s draft and has played a lot of football for Ohio State; I’ve written scouting reports on him dating back to the summer of 2022. I recently went back and refreshed myself by watching his tape, and I’m so glad I did. His film is so much better than my previous reports. He’s so damn strong, tough, and instinctive. Guys like him just don’t fail in the NFL (with a caveat for health, as with all prospects). He’s unlikely to be a double-digit sack guy year over year, but he’ll be an impactful, every-down starter from day one. He’s a top-40 pick, for sure. Do not be surprised if you hear his name called on night one.
Darius Alexander, IDL, Toledo: He’s not getting out of Round 2. There are concerns about his production at the level he played at in college, and he has some leverage/technique issues that aren’t ideal. But he carries his weight beautifully, has great upper-body power, and his tape versus Pitt combined with his Senior Bowl showing are too impressive to ignore. Teams that can’t address IDL in the first round will have Alexander on their shortlist in Round 2 (alongside Tyleik Williams, TJ Sanders, and possibly Alfred Collins).
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