With the 2025 NFL Draft kicking off Thursday, NFL analyst Daniel Jeremiah has released his final mock draft, including a surprising pick for the San Francisco 49ers.
By the time general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan are on the clock, several top prospects are already off the board. Offensive linemen Will Campbell, Kelvin Banks Jr., and Armand Membou are gone, as are defensive linemen Mason Graham and Mykel Williams. Even tight end Tyler Warren is snagged by the Chicago Bears just one pick ahead of San Francisco's scheduled selection.
Although popular 49ers projections like pass rushers Shemar Stewart and Jalon Walke remain available, Jeremiah has the team focusing on protecting quarterback Brock Purdy. He projects San Francisco to select offensive lineman Grey Zabel, a name not frequently linked to the franchise.
"The 49ers' offensive line needs an influx of young talent with Trent Williams approaching his age-37 season, Aaron Banks departing in free agency and Brock Purdy getting set to sign a massive extension. Zabel can step in and start at guard from Day 1," Jeremiah explained.
Zabel (6-6, 312) brings impressive versatility, having played 2,038 snaps between the left and right tackle positions during his five seasons with the Bison. He also logged 675 snaps at guard and 17 at center.
Zabel started 16 games in 2024, earning first-team Associated Press FCS All-American and first-team Missouri Valley Football Conference honors, posting career-best marks across the board—a 90.4 overall grade, 86.4 run-blocking grade, and a 93.1 pass-blocking grade, per Pro Football Focus. He allowed just one sack and seven total pressures over 970 snaps, including 453 in pass protection.
"Tough-guy profile on this prospect coming out of North Dakota State," analyst Lance Zierlein wrote in his draft profile for NFL.com. "Zabel has an NFL frame with room for additional mass and possesses a good starting point in terms of his play strength. He has to play with really quick hands and good feet in order to compensate for short arms that make sustaining blocks and controlling pass rushers more challenging. Teams might ask Zabel to snap during draft season in order to project positional flexibility."
Pro Football Focus' big board ranks Zabel the No. 5 offensive tackle in this draft class.