Grey Zabel - listed at OT but projected as future C | Page 2

m_brockalexander · 2025-01-03T06:23:13-08:00

Here is one lineman that definitely should be on the Niners radar. Zabel comes from an FCS program with a long legacy of sending offensive linemen to the NFL. He has been playing LT for the Bison, but The Draft Network projects him as an ideal center candidate for the NFL. Either way, he would fit the Niners profile for versatile offensive linemen. https://thedraftnetwork.com/2024/12/12/grey-zabel-scouting-report-nfl-draft://thedraftnetwork.com/2024/12/12/grey-zabel-scouting-report-nfl-draft

Feb 5, 2025 at 11:26 AM

#16

frankieuc68
Veteran
Posts: 5,915

Originally posted by Hoovtrain:

Originally posted by Phoenix49ers:

Originally posted by Hoovtrain:
Looks like he may be R1 when all is said and done. Kiper and some other draft guy on nfl live both said they now have him end of R1 post SB.

I'm at the point where if Graham isn't there, and if they aren't sold on Starks or Conerly then I'd just trade down and keep trading down and convert the added compensation into additional 2nd and 3rd round picks.

Agreed. Load up….and make sure you pick the right guys. Talent seems aplenty and comparable this year outside of a few of the top guys this year

Yup. The more picks in the top 100-120, the better. And knowing Kyle can't help himself picking a RB,TE or a WR in those higher picks. At least you have more ammo to address other needs if it comes down to that.

Feb 6, 2025 at 7:48 AM

#17

genus49
Moderator
Posts: 28,198

Originally posted by Phoenix49ers:

Originally posted by Hoovtrain:
Looks like he may be R1 when all is said and done. Kiper and some other draft guy on nfl live both said they now have him end of R1 post SB.

I'm at the point where if Graham isn't there, and if they aren't sold on Starks or Conerly then I'd just trade down and keep trading down and convert the added compensation into additional 2nd and 3rd round picks.

That's what I do every mock draft simulation I run.

Never know how things still shake out in the coming months, some guys may kill the combine and secure themselves as the smart pick at 11 but given the depth in this draft it just feels like trading down is the smart move.

Of course the issue there is, if we're looking to move down, why would someone be looking to move up?

Sure wish there were 4 QBs going top 10.

Feb 6, 2025 at 8:18 AM

#18

CatchMaster80
Veteran
Posts: 20,374

Originally posted by genus49:

Originally posted by Phoenix49ers:

Originally posted by Hoovtrain:
Looks like he may be R1 when all is said and done. Kiper and some other draft guy on nfl live both said they now have him end of R1 post SB.

I'm at the point where if Graham isn't there, and if they aren't sold on Starks or Conerly then I'd just trade down and keep trading down and convert the added compensation into additional 2nd and 3rd round picks.

That's what I do every mock draft simulation I run.

Never know how things still shake out in the coming months, some guys may kill the combine and secure themselves as the smart pick at 11 but given the depth in this draft it just feels like trading down is the smart move.

Of course the issue there is, if we're looking to move down, why would someone be looking to move up?

Sure wish there were 4 QBs going top 10.

Three weeks until the combine. Where average players become stars and good players drop because of a slow 40 time.

I watch the combine and view it more as entertainment than anything else. I still feel that game film is a better way to evaluate players. However there are some players from smaller schools that can be discovered. Others that may have been buried on a depth chart.

Feb 6, 2025 at 12:19 PM

#19

genus49
Moderator
Posts: 28,198

Originally posted by CatchMaster80:

Originally posted by genus49:

Originally posted by Phoenix49ers:

Originally posted by Hoovtrain:
Looks like he may be R1 when all is said and done. Kiper and some other draft guy on nfl live both said they now have him end of R1 post SB.

I'm at the point where if Graham isn't there, and if they aren't sold on Starks or Conerly then I'd just trade down and keep trading down and convert the added compensation into additional 2nd and 3rd round picks.

That's what I do every mock draft simulation I run.

Never know how things still shake out in the coming months, some guys may kill the combine and secure themselves as the smart pick at 11 but given the depth in this draft it just feels like trading down is the smart move.

Of course the issue there is, if we're looking to move down, why would someone be looking to move up?

Sure wish there were 4 QBs going top 10.

Three weeks until the combine. Where average players become stars and good players drop because of a slow 40 time.

I watch the combine and view it more as entertainment than anything else. I still feel that game film is a better way to evaluate players. However there are some players from smaller schools that can be discovered. Others that may have been buried on a depth chart.

100% but we know the combine still impacts decisions. For OL i'm curious to see the movement numbers. I don't recall who put together a pretty good list but it showed that OLmen who hit certain numbers generally go on to play very well. Puni and Kingston I believe both hit those numbers and maybe even Nugent who we picked up as UDFA which certainly leads to possibility that 49ers made that connection as well.

Could also just be strange coincidence.

Feb 6, 2025 at 1:32 PM

#20

Sask49erFan
Veteran
Posts: 1,966

Originally posted by frankieuc68:

Originally posted by Hoovtrain:

Originally posted by Phoenix49ers:

Originally posted by Hoovtrain:
Looks like he may be R1 when all is said and done. Kiper and some other draft guy on nfl live both said they now have him end of R1 post SB.

I'm at the point where if Graham isn't there, and if they aren't sold on Starks or Conerly then I'd just trade down and keep trading down and convert the added compensation into additional 2nd and 3rd round picks.

Agreed. Load up….and make sure you pick the right guys. Talent seems aplenty and comparable this year outside of a few of the top guys this year

Yup. The more picks in the top 100-120, the better. And knowing Kyle can't help himself picking a RB,TE or a WR in those higher picks. At least you have more ammo to address other needs if it comes down to that.

Yes, because our last few years of 2nd and 3rd round picks have been so great.

Drake Jackson, Cameron Latu, Jake Moody, Ja'iyr Brown, Tyron Davis Price, Danny Gray, Trey Sermon, Ambry Thomas, Jalen Hurd.

Stay at 11 and draft the BPA no matter the position. We can supplement depth in free agency. We need to draft a Pro-Bowl player at 11.

Feb 6, 2025 at 3:08 PM

#21

Phoenix49ers
Veteran
Posts: 131,737

Originally posted by Sask49erFan:
Yes, because our last few years of 2nd and 3rd round picks have been so great.

Drake Jackson, Cameron Latu, Jake Moody, Ja'iyr Brown, Tyron Davis Price, Danny Gray, Trey Sermon, Ambry Thomas, Jalen Hurd.

Stay at 11 and draft the BPA no matter the position. We can supplement depth in free agency. We need to draft a Pro-Bowl player at 11.

You neglected to add Renardo Green and Puni, both who looked pretty good as rookies. Lets hope they draft more guys like that.

Feb 7, 2025 at 12:26 AM

#22

maxsmart
Veteran
Posts: 2,784

Originally posted by Sask49erFan:
Yes, because our last few years of 2nd and 3rd round picks have been so great.

Drake Jackson, Cameron Latu, Jake Moody, Ja'iyr Brown, Tyron Davis Price, Danny Gray, Trey Sermon, Ambry Thomas, Jalen Hurd.

Stay at 11 and draft the BPA no matter the position. We can supplement depth in free agency. We need to draft a Pro-Bowl player at 11.

If you suck at drafting, it doesn't matter if you pick BPA even as high as #3 (like Trey Lance and Solomon Thomas)
Hopefully the 49ers are better at drafting, but they have been really bad drafting high picks
If they can get a good trade down that's their best move

Feb 8, 2025 at 7:44 AM

#23

LifelongNiner
Veteran
Posts: 24,646

Originally posted by Sask49erFan:

Originally posted by frankieuc68:

Originally posted by Hoovtrain:

Originally posted by Phoenix49ers:

Originally posted by Hoovtrain:
Looks like he may be R1 when all is said and done. Kiper and some other draft guy on nfl live both said they now have him end of R1 post SB.

I'm at the point where if Graham isn't there, and if they aren't sold on Starks or Conerly then I'd just trade down and keep trading down and convert the added compensation into additional 2nd and 3rd round picks.

Agreed. Load up….and make sure you pick the right guys. Talent seems aplenty and comparable this year outside of a few of the top guys this year

Yup. The more picks in the top 100-120, the better. And knowing Kyle can't help himself picking a RB,TE or a WR in those higher picks. At least you have more ammo to address other needs if it comes down to that.

Yes, because our last few years of 2nd and 3rd round picks have been so great.

Drake Jackson, Cameron Latu, Jake Moody, Ja'iyr Brown, Tyron Davis Price, Danny Gray, Trey Sermon, Ambry Thomas, Jalen Hurd.

Stay at 11 and draft the BPA no matter the position. We can supplement depth in free agency. We need to draft a Pro-wl player at 11.

It's been bad, but do you think of they had say three 2nds and three or four 3rds, you seriously think they would whiff on all.those picks? I'm not against it as they could walk away with starting caliber talent at edge, DT, FS, OG, OT, and LB (or TE).

Feb 8, 2025 at 9:57 AM

#24

SanDiego49er
Veteran
Posts: 52,215

Originally posted by m_brockalexander:

Most impressive player today on either team was North Dakota State OL Grey Zabel. Played every spot up front, strong anchor, powerful hands.

Exceptional practice today.
— Jordan Reid (@Jordan_Reid) January 28, 2025

Sounds promising.

I would be glad to pick him somewhere in the draft. Hopefully we do. But he may go much higher than anticipated now. Since he's so versatile, big and talented.

Feb 8, 2025 at 11:48 AM

#25

Sask49erFan
Veteran
Posts: 1,966

Originally posted by LifelongNiner:
It's been bad, but do you think of they had say three 2nds and three or four 3rds, you seriously think they would whiff on all.those picks? I'm not against it as they could walk away with starting caliber talent at edge, DT, FS, OG, OT, and LB (or TE).

No. stay at 11 and get an impact DL or Starks at FS.

The difference of a top 1st pick or a mid 2nd/3rd pick is Malachi Starks vs Ja'iyr Brown.

[ Edited by Sask49erFan on Feb 8, 2025 at 11:48 AM ]

Feb 8, 2025 at 4:06 PM

#26

maxsmart
Veteran
Posts: 2,784

Originally posted by Sask49erFan:
No. stay at 11 and get an impact DL or Starks at FS.

What if their pick at #11 is a bust, like they usually are with this FO?
Better to trade down IF they get a good offer.

Feb 20, 2025 at 7:52 AM

#27

Cisco0623
Veteran
Posts: 14,457

I keep seeing him climb and Mbow as good centers.

If we don't address this in FA I cannot imagine them passing on either, but both may be gone by 43...

Feb 20, 2025 at 2:07 PM

#28

LifelongNiner
Veteran
Posts: 24,646

Originally posted by Sask49erFan:

Originally posted by LifelongNiner:
It's been bad, but do you think of they had say three 2nds and three or four 3rds, you seriously think they would whiff on all.those picks? I'm not against it as they could walk away with starting caliber talent at edge, DT, FS, OG, OT, and LB (or TE).

No. stay at 11 and get an impact DL or Starks at FS.

The difference of a top 1st pick or a mid 2nd/3rd pick is Malachi Starks vs Ja'iyr Brown.

Honestly, Starks is my guy at 11. He will help in every way. But given that need meets talent in picks 20 - 100, I doubt we'd blow multiple 2nds and 3rds in one draft. I wouldn't take a DL not named Mason Graham at 11. So its Starks or trade back for me.

Mar 13, 2025 at 8:19 PM

#29

Sask49erFan
Veteran
Posts: 1,966

We need a center badly and Zabel is a good one. He reminds be of Graham Barton who went in the 1st to TB and was a year one starter.

Im intrigued. But not at 11. Maybe a trade down with Houston for 25? They move up to get a tackle to replace Tunsil and we move back, get our center for the next decade and extra picks. Draft DLine later in such a deep DLine draft.

1.11 to Houston

for

1.25
2.58
2026 2nd

Mar 14, 2025 at 2:53 AM

#30

49erBigMac
Veteran
Posts: 8,008

Originally posted by Sask49erFan:
We need a center badly and Zabel is a good one. He reminds be of Graham Barton who went in the 1st to TB and was a year one starter.

Im intrigued. But not at 11. Maybe a trade down with Houston for 25? They move up to get a tackle to replace Tunsil and we move back, get our center for the next decade and extra picks. Draft DLine later in such a deep DLine draft.

1.11 to Houston

for

1.25
2.58
2026 2nd

If Graham is off the board I'd be very in on this. Zabel could easily go before that though, so would need back up options, who you got?

I'm still sticking at #11 and drafting either Michigan DT's, you'll see when Grant smashes his Pro Day that more will be with me.