By 605 Sports Staff

A 6-foot-6, 305-pound versatile lineman, Zabel recently impressed NFL personnel at the Reese’s Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama.  

Zabel earned the overall practice player of the week for the game in a poll of NFL executives from all 32 teams. 

Zabel played multiple positions across the North Dakota State University front during his college career. He continued to show that versatility at the showcase event, while also holding his own in 1-on-1 drills. 

NFL Draft experts have since taken notice. ESPN’s Field Yates projected Zabel to get selected by the Detroit Lions in the first round of his latest mock draft. 

“Zabel had a great week at the Senior Bowl that had me thinking about cornerback Quinyon Mitchell in 2024,” Yates wrote. “Like Mitchell did before the 2024 draft, Zabel dominated at a lower college level and then looked every bit the part against top competition at the all-star event. Zabel projects as an interior player in the NFL, which is the only part of the Lions' offense that looks vulnerable on paper going into 2025. He is powerful, marries his quick feet with active hands in pass protection and is ridiculously tough — he plays like a Lion.”

The NFL Draft is scheduled for April 24-26 in Green Bay, Wisconsin.