Texans named 'perfect fit' for FCS All-American OL Grey Zabel at pick No. 25

[ASFN Admin]

Despite being from a small-school mantra, North Dakota State's Grey Zabel fits the pedigree of what Houston Texans general manager Nick Caserio looks for in a first-round pick.

He's a starter from a championship-caliber program. The Bison are fresh off winning another FCS national title earlier this season, where Zabel started at left tackle for all 17 games.

He's a multi-year starter with experience at more than one position, including left guard, left tackle and right tackle. Zabel even saw some reps during his week in Mobile, Ala. at center, though he's expected to shift inside to guard permanently in the pros.

Zabel was also a team captain and the anchor of the Bison's offense, something that often is an underlying trait for the Texans when targeting talents.

So, will the Texans draft the do-it-all offensive lineman with the No. 25 overall pick? That's what ESPN's Jordan Reid would do if he was Caserio when on the clock, calling him the "perfect fit" for Houston in the first round.

watching NDSU's Grey Zabel today: one of the more efficient movers in this OL class. gonna be an awesome center in the NFL.

this was my first "Oh!" moment with him. LT74 gains ground with his first step, gets his backside leg in the ground upfield and RUNS the DL off the ball. pic.twitter.com/hpJHFKM0O5

— Mike Golic Jr (@mikegolicjr) March 6, 2025

"Clearly not happy with its offensive line performance (54 sacks allowed last season), Houston surprisingly traded left tackle Laremy Tunsil to Washington last week, then acquired guard Ed Ingram from Minnesota in another trade and signed guard Laken Tomlinson," Reid wrote. "The Texans also signed Cam Robinson this week to replace Tunsil, but the need to add more high-quality starters along the offensive line remains the same. Zabel (No. 29 on my board) primarily played tackle at NDSU, but he can be a plug-and-play starter at center or guard with his physicality and strong anchor."

While Tomlinson and Ingram should compete for a starting job, both shouldn't be full-time starters. Kenyon Green and Shaq Mason's departures only means that Houston must acquire another interior offensive linemen.

Depending on where the run for tackles begins, Zabel could be the player available at pick No. 25. Should a tackle like Texas' Kelvin Banks Jr. or Ohio State's Josh Simmons fall, shoring up a long-term replacement for Tunsil should be the top priority.

North Dakota State OL Grey Zabel was spectacular yesterday. Not only did he dominate 1:1s, but he was climbing, finding work, and driving through the whistle well in teams as well. pic.twitter.com/j8tWGAi4tI

— Cory (@fakecorykinnan) January 29, 2025

Either way, Houston securing an offensive lineman is essential. While Zabel isn't the big-time school player that usually lands down at NRG Stadium with the first pick, he could be the missing link for an underwhelming and much-needed improved offensive line.

This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Texans named 'perfect draft fit' for small-school OL at pick No. 25

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