Grey Zabel

[c_hawkbob]

Well we went OG in round 1, just not my guy (damn Cowboys!)

Nice that we didn't trade back.

[Aseahawkfan]

You were right on the position, c-bob. This is a first. None of the remaining QBs were worth a first round pick. They must not be great since no one is taking them.

[govandals]

Need meets value with the Zabel pick. Glad JS didn't overthink it or try to get cute, just took the obvious pick. This guy feels like he will lock down a spot for the next 10 years.

[River Dog]

I'm shocked, not that the Zabel isn't worth a first-round pick, but that Schneider actually took a IOL, or at least with the intention of playing him at guard, rather than trade back or burn it on a reach for a WR or RB.

And yes, good call C-bob, even though it wasn't the guy you had in your mock.

[c_hawkbob]

Zabel was a possibility for me too, he and Booker are both great looking prospects, but I decided to go with the guy who had done it at the bigger school. Alabama plays a whole other range of competition than North Dakota State. Zabel's Senior Bowl workouts eased that concern though, he was an absolute beast in his one on one drills.

[TriCitySam]

I was on Booker as well, and was pretty well thinking that Schneider would take an OL guy. Sounds like they were trying to trade back, and most of the pre-draft stuff I saw had him going lower so it wouldn’t of hurt my feelings if they would’ve traded down a few spots. I always worry about someone coming from a small program like that we saw what happened with Trey Lance. But at the end, he stuck and got a guard and we sure needed one. I read they had Steve Hutchinson work him out.

[Stream Hawk]

Great pick. Safe is sometimes better and he also was considered BPA by some. I heard via .net that Daniel Jeremiah said Zabel was his favorite player in the entire draft. Also, is smart and interviews very well. Sounds like a great guy that will work his ass off. IMO he has a Hutch ceiling.

[NorthHawk]

I’m on a cruise around Japan at the moment so I can’t see the draft live but am encouraged that the Seahawks took an OL that can play inside. ProFootballRumors.com suggests that IOL might not be his final position. It makes sense if you consider JS likes versatility and we could get a better idea after May 1st when the 5th year option on Cross comes due. If Cross isn’t extended it could mean that Zabel moves to LT which leaves us still with a huge hole in the middle.

From ProFootballRumors.com:

While guard could be the rookie’s temporary landing spot, Zabel’s savviness means he could ultimately land at tackle…or perhaps he’ll realize his pre-draft reports and settle in as an elite center. There’s even a chance his role evolves through his rookie campaign. It’s a bit of an unknown, and that certainly provides a bit of intrigue to the selection. Seahawks fans will want to keep an eye on where Zabel lines up during rookie minicamp.