Prospect Profile: Gray Zabel, iOL, North Dakota State

Protecting the Passer

He always plays with a wide split and gets out of his stance well, with a naturally efficient kick-slide which he maintains even when engaged with edge-rushers with more speed. He’s patient and rarely panics, maintaining his excellent footwork in most situations no matter his set depth. However when he does face a high-side rush, he can rock back on his heels somewhat in a vertical set, something that will be taken advantage of at the next level if he plays outside at OT. Normally though, he has a wide and balanced base, he has excellent bend and drops a formidable anchor when challenged with a bull-rush or speed to power, even if his hands are engaged sub-optimally or not at all. He can also reset his feet and re-anchor when the DL gets some movement into the pocket against him. His core strength is excellent and could even be maximized further into play strength. You can see him use a more traditional strike to the breast-plate but he will also frequently use the hands outside method. His hands are excellent no matter what technique he is using. He routinely hits his aiming point, and when using hands outside, he is an expert at consistently torquing one elbow to work one hand inside so he can control the rep. His core strength allows him to use this method because he does allow rushers into his chest but consistently stalemates them with his anchor when challenged in this way. He is able to do this through his strength but also his processing as he quickly identifies where pressure is coming from and breaks down the Defensive Lineman’s rush plan to understand how he needs to defend, this is particularly true when reacting to inside moves – he has a very effective power step. He can also use this ability when reacting to stunts and games, where he seems to know it’s coming before it’s even started to be executed. The one small weakness to his game in pass protection is his hand timing, no matter what technique he is using, he has a tendency to be too patient and can be a touch late to trigger his hands. You can also see him use a ghost hand and has a snatch and trap he can deploy. He’s also good at reacting to well deployed counters, such as a push-pull move or push slide move, used after he stalemates a bull-rush, the DL struggle to move him because of his core strength.

Run Blocking

On the move: He has good foot speed to work into space to make blocks and has excellent positioning for blocks at the second level. This doesn’t just mean the speed to get to the defender but means coming under control and executing technically sound footwork as you approach the block to give you the best chance of a fit and finish. Zabel does this consistently and it’s difficult for even those defenders with good processing and lateral agility to get away from his block. He can reach block a 5 technique when he’s play-side on Outside Zone.
Blocking the big dude across from him:On Drive blocks he bends really well to win the leverage battle and exert his play strength at the point of attack. It allows him to fit and finish with authority downfield. On angle blocks he will get out quickly and fit the block well but those with good play strength will be able to stalemate and hold their ground against him. On Down blocks, his fit is a little off as his hand placement is not quite right when faced with a smaller surface area to block. His hand will slide onto the defenders back and he will lose play strength. He has power at the line of scrimmage on Double teams but spends way too long there finishing the block before releasing to the second level.

DRAFTED RAVEN COMP
More polished and stronger Chris Chester

PRODUCTION
SR: 961 snaps at LT
JR: 686 snaps at RT, 211 snaps at LG
:SO: 378 snaps at RT, 152 snaps at LG
INJURY HISTORY: None

RAVENS FIT
Expl. Athleticism 4
Ftbl Intelligence 4
Vrsatility 4
Grit 4
Scheme 5