All signs appear to be pointing toward the Minnesota Vikings rolling into the 2025 season with J.J. McCarthy as their new starting quarterback. But regardless of whether this ends up being what happens or not, a big priority for the Vikings during the next few months is still going to be to improve the interior of their offensive line.
Depending on how things shake out in free agency this year, it's possible that Minnesota could decide to use one of its early selections in the 2025 NFL Draft in April on a top guard or center prospect.
If the film in the post below is any indication, former North Dakota State interior offensive lineman Grey Zabel should be near the top of the list of possibilities for the Vikings to draft later this year.
Here is every one-on-one rep by North Dakota State OL Grey Zabel.
— Marcus Mosher (@Marcus_Mosher) January 28, 2025
WHEW! pic.twitter.com/iyDOq2tySl
Grey Zabel proving at 2025 Senior Bowl he could drastically improve the Minnesota Vikings interior offensive line
During the 2025 Senior Bowl practices in Mobile, Alabama this week, Zabel has been generating a ton of buzz with his performance. Measuring in at 6-foot-5 and 316 pounds, Zabel "has been the most consistent lineman on either team throughout the first two days" of Senior Bowl practices, according to ESPN's Matt Miller on Wednesday.
Miller also shared how he had a second-round grade on the former North Dakota State blocker heading into this year's Senior Bowl, but he's been playing so well that some scouts now believe he could potentially come off the board in the first round of the 2025 draft.
Last season, Zabel started 16 games at left tackle for North Dakota State, and according to data from PFF, he allowed only one sack and seven pressures in 453 pass-blocking snaps while also generating an impressive PFF run-blocking grade of 86.5.
Despite lining up at left tackle and right tackle during his college career, Zabel is believed to be better suited as a guard or a center at the NFL level. He does have some experience as an interior blocker, as he started multiple games at left guard during his tenure at North Dakota State.
If Minnesota fails to sign a notable free-agent guard or center this offseason, don't be surprised if they do whatever they can to land someone like Zabel in this year's draft.
The Vikings are hoping McCarthy can emerge as the franchise's next great quarterback in the near future, and if that's going to happen, adding guys like Zabel to the team's roster needs to be a priority this offseason.