2025 NFL Free Agency and Draft: IOL

[MaroonBells]

It might just be my imagination, but it does appear the Vikings want to get a little bigger up front and use a little more gap. That's exactly what the Buckeyes did. 

"They [Ohio State] have gone from zone blocking to more of a gap scheme, which creates good blocking angles for offensive linemen."

I think Jackson would be a great fit for us. He came in for left tackle Josh Simmons after he went down with a knee injury and played well there. Vikings may ask him to do the same thing while Darrisaw recovers. Played a lot of gap at OSU, but you see a lot of reach blocks in his clips. 

[StickierBuns]

p.s. Donovan has been a riser recently....he's right there neck and neck with Booker. I'd take either in a nanosecond at #24. Four 1st round draft picks and Fries starting. And a power back in Mason? A rested Aaron Jones? Putting Rondale Moore all over the place in motion? And my boy at QB? Jim Harbaugh may even shed a tear.....

Good f-ing luck NFCN.

[JustInTime]

[MaroonBells]

9. WYATT MILUM, West Virginia (6-6 ½, 313, 5.30, 3-4): Made 43 starts at both tackles in a four-year career. “Second-round pick,” one scout said. “Great kid. Needs a little more anchor strength. Good enough feet. Not a left tackle; definitely a right tackle. He’s better than the tackle (Colton McKivitz) that came out of there a couple years ago (fifth round, 2020) and he’s better than the center (Zach Frazier, second round, 2024) that went to Pittsburgh.” Shortest arms (32 1/8) of the top nine guards. Hands were 10 ¼. “He’s a solid Day 3 pick,” a second scout said. “There will be some questions about his arm length. Some people think he’ll be a better guard than tackle.” From Kenova, W.Va. “He’s nasty, tough, physical,” said a third scout. “Eat-shit-and-die kind of guy. Bad athlete. Rickety, on the ground all the time. It didn’t help that he was playing left tackle. He’s barely draftable. He’ll probably make it somewhere but he’s not very good.”

[JustInTime]

A strong OL is quite the deodorant for any shortcomings.

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1. GREY ZABEL, North Dakota State (6-6, 312, no 40, 1-2): Played on FCS national championship teams in 2021 and 2024. “He’s what you would expect from North Dakota State: tough, physical, friggin’ blue-collar brawler,” said one scout. “Very smart. Instincts and reactions are very good. Played pretty good on the move. Good bender. At the Senior Bowl, the practices were better than the game. Real-deal interview. Loved the interview. He’s probably a great fourth-round pick. If somebody buys too much into the dude he might end up in the third.” Started 16 games at left tackle in 2024 after starting at every other position besides center in a five-year career. NFL scouts from each team voted him the overall practice player of the week in Mobile. Impressed personnel people by how effective he was playing some center during the week. “He’ll probably be a starting guard or center but he could get you out of a game at tackle,” said a second scout. “There’s real value there. The Senior Bowl has had a good run of small-school offensive linemen. Terron Armstead, the Hobart kid (Ali Marpet), (Cody) Mauch, (Quinn) Meinerz. But why he’s going (high) is because people are trying to make him a center.” Mauch played alongside Zabel from 2020-’22 before being drafted by the Buccaneers in 2023 (second round). “I gave Mauch the same grade,” said a third scout. “I think Cody was better in the run game because he could get out in space and run a little faster. I liked Grey a little more in the pass. The way they finish — Grey models his game after Cody’s. My only hangup with Grey is the length.” Arms were just 32. Hands were 9 ½. “He’s not exactly the measurements you want,” a fourth scout said. “Little bit short-armed. This kid can play center but I think he’s better off at guard. Tough, powerful, can move his feet, OK in space, can mirror and adjust. The last two guys out of there the last three years (wide receiver Christian Watson, Mauch) are starters. He’ll play a long time.” His vertical jump (36 ½) led the offensive linemen at the combine. Bench press of 26. “He’s all right,” said a fifth scout. “Does a little bit of everything OK. Nothing too exciting. He’s not a first-rounder at all. He’ll start.” Three-sport athlete from Pierre, S.D., where as a left-handed pitcher he threw in the 90’s on the radar gun.

[MaroonBells]

I probably wouldn't go OL, but when I think about this...

Darrisaw—Booker, Zabel or Jackson—Kelly—Fries—O'Neill

...it makes me wriggle.

[JustInTime]

I probably wouldn't go OL, but when I think about this...

Darrisaw—Booker, Zabel or Jackson—Kelly—Fries—O'Neill

...it makes me wriggle.

You want the chocolate mousse but you have to eat your broccoli first. It’s good for ya. In this scenario you can land Henderson or any home run hitter you want.

[JustInTime]

[JustInTime]

[StickierBuns]

I probably wouldn't go OL, but when I think about this...

Darrisaw—Booker, Zabel or Jackson—Kelly—Fries—O'Neill

...it makes me wriggle.

I've been wriggling for awhile thinking about this scenario. Once you really give it some thought, you see what it could mean for the offense and JJM. Four 1st round picks and Fries on that O-line.