2025 NFL Free Agency and Draft: IOL

[Canthony]

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.

O'Neill was a 2nd round pick, but great point altogether.

[StickierBuns]

O'Neill was a 2nd round pick, but great point altogether.

Thanks for that correction, you are correct. 62nd player in round 2.

[JustInTime]

Booker has ideal size, awareness and consistency. In the pass game, he sets with a wide/firm base and easily absorbs power rushers. He keeps his hands tight and when he locks on, he wins. When he’s uncovered, he looks for work and delivers some nasty shots to unsuspecting opponents. In the run game, he can move defenders lined up over his nose and he is excellent on combo blocks up to the second level. He takes great angles, and he gathers and walls off linebackers. Sources at Alabama compare his leadership qualities to those of former Tide star Will Anderson Jr. Booker alleviated some concerns about his athleticism by posting a much better 10-yard split at his pro day than he did at the NFL Scouting Combine. He’s still a perfect fit for a gap-scheme team with a power running game.

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Zabel is a versatile offensive lineman with excellent toughness and awareness. He lined up at left tackle in 2024, but he has played four O-line positions during his collegiate career. I believe he’s best suited to play guard at the next level. In pass pro, he has quick feet, stays square and catches/absorbs rushers. His lack of length shows up on the perimeter. He allows defenders to capture his chest, but he still possesses the core strength and balance to stall their push. He shows the savvy to snatch rushers when they get overextended. I love his ability to fit up and drive defenders in the run game. He has a great feel on combo blocks, and he always looks to finish. He has a nasty playing style, but he doesn’t get caught off-balance. He's aced every test this offseason, from the Senior Bowl to the combine. Overall, I see Zabel as a Day 1 starter at guard.

[MaroonBells]

Now for the brakes...it's still a feckin' guard. It might fill our OCD need for a sense of "completion" of the OL, but it's still a feckin' guard. Super talks about not wanting to waste a pick on a safety. I don't agree with that, but that's kinda how I feel about IOL. At the end of the day, how much will it really impact the game? Not very. There's not even a guarantee that any of these guys will beat out Brandel. 

These are all the guards taken in the 1st round the last three drafts: 

Kenyon Green (15) - Total bust, traded for peanuts. 
Zion Johnson (17) - Disappointment, gave up 7 sacks last year, said to be on trade block
Peter Skoronski (11) - Mixed
Graham Barton (26) - Mixed

Yes, you can do that for every position, but I think we can get bigger bang for our buck with CB, S, DT or even RB.

[JustInTime]

All true. 

But if you hit and build an OL that rivals Philly, the impact ripples through the entire team, how you call a game, how the D calls a game. 

I can scheme out, to an extent, eliminating Jefferson, Moss, Sanders, etc. Can you scheme out an elite OL?

[MaroonBells]

All true. 

But if you hit and build an OL that rivals Philly, the impact ripples through the entire team, how you call a game, how the D calls a game. 

I can scheme out, to an extent, eliminating Jefferson, Moss, Sanders, etc. Can you scheme out an elite OL?

I think your point about scheming out an elite OL is a good one, but keep in mind that Philly line had only one 1st rounder. And I tend to think the improvements we've already made by adding Kelly and Fries will improve the OL dramatically. If OL is the pick, I still have a cat and a Samsung. Part of me would be pretty excited. But there are probably at least 2 or 3 positions I'd take ahead of it.

[supafreak84]

Brandel was the best of the three interior positions we needed to improve upon, but he did not play well. If we are using PFF he was far below average in every catagory. People say "well he was better next to Darrisaw" but was that because Darrisaw was able to mask some if his deficiencies that came to light when Darrisaw went down injured? Offensive line is such an important unit to team success and guard has become a premium position as evidenced by what we saw being paid out in free agency. We could realistically draft a starter this year that comes in and upgrades the Brandel spot and turn this unit around completely. Booker is a beast and a close friend of McCarthy. One of those "I'd die before I let someone hit my quarterback" kind of players and relationships. If we took Zabel he is probably our opening day left tackle and somebody who slides in at left guard when Darrisaw returns or it gives you the option of swinging Brandel out to tackle. Donovan Jackson does the same. I don't think we are done tinkering with the offensive line yet

[Knucklehead]

The quality of the IOL in this draft is going to drop off after the 2nd round. If you want to draft an IOL to groom as an eventual starter, draft him no later than round 2. After that the quality of the IOLs are going to be on par with Jurgens or Rouse.

[MaroonBells]

The quality of the IOL in this draft is going to drop off after the 2nd round. If you want to draft an IOL to groom as an eventual starter, draft him no later than round 2. After that the quality of the IOLs are going to be on par with Jurgens or Rouse.

I agree, and I think the same is true for DL. It's a much deeper DL class, but there's little point in drafting day three OLs or DLs when we just added Jalen Redmond, Drake-Rodriguez, Rouse and Jurgens last year. I think our late rounds will positions not many are talking about like TE, ILB and RB if we don't take on early.

[StickierBuns]

I agree, and I think the same is true for DL. It's a much deeper DL class, but there's little point in drafting day three OLs or DLs when we just added Jalen Redmond, Drake-Rodriguez, Rouse and Jurgens last year. I think our late rounds will positions not many are talking about like TE, ILB and RB if we don't take on early.

I know some want RB, I think Minnesota is looking toward next year's Draft for a RB. I bet they don't even Draft one this year. I'd rather go vet FA spend next year also for a ILB, need them to be smart in Flo's D more than a super athlete. Less mistakes. I could also see Minnesota going Edge D-line somewhere after round 1....but like round 3. 

The team isn't hurting for skill players. But let's fortify both lines of scrimmage and work from there. Like the land of plenty deal. Hell Detroit might grab an O lineman or D lineman and Hutch is back for them. We have to keep up on the lines. FA has been A+ but its not sustainable next year or probably the year after, time to hit on the Draft.