Grey Zabel vs. Donovan Jackson

[MaroonBells]

Heard some Viking fans on twitter bitching about Donovan Jackson while praising Grey Zabel. Both rookies, Zabel was taken 18th overall and Jackson 25th. Jackson missed three games due to injury, so this isn't one-to-one. Still, it's hard to make the argument that Zabel had a far better year than Jackson. 

Overall PFF grade
Zabel 57.3
Jackson 59.4

Run blocking
Zabel 56.3
Jackson 57.2

Pass blocking
Zabel 58.6
Jackson 65.7

Penalties
Zabel 6
Jackson 4

Sacks, hits, hurries, pressures
Zabel 6, 2, 5, 26, 33
Jackson 4, 2, 5, 19, 26

Crap games (pass blocking grades under 50)
Zabel 6
Jackson 2

[purplefaithful]

I believe there is medication for this...Might make someone sleepy though.

[JimmyinSD]

I live in SD, as many Vikings fans as any state not MN,  spent 3 days last week in Zabels home town,  and havent heard anybody say anything comparing the two.  Im not saying you can't find it if you go looking,  but seems like a mountain and molehill thing.

[supafreak84]

I thought Jackson had a good rookie season despite the injuries and playing most of the season with a broken/healing wrist. He'll hopefully be fully healthy next year and continue to improve

[MaroonBells]

I thought Jackson had a good rookie season despite the injuries and playing most of the season with a broken/healing wrist. He'll hopefully be fully healthy next year and continue to improve

I'm excited about Jackson's upside. Big (6-3.5, 317 lbs), strong (32 reps), athletic, and according to Brian O'Neill, has the right mentality to keep improving.