With the 18th overall pick, the Seattle Seahawks struck gold with their selection of North Dakota State's Grey Zabel. Seahawks fans were hoping this would be the pick that was called when Roger Goodell approached the podium to announce Seattle's pick and here we are.
As Seahawks fans are well aware of, the team has had a major problem trying to fix their interior offensive line so Zabel immediately shores that up. Earlier in the day, Seahawks fans were a bit panicked when a report stated that the Dallas Cowboys could snag Zabel at pick 12.
Well, as soon as the Cowboys opted to go for Alabama's Tyler Booker instead, Seattle fans were likely breathing a sigh of relief. While the NFL Network broadcast noted that the Seahawks were trying to move down, staying put and adding a talented player at a position of need is okay too.
Seahawks hit the jackpot with first-round selection of Grey Zabel
The great thing about Zabel is that he's versatile and can play anywhere on the offensive line. He played center at the Senior Bowl but spent his 2024 season with the Bison at left tackle. The likely option for him is to play left guard in Seattle, a position where the Seahawks' best option otherwise is Sataoa Laumea, a sixth-round pick in last year's draft.
The Seahawks might have wanted to move down and add some draft capital but in staying put, they got the guy they wanted at a major position of need. They also managed to land the best guard in the draft, making this an absolute steal for Seattle.
While Dallas went with Booker six picks earlier, the Seahawks stayed put and got the better option at guard. This should go down as a successful pick for the Seattle Seahawks.