Top Seahawks pick Grey Zabel’s pro debut draws national praise

It’s not often that drafting an offensive lineman generates widespread excitement among an NFL fanbase.

But given the Seattle Seahawks’ longstanding issues in the trenches, fans across the Pacific Northwest were ecstatic when the team spent its first-round pick this spring on highly touted offensive lineman Grey Zabel.

And in his first taste of in-game NFL action, Zabel made a strong first impression.

Zabel, who’s expected to be Seattle’s Week 1 starting left guard, played the first two offensive series in Thursday night’s preseason opener against the Las Vegas Raiders. The 6-foot-6, 316-pound North Dakota State product received a standout 81.2 Pro Football Focus grade, which was the fourth-highest mark on the Seahawks’ offense.

Zabel appeared to hold up well in pass protection against Raiders first-string defensive tackle Jonah Laulu, including one particular play where he completely walled off Laulu on an unsuccessful swim move attempt. Zabel also was a force in the run game, pancaking rookie fourth-round defensive end Tonka Hemingway into the ground at one point.

On Friday morning, Zabel’s play earned him some praise from NFL Network analyst Brian Baldinger, who featured him in one of his “Baldy’s Breakdowns” on social media (watch here).

“Boy, what a debut he had,” said Baldinger, a former longtime NFL offensive lineman. “He is a pitbull. He just stays on you until you hit the ground and then he rolls on top of you. … Once he sticks to you, he doesn’t get off of you. Like, he stays on you. Pick any play, any play that he played last night. No bad plays. Like, he’s just wiring these guys up one after another.

“OK, how long do you need, Drew Lock? Do you need 3 seconds? Do you need 4 seconds? How long do you need? I’ll give you as long as you need right here. … He did a great job last night. He was fun to watch. (The Seahawks) are better up front with Grey Zabel.”

Baldinger then closed with a message for Seahawks fans.

“Everybody should get a Zabel jersey,” Baldinger said. “Start buying them now. They’re gonna fly off the shelves. This guy is gonna be in the breakdown every week. I can tell it already.”