Mel Kiper Throws Wrench into Vikings Mock Draft
The idea is “out there,” but some Minnesota Vikings fans would warm up to it rather fast.
Mel Kiper Throws Wrench into Vikings Mock Draft
ESPN’s Mel Kiper posted a predictive Round 1 mock draft this week as NFL Combine festivities kicked off in Indianapolis. And for the Vikings, Kiper predicted an offensive lineman, North Dakota State’s Grey Zabel.
“Enter Zabel, the ultimate swing man who can play anywhere. He played both tackle spots and both guard spots in college, and he took reps at center at the Senior Bowl — where he quieted any concerns about his level of competition at North Dakota State by dominating,” Kiper wrote for Minnesota’s selection at pick No. 24.
“I love his pass-blocking fundamentals, and he’s a Round 1-caliber player.”
The Vikings own four picks in this year’s draft and have the NFL’s lowest amount of capital during the event. General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah spent a sizable portion of 2025 draft capital last year on the trade that acquired outside linebacker Dallas Turner.
Zabel, listed as an offensive guard heading into the draft, would satisfy Minnesota’s long-term interior offensive line need. The Vikings were exposed in the postseason six weeks ago, surrendering 9 sacks to the Los Angeles Rams in a loss, a dubious playoff record — and not the good kind.
For now, Adofo-Mensah has guards Ed Ingram and Blake Brandel under contract for 2025, along with long-time center Garrett Bradbury. But most fans expect iOL change, especially after Kevin O’Connell’s comments about the Wildcard loss to the Rams. O’Connell was sure to call out the trenches.
“There’s no question that we got to be able to find a way to give a quarterback time. Especially with players like Jordan Addison, Justin Jefferson, T.J. Hockenson, we got to find a way to solidify the interior of the pocket, starting first and foremost,” O’Connell told reporters.
“There can be a thousand excuses made. But, for me, it’s the foundation of the interior of the pocket that we’re going to have to take a long look at.”
Zabel is listed as the 36th-best player on the current Consensus Big Board, so choosing him might be a small reach, at least per the court of public opinion in late February.
The Draft Network describes Zabel’s profile: “Zabel projects as an early-to-mid-round center with the tools to contribute early and develop into a full-time starter. His combination of unteachable traits and intangibles, paired with clear areas for growth, make him an exciting prospect with a high ceiling.”
Zabel is 6’6 and 305 pounds. He could, in theory, also play center.
He’ll turn 23 next month.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL.
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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