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The trend in recent mock drafts has been to match North Dakota State offensive lineman Grey Zabel to the Arizona Cardinals. Zabel is an intriguing talent who has versatility and production, and he performed well both at the Senior Bowl and the NFL combine.
However, while he might be a worthy prospect for the 16th pick in the draft, it would seem to stray from how Cardinals general manager Monti Ossenfort has approached his first two drafts with Arizona.
Zabel played tackle last season but has played all over the line. He is projected to play guard or center in the NFL. He comes from an FCS school.
What are two trends for Ossenfort in two drafts so far? He doesn't draft from FCS schools and uses premium picks for premium positions.
In two drafts, with their picks in the first round, they have taken a tackle (Paris Johnson), a receiver (Marvin Harrison) and a defensive lineman (Darius Robinson). In particular, the defensive lineman has pass-rushing upside.
Johnson and Harrison came from Ohio State, one of the biggest programs in the nation. Robinson came from Missouri, an SEC school.
The Cardinals have drafted 21 players in two years under Ossenfort. None have come from the FCS. The only "small-school" player the Cardinals have taken is receiver Tejhaun Palmer out of UAB, which is still an FBS school, and he was taken in the sixth round.
The Cardinals' five player selections in the first and second rounds over two years of the draft have come from the Big Ten (three players — Johnson, Harrison and CB Max Melton) and SEC (two players — Robinson and OLB BJ Ojulari).
Zabel might be a solid player in the NFL. However, between being an FCS player who will not play tackle in the NFL, he doesn't appear to fit the profile.
Consider that over the month-plus leading up to the draft as we see more mock drafts.
Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire's Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.
This article originally appeared on Cards Wire: NFL draft: Why OL Grey Zabel isn't a 1st-round match for AZ Cardinals
Continue reading...
However, while he might be a worthy prospect for the 16th pick in the draft, it would seem to stray from how Cardinals general manager Monti Ossenfort has approached his first two drafts with Arizona.
Zabel played tackle last season but has played all over the line. He is projected to play guard or center in the NFL. He comes from an FCS school.
What are two trends for Ossenfort in two drafts so far? He doesn't draft from FCS schools and uses premium picks for premium positions.
In two drafts, with their picks in the first round, they have taken a tackle (Paris Johnson), a receiver (Marvin Harrison) and a defensive lineman (Darius Robinson). In particular, the defensive lineman has pass-rushing upside.
Johnson and Harrison came from Ohio State, one of the biggest programs in the nation. Robinson came from Missouri, an SEC school.
The Cardinals have drafted 21 players in two years under Ossenfort. None have come from the FCS. The only "small-school" player the Cardinals have taken is receiver Tejhaun Palmer out of UAB, which is still an FBS school, and he was taken in the sixth round.
The Cardinals' five player selections in the first and second rounds over two years of the draft have come from the Big Ten (three players — Johnson, Harrison and CB Max Melton) and SEC (two players — Robinson and OLB BJ Ojulari).
Zabel might be a solid player in the NFL. However, between being an FCS player who will not play tackle in the NFL, he doesn't appear to fit the profile.
Consider that over the month-plus leading up to the draft as we see more mock drafts.
Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire's Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.
This article originally appeared on Cards Wire: NFL draft: Why OL Grey Zabel isn't a 1st-round match for AZ Cardinals
Continue reading...
