SEATTLE — A week after Grey Zabel was selected in the first round of the 2025 National Football League (NFL) Draft, the Seattle Seahawks' newest offensive lineman is still in a state of disbelief.
The 6-foot-6 Zabel, who starred at North Dakota State where he played left tackle, right tackle, left guard and right guard, said Thursday at his introductory press conference that he's processing what it means to be the No. 18 pick in the draft.
"It still hasn't sunk in," Zabel said on May 1. "I have to wake up and pinch myself every single morning that I get to play for the Seattle Seahawks. It probably never will sink in."
The Seahawks made Zabel the fifth offensive lineman selected in the draft, trusting the North Dakota State product to be an important piece of an offensive line tasked with protecting new quarterback Sam Darnold.
In the week following the draft, Zabel said he's leaned on Seahawks legend Steve Hutchinson to make the transition to the NFL easier.
"Hutch has been awesome in this experience," Zabel said. "He's been a real mentor this past week. Being able to ask him all the questions a rookie or a new guy has been unbelievable. Super grateful for him."
Zabel said he'll approach his job as an offensive lineman with the mantra: Do as I do.
"I would say sweat equity is No. 1," Zabel said. "You never want to ask someone to do something you aren't willing to do or have done. I think in the offensive line room, sweat equity plays a huge role in leadership and understanding that you have to put in the work and the time. And understanding that you're blocking for someone else. You're protecting somebody else and the highest level you can do it at is making sure nobody touches your other guy. I think in the offensive line room, it's a unique trait to have being a leader there."
Seahawks rookie minicamp begins Friday.