“I’m in the very initial stages of getting to know this year’s group,” O’Connell said, “but I can tell you there’s a lot of versatility.”
Jeremiah said Zabel, the Bison tackle who projects as an NFL guard, is a first-round option for a team like the Vikings at No. 24 overall. Missouri’s Armand Membou, Texas' Kelvin Banks Jr. and Ohio State’s Donovan Jackson are also getting early-round hype as possible NFL guards.
“The fact that it is, I believe, a deep draft at the position is an exciting thing,” O’Connell said, “and knowing that as we get into the evaluations, it’s about finding the players that meet the criteria: smart, tough, love football. Then you look at your scheme and where you want to evolve to and how they fit into that. But I’m excited to get to know these guys.”
“It was a huge loss for a lot of aspects of our play style,” O’Connell said, “[and] what we really wanted to play like. … We were able to overcome it, but I’ll very much be looking forward to getting C.D. back. The rehab process, he’s absolutely killing it every step of the way. So, I look forward to seeing how this spring and summer go and get him ready to roll for 2025.”