Bulldozer
N/A
* = unofficial measurement
Bulldozer
One of the more puzzling non-combine invites of this draft season, Zavala's build and tape warrant a potential top 100 selection.
After four seasons at Fairmont State (one being cancelled due to the Pandemic), he transferred to N.C. State and took over at left guard in 2021.
He carries a thick frame from head to toe with big hands. When he gets a grip on defenders, their rush or plan of attack often comes to a halt. He does his best work playing in a phone booth, but showed adequate movement skills to operate on zone blocks too.
Zavala plays with an aggressive mindset that benefits him more than it hinders his play. He churns his legs and can wipe out his assignments from the play entirely. There are times in pass protection where he throws his entire upper half with his hands. NFL pass rushers will wisely use this to their advantage to counter inside.
Two knocks on him are a back injury that cost him seven games in 2021 and he turned 24 this April. He did undergo surgery for the back injury, something teams will closely monitor in medical reports.
Overall, there’s not a ton to nitpick in Zavala’s skill set. He is a powerful interior offensive lineman that was incredibly consistent in pass protection, with a road grading mindset in the run game.
Zavala had a pre-draft visit with the Jets.