The team selected Zinter in the 3rd round on Friday night
The Cleveland Browns selected Michigan G Zak Zinter with the 85th pick in the 3rd round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
Cleveland undoubtedly has one of the strongest interior offensive lines in the league, but it’s hard to tell how long it will remain intact. Depending on Joel Bitonio’s combination of health and age along with Wyatt Teller’s contract status, one of them could be gone heading into 2025.
The team felt it necessary to solidify the depth behind these two stalwarts, as well as give the team security for the future. Zinter has a legitimate chance to develop into an above-average replacement at one of the guard spots in the near future.
Name
Zak Zinter
Position
Offensive Guard
Height/Weight
6’5.7”, 309 pounds
College
University of Michigan
Stats
2023: Started 12 games at RG – missed final 3 games due to broken tibia/fibula
Overall: 45 games – 42 starts
Relative Athletic Score
Zak Zinter was drafted in round 3 pick 85 in the 2024 draft class. He does not qualify for a #RAS due to a lack of measurements. https://t.co/7aemQVC8l7 pic.twitter.com/3gZkl0VhTe
— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) April 27, 2024
“Big Board” ranking at time of publishing
What experts are saying
“Zinter enters the league with NFL size, toughness and technique. He is an average athlete in short spaces but is very capable of climbing to the second level with good angles and making hits on short pulls. He can be stood up and neutralized by two-gapping pluggers but is rarely beaten soundly. His pass protection will be average by NFL standards. Active rushers will give him more issues than you might like. Zinter’s draft stock might be hindered by the recovery from his injury, but the tape suggests he’s a starter on the next level.” – Lance Zierlein, NFL Draft Analyst
“Overall, Zinter is a competent, accomplished and mature player with the size, football intelligence and competitive toughness to add value to an NFL offensive line room as a quality depth piece. He has serviceable starter upside if he fully recovers from his leg injury.” – Brandon Thorn, B/R
“Zinter is a starting-caliber offensive lineman in the NFL. While his relatively average athletic ability limits his ceiling at the next level, his good play strength and very good base of fundamentals give him a role in the NFL as a starting-caliber player.” – A.J. Schulte, PFN Scout
Pros
- Incredibly sound footwork, awareness, and execution in the run game
- Strong hands, latches onto defenders and doesn’t let go
- Excellent ID’ing stunts and blitzes in pass protection
- Good body control in pass pro, great anchoring ability against bullrushers
- Has the power to vertically displace defenders at the POA
- Displays a natural ability to pull and attack landmarks with consistency
Cons
- Seems stiff in certain situations
- Still rehabbing from leg injuries
- Feet seem to be a tad slow when facing quicker opponents
Browns player drafting will impact in 2024
Michael Dunn. Though Dunn has performed well when pressed into duty over the past four seasons, Zinter has the talent to be the top interior depth option as a rookie.
His top-notch run-blocking ability and scheme versatility gives the team a player that could develop into a starting offensive guard within the next two seasons depending on the futures of Joel Bitonio and Wyatt Teller.
What are your thoughts on Zak Zinter? Join fellow Browns fans in the comment section below.
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