2. Kevin Zeitler
2012, No. 27
Don’t wince too hard at this — if the Bengals are smart they’ve fully learned their lesson here.
Zeitler was the second of two first-round picks in 2012 and hopped in as starter and never looked back. Even as a rookie, Zeitler casually threw out a 75.2 grade at PFF. That’s right in line with where he’s graded as one of the league’s better right guards with two different teams over the last two seasons.
Zeitler was a rock for the Bengals over five years, tallying more than three flags in a season just once. Given his performance and the fact he held up against a defensive line boasting Geno Atkins each day in practice, the failure to bring him back has hopefully been a pivot point for how the front office treats the offensive line now — he’s still out there at the age of 30 playing at a high level.