Tag: Zak Zinter

Numbers prove Browns’ new guard Zak Zinter is a brick wall

Zak Zinter is now a member of the Browns, and they may have found a gem.

With their third round pick in the 2024 NFL draft, the Cleveland Browns went north of the state border to land Michigan offensive guard Zak Zinter.

While he broke his tibia at the end of the Wolverines’ regular season win over the Ohio State Buckeyes (where new teammate Michael Hall Jr. reigns from), Zinter was nothing but consistently dominant when on the field. And the numbers back it up.

According to PFF, Zinter has played 677 pass-blocking snaps since 2022 and has allowed just 14 quarterback pressures and only two sacks in that time frame. These are the kind of numbers the Browns are hoping Zinter brings south with him as he travels from Ann Arbor to Cleveland.

He will have the luxury of not needing to see the field right away and the privilege to learn behind two of the best in the business in Joel Bitonio and Wyatt Teller.

Did the Browns land a gem?

Browns draft Michigan OL Zak Zinter with 85th overall pick in 2024 NFL draft

The Browns went defensive line in the second round, and now address the offensive line in the third round.

After landing Ohio State defensive tackle Michael Hall Jr. in the second round of the 2024 NFL draft, the Cleveland Browns now turn to the Buckeyes’ rival in round two to select Michigan offensive guard Zak Zinter.

Playing over 2,500 reps in his college career, Zinter is a seasoned veteran as he heads to Cleveland. He was a first-team All-American in 2023 for the Wolverines and was a member of the Joe Moore Award-winning unit in 2022.

Zinter broke his tibia and fibia in November in Michigan’s win over Ohio State. According to Mel Kiper, however, Zinter is expected to be ready to roll by the start of training camp.

With the aging of Joel Bitonio and the pending out in the contract of Wyatt Teller, the Browns make a move for a depth offensive lineman here. The Browns will want to give him a year to heal up and settle in, but Zinter may be asked to roll as early as 2025.

Zak Zinter heading to Ohio after being selected in 2024 NFL draft

One of the best guards of all time in Ann Arbor. #GoBlue

It didn’t take long for Zak Zinter to assert himself on the college level, getting unexpected early playing time as a true freshman along the offensive line — something of an anomaly.

During his sophomore campaign, Zinter was spoken of as potentially the best offensive player the Michigan Wolverines had on their roster.

That would be a theme. Despite several star players coming and going along the line from 2021-23, Zinter continued to be the road grader, setting the tone for the entire line. He was named a team captain in 2023 because of his leadership capabilities after deciding to come back for his senior year.

Zinter could have gone much earlier in the 2024 NFL draft had he not broken both his tibia and fibula late in the Ohio State game in 2023. He was immediately rushed into surgery and was walking without the assistance of crutches at times just over a month later on the sidelines at the Rose Bowl.

Of course, despite the setback, Zinter has a huge upside. Though he fell from being a potential Day 1 pick in the 2024 NFL draft, he ended up being a steal when finally selected. He was picked in the third round by the Cleveland Browns with the 85th overall pick.

Zinter was so beloved by his teammates that when Blake Corum scored the go-ahead touchdown against the Buckeyes one play after Zinter’s gruesome injury, Corum ran directly to the Fox camera and flashed a “six-five,” indicating that score was for Zinter, who wore the No. 65.

Raiders Draft Radar: Top guard fits by round

Guard has been and continues to be a major need for the Raiders. And while it may not be a position they address in the first round, they probably shouldn’t wait around for scraps as they need a prospect capable of being a day one starter at right …

Guard has been and continues to be a major need for the Raiders. And while it may not be a position they address in the first round, they probably shouldn’t wait around for scraps as they need a prospect capable of being a day one starter at right guard.

They recently signed former Bears guard Cody Whitehair, and while he adds experience and scheme familiarity, he isn’t considered the answer at the position. At least not to the extent they can call it a day and shift to addressing other positions.

So, let’s take a look at five guards who could be in play for the Raiders and where they might consider drafting them.





Zak Zinter

Seahawks go DT, then G in this 3-round ESPN 2024 NFL mock draft

Breaking down Seahawks picks from this 3-round ESPN 2024 NFL mock draft.

ESPN has a new 2024 NFL mock draft out this morning. It was a two-man effort between Field Yates and Mel Kiper, exchanging pick selections through three rounds.

When the Seattle Seahawks were on the clock in Round 1, Yates picked Texas DT Byrony Murphy II at No. 16 overall.

“Seattle needs to hammer the interior of the defensive line at some point early in the draft, and Murphy is the best defensive tackle in the class. He is explosive as a pass-rusher, and he plays with power, torque and leverage in the running game.”

This fits with recent reporting from ESPN which suggests that the Seahawks will not allow Murphy to fall past them in the first round. Murphy (6-foot-1, 297 pounds) is a bit small for a pro tackle but his tape suggest enormous potential at this level, even if the Aaron Donald comps are a bit much.

When Seattle was on the clock again in Round 3 it was Kiper’s turn to pick. He had them taking Michigan guard Zak Zinter at No. 81 overall.

“Zinter broke his leg against Ohio State in November, forcing him to miss the Wolverines’ College Football Playoff run. I don’t think there’s any reason to worry about him missing his rookie season, though. Seattle has just two picks in the first two days of the draft, and it has to add competition at guard with one of those.”

Zinter (6-foot-6, 322 pounds) has experience with head coach Mike Macdonald and earned strong grades in run blocking and pass blocking last season from PFF. He might be able to start at right guard Week 1 for the Seahawks, assuming that he can beat out Anthony Bradford for the job.

More Seahawks Wire stories

Seahawks fleece Jim Harbaugh trading down in this mock

Updated offensive line depth chart with Laken Tomlinson

Packers to host top 30 pre-draft visit with Michigan OL Zak Zinter

The Packers will host a top 30 visit with Michigan OL Zak Zinter ahead of the 2024 NFL draft.

The Green Bay Packers will host an official top-30 visit with Michigan offensive lineman Zak Zinter ahead of the 2024 draft, according to Ryan Fowler of The Draft Network. Zinter will also visit the Philadelphia Eagles, per Fowler.

Zinter (6-6, 322) started at right guard for the Wolverines each of the last three seasons. As a team captain in 2023, Zinter allowed nothing more than five hurries — no sacks — across 296 pass-blocking snaps, per Pro Football Focus. He was named an All-American.

Zinter was a three-time All-Big Ten selection. He finished his collegiate career with 42 career starts.

Zinter suffered a significant leg injury during Michigan’s win over Ohio State last season and missed the Big 10 title game and the College Football Playoff. The injury — a fracture in his leg — required surgery. But Zinter believed, as of late December, that he might be ready to go by rookie minicamps in May.

The Packers have an obvious need on the inside at guard after losing Jon Runyan Jr. in free agency. Zinter is coming off a major injury, which is likely a leading reason why the Packers want him to visit before the 2024 draft.

2024 NFL draft: 7 Michigan players who could follow Jim Harbaugh to Chargers

Jim Harbaugh could bring in a few players he coached at Michigan in this year’s draft.

Familiarity plays a big role in roster-building. For head coach Chargers Jim Harbaugh and some of his coaches on staff, they have a slew of players they coached at Michigan who could follow them to Los Angeles.

Here is a look at seven that could be targeted when April’s draft rolls around.

Zak Zinter makes NFL draft decision

The captain has made his decision. #GoBlue

Michigan football is basking in the glow that comes from winning a national championship, but many have decisions to make whether to remain in Ann Arbor or try their hand at the next level.

Star right guard Zak Zinter had often been mentioned as the Wolverines’ best offensive player, but the All-American broke his leg in the second half of the Ohio State game. Though he did not get to finish the legendary season, Zinter is moving on to the NFL.

He announced on Thursday he’s declaring for the NFL draft.

Zinter had one more season of eligibility remaining. Considering he’s likely a first- or second-day draft pick even with the injury, it’s likely a great decision to go pro.

It has been six weeks since the team captain broke both his tibia and fibula, but he’s already able to walk without assistance.

Zak Zinter named unanimous All-American after 2023 season

Let’s go Zak! #GoBlue

Let’s go, Zak!

Michigan football fans already knew that the senior right guard was special, well before his ill-timed injury in the regular season finale against Ohio State. But it appears that the rest of the country also knows just how good Zak Zinter is.

With all the postseason awards having rolled in, Zinter has been voted an All-American by all five services that are recognized by the NCAA as those that determine consensus (Walter Camp, FWAA, Sporting News, AFCA, and the Associated Press). With Zinter having been voted a first-team All-American by all five, he’s now considered not just a consensus All-American, but a unanimous one.

Zinter is considered by many to be the heart and soul of the Michigan football team. In his fourth year with the program, Zinter was named a team captain and started every game the past several years. He suffered a broken tibia and fibula in the Ohio State game, and the Michigan Stadium crowd rallied behind him with an impromptu, ‘Let’s go, Zak!’ chant. While he didn’t play (obviously) in the Big Ten Championship Game, Zinter not only came out for the pregame coin toss, but he was chosen by Jim Harbaugh to accept the championship trophy from commissioner Tony Petitti in lieu of himself.

Jim Harbaugh recounts being remote for Zak Zinter’s injury, mad dash to the hospital

Jim Harbaugh really loves his players! #GoBlue

It was a terrifying moment in The Game: Right guard Zak Zinter, a team captain, was down on the field and in severe pain. The cart came out almost immediately, and The Big House was silent. You could hear singular conversations on the field level of any person in the 110,000-plus crowd.

Jim Harbaugh was as concerned as anyone and just as helpless. Watching from home due to his suspension by the Big Ten, he was left to wonder what happened. His mind was with Zinter, though he was pleased to see the team rally behind him, as evinced by Blake Corum’s reaction after the touchdown he scored on the very next play.

“There’s a lot of sadness, there’s a lot of worry. I’ve been on the field more times than I would like to remember when a teammate has been seriously hurt,” Harbaugh told WXYZ’s Brad Galli. “A team can sink into that sadness, or it can go the other way and that’s what our guys did. They’re playing for Zak even more than everything else that was on top of the game. You really saw that with Blake when he went into the end zone and put up the six-five and had the presence of mind and say, ‘This is for you, Zak.’ It’s the kind of example I see daily, weekly, monthly, yearly around Schembechler Hall.”

Harbaugh wasted no time rushing to the hospital. Zinter later shared a pre-surgery picture with his family and head coach. A clock in the background showed 4:17 p.m.

That means Harbaugh had made it to the hospital about 30 minutes after the conclusion of The Game to check in on his injured star.

His focus remained there, and he was glad to see it was a clean break (something Zinter can heal from easier than alternatives) and shared Monday that surgery went well.

“Well, I think the biggest thing was just getting there and and find it out there was it was tibia and fibula, because it could have been so many other things even worse in the knee or in the ankle,” Harbaugh said. “And to see the green tree fracture and today the X-rays look beautiful. It was a tremendous surgery that was done.”

Watch Galli’s interview with Harbaugh below: