Zak Zinter 2024 NFL Draft Profile
Michigan guard Zak Zinter is one of the most interesting interior offensive linemen in the 2024 NFL Draft. Let’s dive into the profile and discuss what makes him unique.
Zinter had a sensational collegiate career. In 2020, Zinter was a four-star recruit. As a freshman, he worked his way into a starting role. After that year, he locked down the starting right guard role for three consecutive seasons. Zinter racked up a ton of experience as he started in 42 games throughout his career.
Michigan had a sensational offensive line in Zinter’s time as a starter. The group won the Joe Moore Award twice and Zinter played a key role in that success. As a senior, he was named a Consensus All-American.
Unfortunately, Zinter’s collegiate career ended unceremoniously as he broke his tibia and fibula against Ohio State. That injury has significantly hurt his draft stock. Despite being a dependable starter, he is facing the biggest injury of his career. Furthermore, he could not participate in the NFL Combine or All-Star Circuit.
Zinter will likely only play guard in the NFL. At Michigan, he was one of the first names assigned on the line and was not asked to move around. He has the required size for the position at six-foot-six, 309 pounds with 33.5-inch arms.
The highlight of Zinter’s game is his run blocking. In the simplest terms, he moves bodies and opens running lanes. That is best seen in short-yardage situations. If you need a few yards, he will push his defender backward and move the line of scrimmage.
In the passing game, Zinter deals with power rushers well. It is rare that he pushed back into the quarterback. If he gives up ground, he does it slowly and gives the quarterback time.
If Zinter does not have a defender directly attacking him, he is good at providing help and catching stunts.
The flaws for Zinter are in his speed, agility, and flexibility. That creates pass-blocking and open-field blocking concerns. In the NFL, quick interior pass rushers with finesse moves will give him issues. Plus, he will not be as effective as a run blocker in schemes that require agile offensive linemen who dominate in space.
Zinter’s athletic concerns don’t make him a non-factor in space. Despite not being quick, he can pull and will move his defender when he gets his hands on them. Additionally, he can fight up to linebackers when executing combo blocks.
The most important factor in Zinter’s 2024 NFL Draft stock is his health. I am not a doctor and do not have in-depth information on his medicals. If an NFL team wants him, teams will need to do their due diligence on his leg.
If Zinter’s injury does not raise red flags, he could be a worthwhile addition. In a solid scheme fit, Zinter could be a strong starter. At worst, a team can be confident in his abilities as a bench piece. That makes him a solid pick in the third round for any team that wants to establish a physical run game. If he drops to day three, teams should love the idea of adding him based on his production in the run game.
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