Mel Kiper Jr. places Zak Zinter in second or third round of NFL Draft
With the 2024 NFL Draft rapidly approaching, there are plenty of interesting prospects who are trying to best position themselves for their NFL futures. That includes Michigan offensive lineman Zak Zinter, who analyst Mel Kiper Jr. thinks is one of the most interesting players available.
While making an appearance on First Draft, Kiper praised Zinter and gave him a second or possibly third round NFL Draft grade.
“Zak Zinter, a technician,” Kiper said. “He’s got a little mean nasty in him. He’s more just a phone booth guy. To me, I think when you look at the Penn State game was the game to me that really jumped out. You talk about a dominant run blocker. Solid, consistent, but effective blocks in space for me.”
One of the biggest concerns surrounding Zak Zinter is the injury that he suffered late in the 2023 season. Against Ohio State, Zinter broke his tibia and fibula against rival Ohio State, forcing him to miss the College Football Playoff.
“Then, of course, he goes to the Ohio State game, game of the year, and all of a sudden you have the leg injury. Tibia, fibula, clean break, though. So, I just checked on him. Looks like he’s going to be ready to go. It’ll certainly be ready for the start of the season, ready for training camp. It’s not going to be an issue with Zak Zinter.”
So, Kiper doesn’t have concerns about the injury causing long-term issues. That means, based on what he’s done on the field, he’s one of the top guards available in the draft this year and should go in the second round, though he could slide into the third.
“Tough. 42 career starts at left guard. I talk about veteran experience. Big. Good size. Good length for his size. To me, Zak Zinter is a guy you talk about…Zinter screams second round pre-injury. Does he get to the third round? I don’t think so, but if he does he’s a plug-and-play starter for a long time in the NFL. Zak Zinter, to me, when you look at the guard spot, if you take Troy Fautanu…so, if you wanna him as the number one guard, who’s the number two guard? Number two guard for me is still Zak Zinter. Okay? I’m not moving Zinter off the number two guard. If you put Fautanu at the tackle spot, he’s your number one pure guard,” Kiper said.
“So, Zak Zinter, to me, love the kid, love the experience, love the way he is as a technician, love his mindset. The injury occurred, but guess what? He’s gonna be fine. So, for Zak Zinter, you’re almost back where you were pre-injury, and that’s second round discussion.”