Underrated and versatile offensive lineman should have a successful career in NFL
I still expect the Packers to take a defensive end or outside linebacker in the first round, but if GM Ted Thompson truly wants to adhere to his best player available philosophy, he might find Kevin Zeitler difficult to pass up at 28. While watching a few Wisconsin games recently, I came away extremely impressed with the massive guard who played in the shadow of All-American center Peter Konz for the past few seasons.
There’s no sure thing in the draft, but Zeitler is pretty darn close. While he may never be the best player at his position, at the very least, he should be a solid starter for the next 10 years. And considering that Thompson seems more than OK with getting a solid starter with the No. 5 overall pick in the 2006 draft (linebacker A.J. Hawk), I’m guessing he’d be absolutely thrilled with getting a similar type player 23 picks later.
How much do I like Zeitler? Enough to take him over Konz if the two players were both still on the board at 28. The big reason is Zeitler’s versatility. He’ll be drafted into the NFL as a guard, but he shouldn’t have any trouble moving to center. He plays wide-based with solid anchor strength and can stop a charge. He also shows awareness in pass protection. Mix in ideal size (6’4, 315) and above-average athleticism and you’ve got the recipe for a terrific interior offensive lineman. Konz might be able to play multiple positions at the next level, but I have my doubts. His height (6’5) could be an issue at center and it would almost certainly be an issue at guard. It’s really tough for players that tall – even fairly flexible ones like Konz – to keep defenders from getting under their pad level at times.
Picking Zeitler at 28 wouldn’t help Green Bay’s 32nd-ranked defense, but it would protect the team at a pair of vulnerable positions on offense. Left guard T. J. Lang is scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent in 2013 and newly signed center Jeff Saturday will turn 37 in June. That means the Packers could need two new starters on the offensive line a year from now. Zeitler would be able to fill either hole. In the meantime – assuming he doesn’t beat out Lang in training camp – he would provide outstanding depth. And while improving the defense has to be a priority for Thompson, it’s no more important than making sure Aaron Rodgers will be adequately protected in the future.
Zeitler is said to be the most NFL ready guard and he has the versatility that teams desire. A Badger player said TT was at a lot of practices this year…hmm, maybe to see Zeitler. He’s on my short list at 28 (Bill Huber picked him in a recent mock) though I think TT could get Z in the 2nd round by trading picks 28 and 163 or 197 for an early 2nd round pick and get an extra 3rd. Buffalo (picks 41, 71), Jags (38, 70), KC (44, 74), Miami (42, 72, 73), Bucs (36, 68), and Seahawks (43, 75) meet the criteria. A couple of them may want to move back into round one to take Weeden. We’ll see.
I’m already chuckling thinking about what fan’s reactions will be if TT takes Z at 28…gotta love it!
Guards don’t often get picked in the first round, just out of general principle. However, a guy who can also play C? He’s got a chance. Won’t be until later in the round though.
Great Blue North…http://www.gbnreport.com/fanmockdraftstats.html is conducting a fan mock draft.
The Baltimore fans who select right behind us at 29 picked Mercilus w/ 22% followed by Zeitler w/ 15%. San Fran fans picking at 30 took Fleener. In 2nd place was Zeitler w/ 23%. This is to point out other team fans think highly of Z and there’s no homerism w/ the Badger/Packer connection.
So 6’4″ is the ideal size and yet 6’5″ is going to be a problem? As coach would say it’s all about pad level.
I am no draft expert and definitely know close to nothing about college prospects but I do know that TT puts a round grade on each player. (Top 10, top 15, round 1, etc…) If Zeitler is the only player with a round 1 grade left at pick 28 then he will be the pick. TT isn’t going to pass up a player with round one grade to pick a player with a lessor grade because of need. I think need factors into a draft but only when comparing players of similar grades or later in the draft when the best available player would little shot of making the 53 because of the make-up of the current roster. Fans will bitch and moan if Zeitler is the pick but that is because fans are always in a win now mindset. Good GM’s see the draft helping the team over the next 5 years and with injuries you never know what the real need is going to be come Sept.
I really would have no problem with this. A solid guard/center would not only give more negotiating room for the future but you could also have more flexibility on the line by pushing Lang out to RT to compete with Newhouse (where I think he should be) as well as letting Buluga move to LT, competing with Sherrod.
Picking Zeitler would be a great plan for the future while giving a ton of options in the immediate at the tackle position.
Zeitler over Konz? Not as crazy as it sounds. He looked great on tape. Guys go backwards or down when he hits them. He destroyed Still.
Even if TJ Lang stays, which I hope/think he will, Zeitler would be a nice pick-up for the Pack somewhere in top 1/2 of R2. Same for RB Doug Martin. There’s a fair number of these type guys. Not all of them will last till pick 40-42 but one of them will. I’d be all for three R2 picks in this draft. And I’d be willing to trade something to move pick 59 up too.
The trouble with taking any offensive player before R3 is that TT has painted himself into a corner with this defense. He should have found his other OLB long ago and he should not have let CJ go and he should not have given all that money to Hawk. Probably Pickett too. But, it is what it is. If he passed on defense at the top of this draft and the Pack finishes 8-8 because of a horrible defense, Packer fans will be looking to string him up. Thus, I don’t think TT has a choice, he must go defense with his top 2 picks at least if not his top 3. That said, Zeitler looks like he will make a nice pro G/C.