Mel Kiper makes bold prediction for Zak Zinter's NFL Draft stock

With the NFL Draft inching closer each day, Zak Zinter is receiving the recognition he deserves. On Monday, ESPN analyst Mel Kiper raved about the Michigan offensive lineman.

“He has got 40 career starts with a Wolverines. He was a key guy who allowed them to rush for 227 yards [against Penn State],” Kiper said. “Zak Zinter can pull. He’s agile and he’s 6-foot-6, 320 pounds. He is a tough customer.”

As Kiper mentioned, Penn State felt all 320 pounds of that tough customer on Saturday. Zinter was pivotal in Michigan’s decisive dominance in the ground game against the Nittany Lions. Of course, ZInter’s success isn’t limited to one weekend.

Largely due to Zinter, Michigan’s front five has only allowed 12 sacks this season, ranking No. 16 in the country. Further, the Wolverines boast over 170 rushing yards per game. Kiper sees all the attributes of an NFL lineman in Zinter.

“He’s durable, he’s a veteran, he’s a plug and play starter,” Kiper said. “Zak Zinter is literally the second-highest rated guard behind only Troy Fautanu, who is playing left tackle but will be a guard the NFL. Zinter comes in now as the second-highest rated guard with a second round grade.”

Other experts weigh in on Zak Zinter

Kiper isn’t the first analyst to predict a high draft spot waiting for Zinter. The Athletic’s mock draft in October predicted Zinter to be selected No. 32 overall by the San Francisco 49ers.

“San Francisco has built and maintained its incredibly efficient offense without having elite O-line talent (save for Trent Williams),” The Athletic’s Diante Lee wrote. “Because the 49ers almost always find themselves at the back end of the draft these days, building long-term health for that unit means finding versatile players with strong athletic profiles. Zinter fits.

“He has effectively played every spot along Michigan’s line — and played them well. He’s allowed just one pressure in 2023, and he has the agility and speed to fit right into a zone-heavy scheme.”

CBS Sports also sees value in Zinter in the first round, sending the Michigan guard to the Seattle Seahawks to reunite with Olu Oluwatimi.

“Last year, [the Seahawks] found bookend tackles with Charles Cross, Abe Lucas,” Josh Edwards said. “You’ve got a really solid unit to build around moving forward. They need some help along the interior, and I think [Zak] Zinter is a player that will help shore that up a little bit. According to TruMedia, he’s allowed two hurries and one pressure this year, zero sacks. Just a really big, physical player who should be able to make an impact in the trenches.”