2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Zak Zinter

Strengths

• Strong, smart blocker who sets the tone in the run game
• Excellent grip strength to latch, drive, and define run lanes
• LOVES to hit people
• Has excellent radar on the move, being a key cog in the Michigan power run scheme
• Consistently hits landmarks as a puller and finds work
• Hands typically land low and inside
• Displays football IQ with stunt and blitz pickups, even on the fly
• Shows an excellent motor and aggressive demeanor

Weaknesses

• Michigan's run-heavy offense makes it difficult to gauge his pass-protection skills
• The ball is often out quickly, asking pass protection to hold up only momentarily
• Anchor and push can be inconsistent due to height
• Sometimes gets out-leveraged and driven into the pocket in pass protection or stuck on stalemates as a run blocker
• An average athlete who makes up for limited mobility with know-how
• NFL will test his athleticism and ability to make sudden adjustments
• Limited recovery ability when hands don't land first or feet out of position

Final Thoughts and Chicago Bears Fit for Zak Zinter

This dude is an absolute freight train of a puller and run blocker who just loves to hit people, a quality I place significant value on for an offensive guard. Here is a quote from Zinter talking about that desire to hit people:

“My head is like, 'you go out there and that dude, his mom is in the stands too. And you’re just burying him right in front of his mom.' There’s something messed up in my head probably, when I’m saying that. Embarrassing him in front of his mom. But it’s football."

Zinter is a football player, through and through. He might not be the most athletic player, but he loves the game, loves to play physically, and leaves it all on the field.

At the least, I see Zinter becoming a quality swing interior offensive lineman. He's athletic enough, with requisite strength, a high football IQ, and a craving for contact. Limiting factors include middling athleticism and lack of proof as a pass-blocker. But there are plenty of offensive guards in the league who excel as run blockers only. And with Zinter's intelligence, I see plenty of routes to him becoming a quality starter.

For the Chicago Bears, I think Zinter could be a steal in the third round. While he might be redundant to Ja'Tyre Carter, offensive line depth will be important. He'd take Cody Whitehair's roster spot and could offer an exit strategy from Nate Davis' contract after the 2024 season. Maybe the third round would be a little rich to attack guard depth, but if Zinter falls to the fourth round due to his injury (broken leg, surgery), I would have a hard time passing on him.

Pro Comp: Aaron Banks