Green Bay Packers draft prospect profile: G Kevin Zeitler, Wisconsin
Player Information:
Kevin Zeitler, G, Wisconsin
6-3, 322 pounds
Hometown: Waukesha, Wis.
NFL Combine:
- 40-yard dash: 5.31
- Vertical Jump: 29”
- Broad Jump: 101”
- 20-yard shuttle: 4.61
- 3-cone drill: 7.77
- Bench pressed 225 pounds 32 times
News and Notes:
Established a Big Ten record with 33 touchdown-resulting blocks in 2011. … Also totaled 142 key blocks/knockdown blocks. … Became the third college player since 1985 to produce two blocking consistency grades of 100 percent in the same season (2011). … Led all offensive linemen with a 97.23 percent grade for blocking consistency. … The top-rated guard prospect in the draft. … Occasionally practiced at center. … Penalized just three times in college career. … All-American and All-Big Ten Conference selection in 2011. … No major injury history. … Kinesiology major and lives in Waukesha, Wis.
What they’re saying about him:
National Football Post: “A good looking guard prospect with a thick trunk and natural girth through his base. Sits into his stance well, displays natural bend, can keep his base under him off the football and create an initial snap into contact. Isn’t overly powerful as an in-line guy, but creates good initial movement, works his legs hard through the play and extends his arms well into defenders.”
CBSSports.com: “Pass blocking: Anchors against larger defenders in the middle, resets hands to maintain distance. Athletic enough to help on nose tackle then pick up twist or late blitzer. Mirrors quick interior rushers. Looks to help the center, or even the tackle a few yards upfield, if he is uncovered.”
NFL.com: “Weaknesses: Zeitler is a big man with heavy legs who at times labors to get moving when he needs to get out of his set and pull. His body control can be inconsistent at times, as he occasionally will whiff on linebackers. He is slower than desirable and is better off working in close proximity to his man to control the block.”
Video:
Video Analysis:
- I like O-lineman that play as if they’re D-lineman. Zeitler fits that bill. He’s the aggressor on most plays
- I wouldn’t want to get in his way on trap plays. He looks just fine pulling in this video.
- Side note: How good is the entire Wisconsin offensive line?!
- Seems to really understand the importance of technique and positioning. Always has his head on the correct side to make the block and seal the defender.
- I suppose I could’ve found a video with some pass blocking examples, but watching Zeitler run block is too much fun.
- Zietler is an early-round talent. No doubt about that. Does he go in the first round? It wouldn’t surprise me. There’s been some scuttle about the Packers taking him late in the first round and making him a center. I don’t see that happening unless Ted Thompson’s D-linemen and linebacker options are off the board.
Adam Czech is a a freelance sports reporter living in the Twin Cities and a proud supporter of American corn farmers. When not working, Adam is usually writing about, thinking about or worrying about the Packers. Follow Adam on Twitter. Twitter .
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Love to see Zeitler in a GB uniform. But even I, an Oline fanatic, realize GB’s needs are on the D side of the ball. An OLB in round #1 is a must. And a game changer on top of it all. Which, in my opinion, will require a move up. That will require high draft choices and maybe existing personnel.
I am firmly convinced that the existing ROLB’s are not short or long-term solutions.
For a 15-1 team to need so much. Just imagine an Oline that is set for the next 10 years. I actually like this kid better than the Wi Center. (just a little).
I have to agree with Ron though. We need an OLB, we need a big body to take snaps for Raji & Pick and maybe a Safety. I’m not so sure we need a DE if we get the big guy for the middle (there are a couple NT in this draft).
I sure would sleep better at night knowing the oline was intact for 5 -10 years for Rodgers. Maybe TT can pull off a big surprise.
I apologize for this being off topic, but a ginger friend of mine told me that Shea McClellin has had 3 concussions in college. That is a HUGE red flag. The ginger said it was on path to the draft last night. If that is true I do not think I could touch him in the first two rounds. He was really moving up my board, the more I watched, the more I liked him.