Zak Zinter to Browns in NFL draft: Instant grade, analysis, stats for 85th pick

The Browns had a desire for better depth on their offensive line, so they used their second pick of the 2024 NFL draft in an attempt to upgrade it. They selected Michigan guard Zak Zinter in the third round (85th overall) Friday night after taking Ohio State defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr. in the second round (54th overall). Below is our instant draft grade on the 85th pick. It would be absurd to render a rapid judgment on Zinter. One of the greatest football coaches of all time, Bill Belichick, recently said he's always graded a player on what he's projected to become in his second year as a pro. So this grade is an evaluation of Zinter's fit with the Browns and their strategy, not his talent.

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Michigan guard Zak Zinter to Browns NFL draft grade: Instant reaction

Grade: B

Why: This selection has succession plan written all over it. Pro Bowl guards Joel Bitonio, 32, and Wyatt Teller, 29, are two of the best Browns players, but they're both scheduled to become free agents after the 2025 season. If Zinter can become healthy (he suffered a broken leg against Ohio State on Nov. 25) and convince the coaching staff he's capable of becoming a starter down the road, he could be treated as an heir apparent to left guard Bitonio or right guard Teller. It's not sexy, but it is important to prepare this way.

In the short term, the 6-foot-6, 309-pound Zinter could bolster Cleveland's depth at guard, where the main backups are Michael Dunn and 2023 sixth-round pick Luke Wypler, who's more natural at center. Although Zinter's leg injury required surgery, General Manager Andrew Berry revealed the Browns expect Zinter to be healthy enough to compete as a rookie. Of course, Zinter will need to move past his injury history and prove he can give the Browns versatility. He also suffered a broken wrist in 2021 and played only right guard throughout his college career.

There's plenty to like about Zinter as long as he can bounce back from a medical standpoint, and the Browns are confident along those lines. He was a two-time first-team All-Big Ten selection and a Michigan captain. As a senior, he had allowed zero sacks without committing a penalty until he suffered his season-ending injury against OSU.

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