- Messages
- 57,979
- Reaction score
- 8,723
Draft Focus
Draft Focus: G Zeitler A Second-Round Option
Josh Ellis
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
Name: Kevin Zeitler
Position: Guard
College: Wisconsin
Height/Weight: 6-4/315
Age: 22 (born March 8, 1990)
Strengths: Like center Peter Konz, his next door neighbor on the Badgers' interior, Zeitler comes equipped with a wealth of experience at a very high level, having started for most of the past three years. He is a mauling blocker in the running game and has good size for the position, able to anchor in pass protection against the beefiest defensive tackles. Maybe most importantly, he's viewed as an extremely hard worker off the field, willing to put in the time to improve his game in the film room.
Weaknesses: While his strength serves him well against the power rush, Zeitler has been susceptible to pressure from stunts and speedy blitzers at times. As a run blocker he is athletic enough to pull, but doesn't always win his matchups in space, occasionally whiffing on more agile defenders. Though he had good short-area quickness, he isn't fast enough to affectively lead the way for ball carriers in the open field.
Sound Bites: On the possibility of playing center in the NFL: "I've been working at center. Once Pro Day comes along, I'm hoping to show it off. I learned how to make calls the right way. I definitely want to show I can do that."
Where He's Headed: For a power running team, Zeitler could represent value as early as the end of the first round, and he isn't likely to be around past the middle part of Round 2. Along with Konz, Stanford's David DeCastro and Cordy Glenn of Georgia, Zeitler is part of a deep interior line group this year, and it's possible there could be a run on the position earlier than many expect.
How He Helps the Cowboys: Even with the signings of Mackenzy Bernadeau and Nate Livings, the Cowboys could still stand to get better on the interior of the line, and Zeitler's upside is higher than either veteran. There's a possibility he would be able to start right away if things went well during summer practices. If not, the team surely wouldn't wait long before inserting him into the lineup at either guard spot, or maybe center.
Draft Focus: G Zeitler A Second-Round Option
Josh Ellis
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
Name: Kevin Zeitler
Position: Guard
College: Wisconsin
Height/Weight: 6-4/315
Age: 22 (born March 8, 1990)
Strengths: Like center Peter Konz, his next door neighbor on the Badgers' interior, Zeitler comes equipped with a wealth of experience at a very high level, having started for most of the past three years. He is a mauling blocker in the running game and has good size for the position, able to anchor in pass protection against the beefiest defensive tackles. Maybe most importantly, he's viewed as an extremely hard worker off the field, willing to put in the time to improve his game in the film room.
Weaknesses: While his strength serves him well against the power rush, Zeitler has been susceptible to pressure from stunts and speedy blitzers at times. As a run blocker he is athletic enough to pull, but doesn't always win his matchups in space, occasionally whiffing on more agile defenders. Though he had good short-area quickness, he isn't fast enough to affectively lead the way for ball carriers in the open field.
Sound Bites: On the possibility of playing center in the NFL: "I've been working at center. Once Pro Day comes along, I'm hoping to show it off. I learned how to make calls the right way. I definitely want to show I can do that."
Where He's Headed: For a power running team, Zeitler could represent value as early as the end of the first round, and he isn't likely to be around past the middle part of Round 2. Along with Konz, Stanford's David DeCastro and Cordy Glenn of Georgia, Zeitler is part of a deep interior line group this year, and it's possible there could be a run on the position earlier than many expect.
How He Helps the Cowboys: Even with the signings of Mackenzy Bernadeau and Nate Livings, the Cowboys could still stand to get better on the interior of the line, and Zeitler's upside is higher than either veteran. There's a possibility he would be able to start right away if things went well during summer practices. If not, the team surely wouldn't wait long before inserting him into the lineup at either guard spot, or maybe center.
