Patriots 7-round Mock Draft 1.0: Drake Maye selected No. 3, jumpstarts post-Belichick era in Foxborough
New England Patriots add All-American offensive guard in sixth round of 2024 NFL Draft
With the No. 164 overall pick in the NFL Draft, the New England Patriots select Michigan’s Zak Zinter. The 6-foot-6, 322-pound offensive lineman was a unanimous First Team All-American in 2023 who could be a nice steal for the Patriots in the late rounds.
Patriots Mock - Zinter. . Zak Zinter. 164. Offensive Guard. . player. Michigan Wolverines. Zak Zinter. 485
If the team cannot re-sign Mike Onwenu in free agency, Zinter is a player who could help fill that void at the guard position. A solid run blocker, Zinter has a mean edge to his game that could add some attitude to a Patriots’ offensive line that was pushed around in 2023. His height, long arms and ability to hold up against the bull rush, makes him a solid pass blocker as well.
Like Onwenu, the Massachusetts native could be a nice late-round surprise who could step in and contribute immediately depending on who else is on the line. As it stands, David Andrews at center and Cole Strange at guard are the only reliable along the offensive line with the status of left tackle Trent Brown and Onwenu up in the air.
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As far as what the draft experts are saying, here is what ESPN analyst Mel Kper had to say about the Michigan offensive lineman:
“He’s durable, he’s a veteran, he’s a plug and play starter. Zak Zinter is literally the second-highest rated guard behind only , 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.”
If the Patriots can get him in the sixth round, it will be a big win in the 2024 NFL Draft.