The Detroit Lions could lose both of their starting offensive guards in free agency this offseason. Fortunately, there
will most likely be a large number of high-quality guards available for signing. Brad Spielberger of Pro Football
Focus identified the Lions as a probable landing point for veteran right guard Kevin Zeitler.
He will be 34 in March, but Zeitler is coming off another outstanding season in which he received his first Pro Bowl
nomination.
“Zeitler was looking for an extension from the Ravens before the season, but it never came to pass,” Spielberger
noted in an email. “Baltimore has so many key free-agent decisions that they may prioritize other positions, with
both starting guards on the market and some long-term question marks at left tackle.”
Detroit also has both guard slots vacant in 2023, and the seasoned Zeitler appears to be a good match as an excellent
pass protector alongside the mauling Penei Sewell.”
According to Pro Football Focus player grades, Zeitler was the NFL’s second-best pass blocking guard last season.
Zeitler will eventually get concerned about his age. However, this could potentially benefit Detroit.
Zeitler was characterized as a veteran by PFF, despite his age of 34. It’s easy to see why, given that he’s had two
seasons with a PFF pass-blocking score above 80 (out of 100).
In his 12-year NFL career, Zeitler has only received a PFF overall player grade lower than 70 once. In 2023, PFF
placed Zeitler sixth out of 21 offensive guards who played at least 80% of their team’s offensive snaps.
Zeitler isn’t a long-term solution, but he’s a good fit for a team seeking for an elite guard for a year or two. It may be
the Lions. They will enter 2024 as one of the league’s leading Super Bowl hopefuls.
