Cleveland Browns: Why Kevin Zeitler is a Great Signing

The Cleveland Browns reached an agreement with right guard Kevin Zeitler on March 9th. Is he finally the answer the team needs at the guard position and what does he bring?

The Cleveland Browns might have finally found their franchise right guard.

The Browns agreed to a five-year, $60 million contract with former Cincinnati Bengal Kevin Zeitler. He will be the new starter at guard once the season begins. Some fans might have been satisfied with John Greco last year, but Zeitler is in a different league.

He’s been one of the most durable players in the league since getting drafted in 2012. He’s missed a total of four games in his career, and has started in every single one of them. It’s no wonder the Browns made him the highest paid guard in the NFL.

Since the Browns came back in 1999, the right side of their offensive line as has been an atrocity. From Ross Verba, Kelvin Garmon, Paul Zukauskas, Floyd Womack, etc, It’s been a revolving door at guard.

The only stability at the position has been Cosey Coleman in 2005-06, Shawn Lauvao from 2011-13, and Greco from 2013-16. Every team isn’t blessed with a Brian Waters or Gene Hickerson, but a stable, veteran line is the idea for any franchise.

The Browns have also did well with former Bengals guards, i.e. Eric Steinbach.

Zeitler will bring much needed run-blocking to the right side. He’s one of the biggest reasons Jeremy Hill and Giovani Bernard accumulated big runs and goal line touchdowns. He’s a road grader, and just manhandles opposing lineman trying to penetrate his gap.

Zeitler also improved his pass-blocking. It was one of his struggles when he came into the NFL, but he’s worked on his base, and hand speed to get the advantage over the opposing lineman, or backer before they do.

I’m not a fan of Pro Football Focus–except when it comes to grades on linemen. They ranked Zeitler as the 23rd best lineman in the NFL last season. He graded out at 85.7. I think that is too low and that he should be higher.

Zeitler only gave up one sack and 14 quarterback pressures!

He’s been the model of consistency at the position, and has improved every year. I’m not saying he’s the greatest right guard of all-time, but he should be mentioned among the top guards in the league currently.

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The biggest gain for the Browns acquiring Zeitler, is his familiarity with the system of coach Hue Jackson. The plays could be slightly different, but he should adapt just fine.

However, Isaiah Crowell, Duke Johnson, Darius Jackson–if he makes the final roster, will be the happiest since they can finally run the ball on the right side without immediate pressure.

Who will be even happier? The quarterback.

That obviously depends on what the Browns do at right tackle. If they continue with Austin Pasztor there, Zeitler’s talent would be wasted. They must upgrade the position to have any consistency on that side.

With the signing of center J.C. Tretter, Cameron Erving could see reps at the tackle position. One of the reasons he was drafted high was due to his versatility on the line.

If he could make the transition from center to tackle, it would be a miracle–especially after the horrible season he had last year.

Next: Osweiler Finally Visited Browns HQ

It’s not everyday Browns fans can say the franchise made a good decision, but they did. It’s the first step of many they must take in order to improve this team for the future.