The New York Giants are in the throes of rebuilding their offensive line this year. They drafted three future starters in the first five rounds of this year’s NFL Draft to place among their two anchors — guards Will Hernandez and Kevin Zeitler.
Now that left tackle Nate Solder has opted out this season, Zeitler becomes the lone veteran presence on a line that will consist of younger vets, rookies and free agent pickups.
Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report coupled a list of each team’s ‘secret weapon’ in which he names right guard Kevin Zeitler the Giants’ secret weapon.
When the New York Giants traded wideout Odell Beckham Jr. and Olivier Vernon to the Cleveland Browns last offseason, most of the focus was on Cleveland’s end of the bargain. However, New York added a premier guard in the deal in Kevin Zeitler.
Though Zeitler has never received a Pro Bowl nod, he has been nothing short of fantastic in his eight-year career. He’s missed just nine games and last season was responsible for just two penalties and three sacks, according to Pro Football Focus.
While the Giants expect rookie tackle and fourth overall pick Andrew Thomas to make a positive impact this season, Zeitler will likely remain their top lineman and one of the most underrated members of the offense.
Zeitler is a reliable, steady veteran force on the line who will have a lot of influence in the locker room, in the huddle and more importantly with the new center and right tackle, who at this moment are unknown.
Ideally, the Giants would love to be able to insert those three draft picks into the starting lineup. Thomas at right tackle, third round pick Matt Peart at left tackle (or reversed) and fifth rounder Shane Lemieux at center. That is likely season or two away.
Thomas is likely to start this season on the left side with free agent Cam Fleming at right tackle. It may be too much of an ask for Lemieux to wrest the center job away from the current starter, Spencer Pulley.
The Giants also committed to Nick Gates, their valuable swing man on the line, this week with a contract extension. He is likely to see significant time while the rookies get up to speed.
