It’s been quite a few days for New York Giants guards Kevin Zeitler and Will Hernandez, who have seen their names pop up all across the football world in various guard rankings.
They duo have been recognized by NFL.com, Pro Football Focus, Brian Baldginer and, for Zeitler, most recently via Touchdown Wire.
Doug Farrar broke out his list of the NFL’s 11 best guards entering 2019 and Zeitler checked in at No. 6 overall.
The Browns were able to add to an already stacked defensive line when they acquired pass-rusher Olivier Vernon and a fourth-round pick from the Giants in exchange for Zeitler—but in doing so, they also broke up what may have been the league’s second-best guard tandem in Zeitler and left guard Joel Bitonio. We’ll get to Bitonio on the next slide, but Zeitler will give the Giants the kind of stability they’ve long hoped for in their interior offensive line. In 2018, the seven-year veteran, who has excelled for the Bengals and Browns throughout his career, allowed three sacks, one quarterback hit, and seven quarterback hurries—impressive when protecting a rookie quarterback in Baker Mayfield who had no qualms about running around to extend his opportunities.
And while he’s a great pass-protector, Zeitler is best known as a top-notch power-blocker in the run game. Few guards can match his strength, agility, and technique when it comes to paving the way for his runners—something Saquon Barkley will certainly appreciate.
Although Hernandez did not make the cut this time around, it will be interesting to check back with Farrar a year from now to see if the 2018 second-round pick has made enough of an impression.
In the mean time, it’s nice to see anyone along the Giants’ offensive line be recognized as one of the league’s best, especially an incoming asset like Zeitler, who should help drastically improve the team’s offensive production.
