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Zak Zinter is officially a member of the Cleveland Browns, and the CFP national champion will be adding much-needed grit to the team's offensive line. Zinter was an accomplished college football player with numerous accolades during his four-year stint with the Michigan Wolverines.
However, many have raised concerns about his injury issues heading into the Draft. In this article, we highlight whether these issues hold merit and whether the Browns were wrong to invest a third-round pick in the 2023 Unanimous All-American.
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Zak Zinter's injury history
Zak Zinter enjoyed a mostly injury-free collegiate career with the Michigan Wolverines and was a key part of the program's offensive line. However, on Nov. 25, 2023, that all changed in a game against the Ohio State Buckeyes.
Zinter broke his tibia and fibula in a one-score victory for his team and was ruled out for the rest of the season. The injury also meant that he missed out on partaking in the NFL Combine drills and the Michigan Pro Day, two factors that plummeted his draft stock.
Did the Browns make a mistake in drafting Zak Zinter?
No, the Cleveland Browns didn't make a mistake by drafting Zak Zinter in the third round of the NFL Draft. Zinter has proved throughout his college career that he's an elite offensive guard and was a significant part of his team's CFP National Championship run.
Of course, Zinter will need to pay attention to his fitness at the professional level because it's leaps and bounds more difficult than college football. However, for a player who has always convinced doubters, it will be surprising if the lights are too bright at the NFL level for the former Michigan Wolverines product.
Injuries are a part of football, and your favorite NFL player probably suffered a nasty injury or two during his collegiate or professional football career. However, what makes good players different from the special ones is their ability to come back stronger after an injury.
Don't expect Zinter to play every snap in his rookie season, but if he does, don't be surprised if he makes the position his in the long run.
