The NFL’s best guards, No. 8: Kevin Zeitler, Bengals
After missing four games in 2013 and another four in 2014 due to injuries, Zeitler took the field for 1,041 snaps last season (98.6% of Cincinnati’s total) and the offense was better for it. He may not be a dominant road-grader like others in our top 10, nor as much of a known name, but Zeitler is about as reliable as they come. He and fellow guard Clint Boling were even more instrumental in the offense’s step up last season because center Russell Bodine struggled so mightily. Zeitler was well above average protecting Andy Dalton and AJ McCarron (Pro Football Focus chalked up zero sacks to him; STATS gave him 2.0). He also was steady, yet again, in the run game, opening holes for Gio Bernard and Jeremy Hill. Zeitler is set to hit free agency after this season and may have priced himself out of Cincinnati’s plans.
