Ravens’ Kevin Zeitler was one of the NFL’s best signings of the offseason

The Baltimore Ravens have to address their offensive line needs this upcoming offseason, but one player that performed much better than expected was Kevin Zeitler.

The offensive guard was signed last offseason to a three-year, $22.5 million deal in what some at the time viewed as a shaky venture.

Zeitler spent seven years on the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns before playing his most recent two seasons in New York with the Giants.

At 31-years-old, Zeitler was coming off of one of the worst seasons in his career, recording a 65.9 overall PFF grade that was tied for 32nd among 80 qualifying guards

There were plenty of questions about what Zeitler would add to Baltimore’s already aging offensive line, but the guard erased all doubt this past season.

PFF’s Sam Monson listed the best and worst 2021 NFL free agent signings, and the Ravens had one of the better ones with Kevin Zeitler:

"“The Ravens relied on the experience of facing him for years within the AFC North and signed him to a three-year contract, where he bounced back immediately to something akin to his career baseline. Zeitler finished the season with a 76.4 PFF grade — more than 10 grading points higher than his last year in New York.”"

The Ravens reaped the benefits from Kevin Zeitler signing

Zeitler allowed one sack and 17 pressures last season, and along with center Bradley Bozeman, was a dimly shining spot on the Ravens’ offensive line.

Baltimore signed a solid group of free agents in 2021, retaining Tyus Bowser, Pernell McPhee, Chris Board, as well as acquiring Sammy Watkins from the Chiefs.

Zeitler was Baltimore’s solution to the hole Marshal Yanda left behind, and he grew to be an effective and reliable interior blocker throughout the season.

The Giants’ loss was the Ravens’ gain, and Zeitler’s ability to shed blocks and provide decent pass protection for Lamar Jackson kept the offensive unit humming.

Jackson had his own issues to deal with in 2021, but Zeitler rebounded in a big way last year and should be viewed as a quality lineman to build around.

With any luck, the Ravens will find some more gems in this year’s free agency, too.