Ravens set to sign guard Kevin Zeitler to three-year deal, getting head start on free agency

Guard Kevin Zeitler has agreed to a three-year deal with the Ravens, the team announced Monday, bolstering a position of need two days before free agency is set to begin.

The deal, which is worth $22.5 million and includes $16 million in guaranteed money, according to ESPN, will be finalized once Zeitler, 31, passes a physical. Because Zeitler was cut last week by the New York Giants, the Ravens did not have to wait until noon Monday, the start of the NFL’s legal tampering period for free agents, to negotiate a contract.

Zeitler, the Giants’ top offensive lineman last season and one of the top guards available, fits the Ravens’ offseason plans in two important ways. First, he’ll be expected to stabilize the team’s right guard position, where the team lacked consistency last season, its first without retired All-Pro guard Marshal Yanda. The Ravens started young linemen Ben Powers and Patrick Mekari and rookie Tyre Phillips at the position, but all struggled at points.

After allowing pressure on a league-best 21.7% of passing snaps in 2019, according to Pro Football Focus, the Ravens dropped to a 34.8% pressure rate last season (25th overall). Zeitler had an 88.7% Pass Block Win Rate last season, according to ESPN, which ranked 23rd among guards. He allowed two sacks and committed four penalties.

Zeitler, who was set to earn $12 million and count $14.5 million against the salary cap before his release, also helps the Ravens potentially preserve compensatory draft picks. With Pro Bowl outside linebacker Matthew Judon and defensive end Yannick Ngakoue headed to free agency and not expected to re-sign, the team could earn a pair of third-round draft picks in the 2022 NFL draft, in addition to the one they earned under the NFL’s diversity-hiring initiative.

Under the league’s formula, by signing a player who was cut, instead of one whose contract expired, the Ravens would not negate a potential pick.