Inside The Vikings

Vikings Sign Journeyman Defensive End Anthony Zettel

Another depth signing for the Vikings in free agency. Zettel played well as a starter for the Lions in 2017.
Will Ragatz|
Vikings Sign Journeyman Defensive End Anthony Zettel
Vikings Sign Journeyman Defensive End Anthony Zettel

The Vikings have signed journeyman defensive end Anthony Zettel, the team announced on Wednesday afternoon. The 27-year-old has spent time with the Lions, Browns, Bengals, and 49ers during his four-year NFL career.

Zettel was drafted by the Lions in the sixth round in 2016 after recording 20 sacks, 18 non-sack tackles for loss, and four interceptions in his four-year career at Penn State. He played sparingly as a rookie, recording one sack and 13 tackles.

In 2017, Zettel started all 16 games for the Lions. He played well, with 6.5 sacks, 16 QB hits, 4.5 non-sack TFLs, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. Zettel played his best ball against the Vikings; in two games, he put up 2.5 sacks, eight QB hits, and a fumble recovery. For the season, Zettel was given a solid 70.7 grade by Pro Football Focus.

Unfortunately, his career has gown downhill since that year. Zettel was waived by the Lions in September 2018, and spent that season with the Browns, playing 15 games in a reserve role. He bounced between the Browns, Bengals, and 49ers last season. Zettel only played on special teams during the 49ers' run to the Super Bowl.

This is a low-risk, reclamation project type of signing for the Vikings. The 6-foot-4, 275-pound Zettel adds some depth to a defensive end group that lost Stephen Weatherly and Everson Griffen this offseason. Ifeadi Odenigbo remains the projected starter across from Danielle Hunter, but Zettel could push for a rotational role if he impresses.

The Vikings can also look to take a pass-rusher in the draft. Mel Kiper Jr. of ESPN has them taking Iowa defensive end AJ Epenesa in the first round, though that seems like it goes against the Vikings' traditional approach.

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Will Ragatz
WILL RAGATZ

Will Ragatz is a senior writer for Vikings On SI, who also covers the Twins, Timberwolves, Gophers, and other Minnesota teams. He is a credentialed Minnesota Vikings beat reporter, covering the team extensively at practices, games and throughout the NFL draft and free agency period. Ragatz attended Northwestern University, where he studied at the prestigious Medill School of Journalism. During his time as a student, he covered Northwestern Wildcats football and basketball for SB Nation’s Inside NU, eventually serving as co-editor-in-chief in his junior year. In the fall of 2018, Will interned in Sports Illustrated’s newsroom in New York City, where he wrote articles on Major League Baseball, college football, and college basketball for SI.com.

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