Cleveland Browns: Anthony Zettel would fix defensive end depth issue

Following the Lions releasing Anthony Zettel on Wednesday, the Cleveland Browns should consider adding the defensive end to cure their defensive end depth issue.

The Cleveland Browns have been active over the past week adding players in free agency and on the waiver wire as teams set their 53-man rosters.

Despite being only days out from their regular season opener, the Browns should be looking at making another addition to their roster.

The Detroit Lions surprisingly released defensive end Anthony Zettel on Wednesday. According to Kyle Meinke of MLive.com, Zettel’s release could be due to the Lions having a new defensive scheme under first-year head coach Matt Patricia.

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"But not even that was enough to save him from the dramatic transformation up front. The Lions are ditching their 4-3 base defense for a more versatile look under new coach Matt Patricia. They’re expected to roll with more three-man fronts, which requires different kinds of bodies up front. And that’s been reflected in the personnel."

The 26-year-old defensive end started all 16 games for the Lions last season. Zettel compiled 43 total tackles last season, while also sacking the quarterback 6.5 times.

The Browns have spent the last week adding more depth to their defensive line, including at defensive end. Cleveland added Ifeadi Odenigbo via waivers on Sunday, but Odenigbo has yet to play in a regular season game in his career.

The Browns are lacking in quality depth at defensive end, and Odenigbo is not the answer to that problem. Cleveland should be jumping at the opportunity to add a player like Zettel.

Behind starters Myles Garrett and Emmanuel Ogbah, the Browns have Chris Smith, Chad Thomas, and Odenigbo. Smith has been able to get to the quarterback in his career, and he seems to be a good role player for the Browns.

But Thomas is not ready to play significant snaps in the NFL, and Odenigbo is also a young player that may not be ready for snaps. Zettel will instantly cure the Browns’ problem of not having players that can spell Garrett and Ogbah for a few snaps.

Zettel will likely be a coveted player across the entire NFL, and the Browns should be one of the teams that heavily pursue the defensive end.