Anthony Zettel NFL Draft 2016: Scouting Report, Grade for Lions Rookie

POSITIVES

A nonstop motor and a little bit of craziness fuel the draft prospects of Anthony Zettel. If a player can make it on sheer willpower alone, Zettel will be an All-Pro.

Zettel is capable of playing inside or outside on the defensive line and has experience playing in multiple alignments along the front. He shows quick eyes, great reflexes and the instincts to read the play on the go. Watching him hop up to bat down passes at the line of scrimmage—he did this six times in 2015—you see his awareness and reaction time.

Zettel wins with leverage and great pad height out of his stance. He can split double-teams and work through chips from guards or centers to get penetration against inside run plays. Thanks to smart hand use, he is able to stack up and shed blockers you don’t expect him to at 277 pounds.

With inside and outside experience, Zettel could be fun for defensive coordinators who want to vary up their fronts. A team like New England or Arizona would be the best scheme fit, even if not a need.

NEGATIVES

Zettel’s lack of bulk, length (31 ⅛” arms) and overall athleticism will be major issues in projecting him forward.

If you want Zettel playing inside and anchoring against double-teams, that’s not who he is. His lack of bulk and lower-body power can’t be covered up with a great motor. He can split those blocks but cannot hold his ground.

He is a liability against the run when asked to shed a block. He’s great in pursuit but cannot handle gap control. His short arms make it easy for blockers to get into his pads and control his frame.

Pass rushing from Zettel flashes as a strength, but he doesn’t have the agility to bend the edge against NFL tackles and isn’t strong enough to play consistently in a 3-technique. His best role may be as a rotational player depending on the matchup and situation.

COMBINE RESULTS

Height: 6'4"

Weight: 277 lbs.

40 Time: 4.81s

3-Cone: 7.63s

Short Shuttle: 4.39s

PRO COMPARISON: Mike Catapano, New York Jets
FINAL GRADE: 5.60/9.00 (Round 5—Backup Caliber)