John Wetzel (American football)

John William Wetzel (born July 18, 1991) is an American football offensive guard who is a free agent. He was signed by the Oakland Raiders as an undrafted free agent in 2013. He played college football at Boston College.

John Wetzel
refer to caption
Wetzel in the 2017 NFL preseason.
Personal information
Born: (1991-07-18) July 18, 1991
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Height:6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
Weight:328 lb (149 kg)
Career information
High school:Pittsburgh (PA) Brashear
College:Boston College
Position:Offensive guard
Undrafted:2013
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career NFL statistics as of 2020
Games played:46
Games started:24
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR

Early years

Wetzel attended Brashear High School, where he played as a two-way player at offensive tackle and defensive end. As a junior, he became a starter.

As a senior, he posted 70 tackles (52 solo) and 7 sacks, He contributed to the school winning consecutive City League titles (2007 and 2008), while being named a two-time All-City selection.

He also competed in basketball, volleyball, and track.

College career

Wetzel accepted a football scholarship from Boston College. As a true freshman, he was a backup offensive tackle behind Anthony Castonzo and appeared in 6 games.

As a sophomore, he was a backup offensive tackle and appeared in 8 games. As a junior, he became a starter after Castonzo graduated and started 12 games at left tackle.

As a senior, he was moved to right tackle, so that Emmett Cleary could handle the left side.

Professional career
Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand span40-yard dash20-yard shuttleThree-cone drillVertical jumpBroad jumpBench press
6 ft 7 in
(2.01 m)		 315 lb
(143 kg)		 34 in
(0.86 m)		 10 in
(0.25 m)		5.46 s4.81 s7.90 s25.0 in
(0.64 m)		8 ft 9 in
(2.67 m)		22 reps
All values from NFL Combine[1]

Oakland Raiders

On April 29, 2013, Wetzel was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Oakland Raiders.[2] He suffered a torn MCL in the second preseason game against the New Orleans Saints. On August 20, he was waived/injured by the Raiders.[3] On the next day, he cleared waivers and was placed on the injured reserve list. On August 24, he was waived from the team with an injury settlement.

Dallas Cowboys

On November 12, 2013, he was signed by the Dallas Cowboys to the practice squad. The team had scouted him in the first preseason game against the Oakland Raiders. On January 8, 2014, Wetzel signed a reserve/future contract.[4] On August 31, he was waived.[5] On September 2, he was signed to the practice squad.[6] On January 12, 2015, he signed another reserve/future contract.[7]

On September 5, 2015, Wetzel was waived by the Cowboys.[8] On September 7, 2015, he was signed to the Cowboys' practice squad after clearing waivers.[9] On November 12, he was released.[10]

Indianapolis Colts

On November 24, 2015, Wetzel signed with the Indianapolis Colts practice squad.[11] He was released by the Colts on December 1.[12]

Arizona Cardinals

On December 9, 2015, the Arizona Cardinals signed Wetzel to their practice squad.[13] On January 26, 2016, he signed a future/reserve contract.[14] The Arizona Cardinals began starting Wetzel as their left tackle after October 31, 2016, to replace injured starting left tackle Jared Veldheer.[15]

On March 7, 2017, Wetzel signed an exclusive-rights tender from the Cardinals.[16] On April 18, he signed a one-year deal.[17] He started 11 games at left tackle for the Cardinals in 2017 in place of the injured D. J. Humphries.[18] On April 3, 2018, Wetzel signed another one-year deal to stay with the Cardinals.[19] On November 3, 2018, he was placed on injured reserve with a neck injury.[20]

Atlanta Falcons

On April 16, 2019, Wetzel signed a one-year contract with the Atlanta Falcons.[21] He was released on August 31, 2019.[22] He was re-signed on September 9, 2019 following an injury to Chris Lindstrom.[23] He spent time on and off the Falcons active roster before being released on October 26, 2019.[24][25][26][27] He was re-signed on December 2.[28]

On March 4, 2020, Wetzel re-signed with the Falcons.[29] On September 6, 2020, Wetzel was released and re-signed to the practice squad.[30] He was promoted to the active roster on September 15, 2020.[31]

References
  1. "NFL scouting combine". NFL.
  2. "Raiders Add 14 Undrafted Free Agents". Oakland Raiders. April 29, 2013. Archived from the original on April 23, 2018. Retrieved April 22, 2018.
  3. "Raiders Claim LB Chase Thomas Via Waivers". Oakland Raiders. August 20, 2013. Archived from the original on April 23, 2018. Retrieved April 22, 2018.
  4. Mendez, Carlos (January 8, 2014). "Cowboys add 4 free agents". Star-Telegram. Retrieved April 22, 2018.
  5. Williams, Charean (August 31, 2014). "Cowboys churn bottom of roster, add Ryan Williams to practice squad". Star-Telegram. Retrieved April 22, 2018.
  6. Helman, David (September 2, 2014). "Cowboys Add Thomas, Wetzel To Practice Squad". Dallas Cowboys. Archived from the original on April 23, 2018. Retrieved April 22, 2018.
  7. Wilkening, Mike (January 1, 2015). "2015 NFL reserve/future signings tracker". ProFootballTalk. Retrieved April 22, 2018.
  8. Helman, David (September 5, 2015). "Vaughan, Showers Among Notable Cuts As Cowboys Meet 53-Man Roster Limit". DallasCowboys.com. Archived from the original on August 6, 2017. Retrieved September 30, 2015.
  9. Phillips, Rob (September 8, 2015). "Cowboys Sign 5 More To Practice Squad, Including Gus Johnson, WR Mayle". DallasCowboys.com. Archived from the original on March 2, 2018. Retrieved September 30, 2015.
  10. "Friday's Sports Transactions". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Associated Press. November 13, 2015. Retrieved January 1, 2016.
  11. "Indianapolis Colts make practice squad move". blogs.colts.com. November 24, 2015. Retrieved November 24, 2015.
  12. "Indianapolis Colts make practice squad moves". blogs.colts.com. December 1, 2015. Retrieved December 1, 2015.
  13. Root, Jess (December 9, 2015). "NFL roster moves: Arizona Cardinals add tackle John Wetzel to practice squad". Revenge of the Birds. Retrieved December 11, 2015.
  14. Root, Jess (January 27, 2016). "Cards bring back all practice squaders". Revenge of the Birds. Retrieved April 22, 2018.
  15. Alper, Josh (October 31, 2016). "Cardinals place Jared Veldheer on IR". Pro Football Talk. Retrieved April 22, 2018.
  16. Urban, Darren (March 7, 2017). "John Wetzel Gets Exclusive Rights Tender". AZCardinals.com. Archived from the original on May 24, 2018.
  17. Kwong, Andy (April 19, 2017). "John Wetzel, Olsen Pierre sign contracts with Arizona Cardinals". Revenge of the Birds. Retrieved April 22, 2018.
  18. Gantt, Darin (September 11, 2017). "Cards left tackle out a few weeks, Chris Johnson may come back". Pro Football Talk. Retrieved April 22, 2018.
  19. Cox, Seth (April 4, 2018). "Arizona Cardinals bring back a quartet exclusive rights free agents". Revenge of the Birds. Retrieved April 22, 2018.
  20. Urban, Darren (November 3, 2018). "Cardinals Cut Quarterback Sam Bradford". AZCardinals.com.
  21. McFadden, Will (April 16, 2019). "Falcons sign John Wetzel to a one-year deal". AtlantaFalcons.com.
  22. McFadden, Will (August 31, 2019). "Falcons 2019 roster announced". AtlantaFalcons.com.
  23. McFadden, Will (September 9, 2019). "Falcons place Chris Lindstrom on IR, agree to terms with John Wetzel". AtlantaFalcons.com.
  24. "Falcons add punter to active roster". AtlantaFalcons.com. September 21, 2019.
  25. McFadden, Will (September 24, 2019). "Falcons place Keanu Neal on IR, make several roster moves". AtlantaFalcons.com.
  26. McFadden, Will (October 8, 2019). "Falcons place Johnathan Cyprien on IR, sign Eagles cornerback". AtlantaFalcons.com.
  27. McFadden, Will (October 26, 2019). "Falcons officially rule Matt Ryan out, sign Danny Etling to active roster". AtlantaFalcons.com.
  28. McFadden, Will (December 2, 2019). "Falcons activate Matt Bosher, designate Chris Lindstrom to return from IR". AtlantaFalcons.com.
  29. McFadden, Will (March 4, 2020). "Falcons sign John Wetzel to one-year contract". AtlantaFalcons.com.
  30. Ledbetter, D. Orlando (September 6, 2020). "Falcons claim lineman, fill out most of practice squad". AJC.com.
  31. @AtlantaFalcons (September 15, 2020). "We have signed OL John Wetzel to the 53-man roster" (Tweet). Retrieved October 4, 2020 – via Twitter.
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