The Minnesota Vikings have signed defensive tackle Jahvaree Ritzie , who was released by the Pittsburgh Steelers last month. Ritizie was released to make way for veteran defensive tackle Dean Lowry on the team's 90-man offseason roster.
Ritzie, 22, signed with the Steelers as a reserve/future contract in January and had taken part in the team's rookie minicamp and the first week of OTAs before his release.
Ritzie was originally undrafted free agent out of North Carolina last spring, signing with the New England Patriots . He spent some time on the New England practice squad this year before being released.
A 6-foot-4, 294-pound defensive tackle, Ritzie spent four seasons at North Carolina and was a three-year starter. He broke out statistically as a senior in 2024, posting 40 tackles, 6.5 sacks, and he returned an interception for a touchdown.
Ritzie is a bit undersized for a defensive tackle, checking in at 294 pounds in pre-draft testing. Unsurprisingly, he showed outstanding athleticism, posting a 5-second 40-yard-dash, a 35.5-inch vertical and 9-foot-6 broad jump for an overall 9.49 Relative Athletic Score out of 10. His most comparable physical player, according to RAS, is Los Angeles Rams star Braden Fiske .
The Steelers hosted Ritzie for a tryout in late December, along with three other defensive linemen, before signing him.
Alan Saunders contributed.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now : Former Steelers Defensive Lineman Signs with NFC Team
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