What to do with Ezekiel Ansah? That was the question plaguing the Detroit Lions early in the NFL offseason. With teams like the Tampa Bay Buccanneers in desperate need for defensive line help, Detroit had a tough decision to make. That question has been answered.
The #Lions have officially franchise tagged pass-rusher Ziggy Ansah. Not a surprise, but other top player off the market
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 27, 2018
That’s right, the Lions have franchise-tagged their stud defensive end. Ansah started and played in 14 games for the Lions last season, recording 12 sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery for the Silver and Honolulu Blue. And, when healthy, is one of the most dominant defensive ends in football. The “when healthy” part is the part that plagued the Lions. While Ansah has played most of the games during his five-year career, his health was definitely in question during the 2016 season, where he recorded a career-low two sacks in 13 games.
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The fifth overall pick of the 2013 NFL Draft out of BYU will receive $17.5 million for the 2018 season.
On the books for $17.5M https://t.co/K8A4n6B2lY
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 27, 2018
Ansah’s career-year, so far, came in 2015 when he started all 16 games for Detroit, recording 14.5 sacks, four forced fumbles, a pass deflection, and two fumble recoveries, helping Detroit make the playoffs, as well as earning himself a Pro Bowl selection.
Bonus Content
1 free agent the Detroit Lions cannot afford to miss on
There is little question about it, signing former New England Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia will go down as the most important move the Detroit Lions will make this offseason. That being said, for the Lions to contend in 2018 and beyond, they will have to make the necessary moves to improve their roster and it all begins with free agency. There happens to be one free agent who could help turn the Lions around almost immediately and because of that, general manager Bob Quinn must sign him.
One of the biggest decisions Lions Quinn will have to make in free agency actually deals with a player who is currently on the roster, Ezekiel Ansah. Without Ansah, the Lions Lions are extremely thin when it comes to pass rushers and they would have to turn to the NFL Draft to replace him. Whether or not Quinn decides to keep Ansah around will be interesting but it WILL NOT be the most important decision he makes in free agency.
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