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NFL free agency 2018: Best defensive linemen available

By John Buhler

CHARLOTTE, NC - SEPTEMBER 17: Julius Peppers #90 of the Carolina Panthers against the Buffalo Bills during their game at Bank of America Stadium on September 17, 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC - SEPTEMBER 17: Julius Peppers #90 of the Carolina Panthers against the Buffalo Bills during their game at Bank of America Stadium on September 17, 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /
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DETROIT, MI – DECEMBER 31: Ezekiel Ansah No. 94 of the Detroit Lions celebrates after a sack in the fourth quarter of the game against the Green Bay Packers at Ford Field on December 31, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. Detroit defeated Green Bay 35-11. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI – DECEMBER 31: Ezekiel Ansah No. 94 of the Detroit Lions celebrates after a sack in the fourth quarter of the game against the Green Bay Packers at Ford Field on December 31, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. Detroit defeated Green Bay 35-11. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images) /

50. . DL. Detroit Lions. Ezekiel Ansah. 4. player

The answer for some team’s pass-rushing needs could come in the form of Detroit Lions defensive lineman Ezekiel Ansah. Ansah has played his first five years in the NFL with Detroit. He was a Pro Bowler in 2015 and was the Lions’ No. 5 overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft. Though he is coming of a 12.5-sack season, there is reason to believe he could be on his way out of Detroit.

There are three reasons for this. The first being that Ansah stands to make a bit of coin now that he is off his rookie salary. Ansah made $12,734,000 in base salary in 2017 after completing his four-year rookie deal worth $18,594,514. However, Detroit does have $47,052,257 in available cap space to bring him back. That is way above the league average of $34,955,413.

The second reason Ansah could be gone out of Detroit is the change at helm to the defensive staff. His former defensive coordinator Teryl Austin now runs the Cincinnati Bengals defense, replacing Paul Guenther who is now with the Oakland Raiders. Add in that former New England Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia is the new Lions head coach and there could be a chance Ansah’s not a great scheme fit for Patricia. Then again, where was the Patriots’ pass rush in Super Bowl LII?

Lastly, Ansah is an incredibly streaky player. While he has two seasons of more than 10 quarterback sacks, he has had an ebb and flow feel to his career. In 2015, he had a career high with 14.5 sacks. 2016 saw him register just two. Ansah did bounce back with 12.5 in 2017, but it remains to be seen if he has played his last game in Detroit or not.

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