Detroit Lions franchise tag pass rusher Ziggy Ansah
A major pass rusher is off the NFL market and staying with the Lions
Detroit Lions pass rusher Ezekiel “Ziggy” Ansah has been given the franchise tag by the organization and stands to remain with the Lions.
Ansah will make approximately $17.5 million next season receiving the tag, which averages some of hte top contracts among his position. J.J. Watt will carry a $15 million cap hit next year and Olivier Vernon’s cap hit will be approximately $17 million.
Detroit will now have the opportunity ot work on a long-term extension with Ansah or see him sign the tag.
With a draft class not expected to be fantastic for pass rushers the Lions were smart to keep Ansah regardless of the price. Ansah came back to play 14 games in 2017 after playing just two the year before, picking up a dozen sacks two years after getting 14.5 with the Lions.
With Ansah off the free agent market teams have a couple more questions to answer if they need a pass rusher. DeMarcus Lawrence is likely to be franchise tagged by the Dallas Cowboys, leaving few viable options.
William Hayes would be the best of the group followed by Adrian Clayborne, 38-year-old Julius Peppers, Kony Ealy, and swingman Alex Okafor.
Top draft picks expected to be available at defensive ends fall off after Bradley Chubb from NC State, who projects to be a top-five pick. Marcus Davenport from UTSA, Arden Key of LSU, and Harold Landry of Boston College project to be the next best pass rushers, but they have major on-field production questions.