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The Ravens figure to address their pass-rushing needs in the NFL draft tomorrow but could also look to do so via the free agent market, where several viable options remain. One of these options is former Lions defensive end Ezekiel Ansah, who the team brought in for a visit today.
Free-agent pass rusher Ezekiel Ansah is visiting the Ravens today. Nothing imminent but Ravens have a need for edge rusher after losing Terrell Suggs and Za'Darius Smith in free agency. Ansah was the No. 5 overall pick of the 2013 draft by the Lions.
— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) April 24, 2019
Ansah, 29, is currently recovering from a shoulder injury that sidelined him after seven games in 2018 and required surgery in December. Ansah’s injury has apparently made teams weary, as he’s still unsigned in late-April despite being one of the most talented players left on the market.
Ansah was set to hit free agency last year, too, before the Lions franchise tagged him. Before getting injured last season, Ansah recorded four sacks in just seven games and was a given a grade of 74.5 by Pro Football Focus. In 2017, Ansah’s sack total was 12, just 2.5 sacks away from his career-high (14.5) two seasons prior.
In 80 career games across seven seasons, Ansah has 162 combined tackles, 48 sacks, and 10 forced fumbles. This production and overall body of work is impressive and at 29 years old, Ansah still likely has several years of good football left in him, provided he can stay healthy.
How much money he’s looking for is unclear. However, if the Ravens and Ansah can agree to a contract, it will be a significant move for Baltimore and could ultimately pay dividends for their defense, more specifically the team’s pass rush.
Stay tuned for more updates on the situation.
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