Los Angeles Rams: Free agent targets to pursue this offseason
By Jason Reed
Los Angeles Rams free agent target: Ezekiel Ansah
The Los Angeles Rams have the ability to copy their crosstown Los Angeles Chargers and create one of the best defensive lines in football. With the franchise tag handy, the Rams have the ability to keep Aaron Donald around for at least one more season. Thus, the Rams may want to look to go all-in on winning Donald a ring next season, to ensure he sticks around.
To do so, the Rams need to find him a partner in the pass-rush game. Donald needs a Melvin Ingram to his Joey Bosa, a Yannick Ngakoue to his Calais Campbell.
The perfect guy for the job? Detroit Lions’ defensive end Ezekiel Ansah.
More from LA Sports Hub
- Lakers: 5 Players to Target Through Trades to make another championship run
- LA Chargers: Week 8 against Denver Broncos is a must-win
- LA Rams: Jared Goff wants to keep the Los Angeles title streak going
- Lakers Rumors: Los Angeles Clippers interested in Rajon Rondo
- LA Chargers: Justin Herbert wins AFC Rookie of the Month
Ansah is one of the best defensive ends in football at getting to the quarterback and putting sacks on the score sheets. Last season, in 14 games played, Ansah registered 12 sacks to go along with his 44 total tackles and one forced fumble.
However, despite his talent being undebatable, Ansah’s value has diminished this offseason due to injury. Pro Football Focus ranks Ansah as just the eighth-best edge rusher in the free agent class. While that is not bad, it certainly is not a fair evaluation of what he is capable.
While injuries have held him back the last two seasons, Ansah has already shown what he can do at his best. In 2015, his lone Pro Bowl season, Ansah recorded 14.5 sacks in 16 games played. The talent is there, with Donald by his side, his production is only going to increase.
Next: Rams' complete mock draft
In fact, Ansah’s low evaluation helps the Los Angeles Rams. Other teams likely will be turned off by Ansah’s injury history. That is where the Rams come in, sign Ansah for less than he is worth and save themselves salary to extend Aaron Donald.