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The Detroit Lions need to address the pass-rush during the offseason has been well documented. Not only was Detroit lacking a true exterior force to pressure the passer last season, but they released veteran Kyle Vanden Bosch and saw Cliff Avril leave to sign with the Seahawks. This likely leaves their last option to find a legitimate outside pass-rusher in the draft, and they could take one as early as with their fifth overall pick.
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The Lions have signed Jason Jones in free agency, but he spent most of last season as an interior player on the defensive line for Seattle. The only other player officially listed as a defensive end on the roster is 2012 fourth-round pick Ronnell Lewis, and he did not play last season. For these reasons, it seems almost inevitable that Detroit will take a defensive end or pass-rushing outside linebacker in the draft. But which one? Ezekiel Ansah out of BYU might make the most sense and if he were available, it could be hard for the Lions to pass. Rob Rang of CBS Sports projects Ansah to the Lions in his latest mock draft:
With Cliff Avril leaving Detroit in free agency and the team electing to release veteran Kyle Vanden Bosch, the Lions clearly will be addressing their need for an edge rusher on draft day. Ansah has a spectacular upside and the Lions are more familiar with the Ghana native than most after coaching him at the Senior Bowl.
Ansah could start from day one, or even more likely, will be forced to thanks to the Lions lack of having very much in the way of competition.
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