It’s no secret that the Oakland Raiders have a pass rush problem. The team was only able to muster a collective 13 sacks in 2018. Every other team in the league had at least 30.
As Jon Gruden and Mike Mayock look towards the off-season, addressing that problem will be one of their main goals. With three first round picks in the 2019 NFL Draft and over $75 million in cap space, the Raiders will have multiple different ways to add pass rushers.
The draft is considered to be defensive heavy in 2019, with players such as Nick Bosa, Josh Allen and Clellin Ferrell. Free agency should also hold some pass rush gems in the form of Dee Ford, Frank Clark and others.
However, when it comes to exactly who the Raiders should target to bolster their sack numbers, one NFL analyst already has an idea. Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox recently wrote an article predicting where some of the biggest free agents will land. In that article, he predicted that the Raiders would sign former Detroit Lion and 2015 Pro Bowler Ezekiel Ansah.
Knox, speaking for B/R’s NFL staff, writes:
Our guess is that the Oakland Raiders take a stab at Ansah. Coach Jon Gruden hasn’t been shy about adding castoffs from other teams, and he’s talked about the need for pass-rushers in today’s NFL.
Detroit Lions beat reporter Dave Birkett has pointed out that it’s unlikely Ansah returns to the team. With the Franchise Tag likely off the table, an Ansah to Oakland move makes sense from a financial standpoint.
Lions coach Matt Patricia declines to provide an update on DE Ziggy Ansah on his conference call. To reiterate, I'd be surprised if he plays for the Lions again.
— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) December 10, 2018
After an injury riddled 2018, Ansah enters free agency as somewhat of an underrated option. However, he has proven throughout his NFL career that he has the pass rush prowess that the Raiders desperately need.
Over his six year career, Ansah has appeared in 80 games, starting 73. In that time he has amassed 110 QB hits, 10 forced fumbles, 218 combined tackles and 48 sacks. He has twice broken the double-digit sack number, including his 2015 Pro Bowl season where he put up 14.5. That season, he had the third most sacks in the NFL.
In signing Ansah, the Raiders must first make sure that he is fully healthy. The defensive end appeared in just seven games this season as he battled a shoulder injury. He did undergo surgery, so there’s a good chance he is ready to go come training camp.
Even with Ansah’s limited playing time, the BYU standout received an above average 74.5 grade from Pro Football Focus. Heading into Week 14 of the regular season, PFF noted that Ansah led the league in third down pressure rate at 29%.
Ansah ran an impressive 4.56 40-yard dash at the 2013 NFL Combine, which was the second highest among all defensive ends. He has proven throughout his career that he is a size/speed threat off the edge of the line. Entering his age 30 season, Ansah likely has more than enough juice left in the tank.
On the Raiders, he would step into an immediate starting role opposite current starter Arden Key. His addition would open up lanes for Key and overall improve the entirety of the team’s pass rush. If the Raiders add an edge rusher such as Bosa, Allen or Ferrell in the draft, the combination with Ansah could be one of the most dangerous in the NFL.
The Raiders’ pass rush is not going to be a quick fix. The team needs multiple elements in their front seven before they are looked at as truly dangerous. However, Ansah has proven throughout his career that he is capable of racking up sacks and getting to the quarterback.
If the money is right, the 2015 Pro Bowler might just be a perfect fit for the 2019 Oakland Raiders.
