Ezekiel Ansah

Lions pick up Ezekiel Ansah's fifth-year option

The Detroit Lions exercised defensive end Ziggy Ansah's fifth-year option for 2017.

What It Means:

The option will be worth $12.7 million, a relative pittance for one of the most productive pass rushers in the game. Ansah has 30 sacks since entering the league as the fifth overall pick in 2013, including 14.5 last season. Despite the skyrocketing value of pass rushers, the Lions are reportedly not interested in signing Ansah to a long-term extension this offseason. If he puts up another double-digit sack campaign, that decision will end up looking foolish.

The Lions' defense had a huge production downturn in 2015, ranking 26th in Adjusted Defensive Net Expected Points (NEP) per play, 25th in Adjusted Defensive Passing NEP per play and 22nd in Adjusted Rushing NEP per play.