By Nick Wojton / Billswire.usatoday.com
The Buffalo Bills have addressed plenty of needs this offseason, but another round of free agency is likely going to ensue across the NFL in the coming weeks.
While it won’t be as fast-paced as when free agency initially opens, veteran options will still be added to rosters, including the Buffalo Bills.
Of those options, the biggest name connected to the Bills is defensive end Ziggy Ansah. The 29-year-old had a free-agent visit with the Bills in March. After leaving Buffalo, he headed to the New Orleans Saints and last week he reportedly visited with the Baltimore Ravens.
On Monday, Buffalo general manager Brandon Beane said he’s not counting his team as out of the running for Ansah’s services, despite the length of time that has passed.
“Yeah, we are (still in on trying to sign Ansah),” Beane said to WGR-550 radio. “Nothing’s done. He traveled last week to visit a team, I think it was Baltimore. So yes, still talk, staying in touch with his agent, and so… there’s nothing to report. We’re not in on it yet, we’re not out of it yet.”
Teams typically sign free agents following the draft if there is a position they failed to address. The Bills don’t have a glaring need at defensive end, but they’ll certainly hope to improve their pass rush after only notching 36 a season ago, which was 26th best in the NFL.
At the top of the depth chart is Shaq Lawson and Jerry Hughes with Trent Murphy at a No. 3 spot. Behind them, Eli Harold and Eddie Yarbrough would be the favorites to potentially land fourth and fifth spots if the team keeps that many on their final roster. There’s also Mike Love and seventh-round pick Darryl Johnson to consider, too.
Ansah certainly has the resume. A six-year vet of the NFL, Ansah has spent his entire career with the Lions organization. His 48 career sacks is fourth all-time in Lions franchise history. Following the 2017 season, the Lions placed the $17 million franchise tag on the defensive end.
Ansah was the fifth-overall pick at the 2013 NFL Draft, but he’s avalaible because of a string of injuries he’s had in his career. Most recently, Ansah struggled with a shoulder injury. Speculation insists that may not have signed him yet because his shoulder.
Despite being banged up, Ansah, when healthy, was very productive. Even last season he mustered four sacks in seven games. Twice in his career he hit double-digit sacks as well, in 2015 (14.5) and 2017 (12). His 14.5-sack season helped Ansah earn a Pro Bowl nod and second-team, All-Pro honors.