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How the Detroit Lions can fix their defense, plus draft talk

By Michael Kirkland

TAMPA, FL - DECEMBER 10: Darius Slay #23 and Cornelius Washington #90 of the Detroit Lions tackle Peyton Barber #25 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the third quarter of a game at Raymond James Stadium on December 10, 2017 in Tampa, Florida. The Lions won 24-21. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - DECEMBER 10: Darius Slay #23 and Cornelius Washington #90 of the Detroit Lions tackle Peyton Barber #25 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the third quarter of a game at Raymond James Stadium on December 10, 2017 in Tampa, Florida. The Lions won 24-21. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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Ansah pressures Keenum
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – OCTOBER 1: Case Keenum #7 of the Minnesota Vikings drops back to pass the ball while pursued by defender Ezekiel Ansah #94 of the Detroit Lions in the second half of the game on October 1, 2017 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

No immediate Ansahs

The glaring need at end, in particular, is further exacerbated by the fact that oft-injured, but ultra talented, Ziggy Ansah, is an upcoming free agent. When he has been healthy, which has not been often, he has been very good. That includes his 2015 Pro Bowl season where he racked up 14.5 sacks.

Ansah’s last two seasons have been very non-Pro Bowl, although he registered a multi-sack game this year against the New York Giants. His Week Two performance saw him abuse tackle, Erik Flowers, for three of his six sacks this year.

Ngata lotta options

A season-ending injury to veteran defensive tackle, Haloti Ngata, seemed to send the Lions defense into a tailspin, too. The Lions roster is not deep enough to have the couple best players go down, or be largely ineffective.

This only underscores the fact that they shouldn’t have been relying upon a 33 year-old to anchor their interior to begin with. After letting former Lions tackle, Ndamukong Suh, walk without compensation, they had few options available, though.

As of now, A’Shawn Robinson is their rising star on the inside but he cannot do it all by himself.

To say that they could use some help along their defensive front is a gross understatement. We need no less than two defensive ends and another two tackles.

Edge rushers, plural, and some stout inside presence is needed along the d-line.

Is there any chance that the NFL just gives us a couple of extra first-round picks to address those needs?

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