What is the Detroit Lions biggest need in 2019?

More than midway through the regular season, what is the Detroit Lions biggest need heading into 2019? It appears to be pass rusher.

If the NFL draft started today, the 4-6 Detroit Lions would be in a coin flip with the 4-6 Atlanta Falcons for the 10th overall selection in the first round. If the Lions were able to land that top ten pick, which position would the team likely lean?

Based on what we’ve seen through the first 11 weeks of the regular season, the Motor City needs a premier pass rusher. It’s hard to imagine the Lions re-signing 29-year old defensive end Ezekiel Ansah after he’s spent the majority of the year sidelined due to injury once again.

But getting to opposing quarterbacks has been a major issue in Motown. And as pass rushers are priced at a premium in the NFL, the Lions would likely need to use a very high draft selection to secure one or pay a hefty price tag via free agency.

The biggest name outside of Ansah scheduled to hit free agency next offseason is Dallas Cowboys defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence. But it seems unlikely the Cowboys will allow the talented 26-year old, who’s posted 8.0 sacks in 10 games this season, to leave Dallas anytime soon.

Another name to watch is Seattle Seahawks defensive end Frank Clark, who has posted 10.0 sacks in as many games this year. He’ll garner a big payday this offseason, whether that be from Seattle or elsewhere.

Pass rusher Dante Fowler Jr. is also scheduled to become a free agent next offseason. Acquired from the Jacksonville Jaguars earlier this season for a third-round selection in 2019 and a fifth rounder in 2020 by the Los Angeles Rams, Fowler has started in just two games in nearly three years. He was the third overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft, but an ACL injury robbed him of his entire rookie season.

If Detroit opts to look to the draft to find themselves a premier pass rusher, names like Ohio State’s Nick Bosa, Alabama’s Quinnen Williams, Clemson’s Clelin Ferrell and Auburn’s Derrick Brown are all early possibilities.

Here’s what NFL.com’s Dan Parr had to say about the Lions biggest positional need heading into 2019 …

"“The defense rose to the challenge against the Panthers. Still, corner/strong safety should be on Detroit’s radar this offseason, and Matt Patricia will likely also be hunting for players that can boost his pass rush with Ziggy Ansah due to hit the market.”"

Parr went on to mention the offense in Detroit still needs to add themselves a playmaker after the team traded away YAC King wide receiver Golden Tate midseason to the Philadelphia Eagles.

Although the Detroit Lions could use a boost along several areas of their roster, putting pressure on opposing quarterbacks would solve a lot of the issues surrounding the Motor City’s defense. And the potential loss of Ziggy Ansah must be filled, making pass rusher a major need, if not the biggest, for Detroit in 2019.