What if Detroit Lions don't tag Ziggy Ansah? 5 candidates to replace him

If the Detroit Lions decide not to use the franchise tag on Ziggy Ansah, their chances of finding an impact pass rusher for new coach Matt Patricia's defense are slim.

The top defensive end in this year's draft, North Carolina State's Bradley Chubb — the brother of Lions linebacker Brandon Chubb, who spent part of last season on the practice squad and signed a futures deal after the season — is a probable top-five pick who'll be long gone by the time the Lions are on the clock at Pick No. 20.

A number of other pass rushers are expected to go in the first round, including Boston College's Harold Landry, Texas-San Antonio's Marcus Davenport and Ohio State's Sam Hubbard. But with two months until the draft, it's far too early to know who'll slot where.

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One veteran NFL talent evaluator told the Free Press on Tuesday the free-agent defensive end crop is particularly down this year, with the Dallas Cowboys' DeMarcus Lawrence and Ansah ranking as the top two pass rushers.

The Cowboys reportedly will franchise Lawrence if they don't reach agreement on a new deal by March 6, and the Lions could do the same with Ansah, though general manager Bob Quinn said earlier this month he had not yet talked to Patricia about that possibility.

Most of the free-agent options at defensive end are stop-gap veterans, players coming off significant injuries or rotational types who aren't likely to have a huge impact.

But the Lions might need to sign one, anyway, so here's a look at five potential replacement options for Ansah.

Note: this list does not include Lawrence, because of the likelihood he gets tagged, restricted free agent Dion Jordan, who revived his career with the Seattle Seahawks last season but may take a first-round pick to pry away in free agency, or 38-year-old Julius Peppers, who won't be leaving Carolina if he decides to play another season

Trent Murphy

Murphy suffered a torn ACL in his left knee last preseason and missed all of 2017, but he shined in his last full season on the field, when he had a career-high nine sacks while playing as a rotational pass rusher. Murphy has played primarily outside linebacker in his career, but he bulked up to play defensive end before the 2016 season (only to move back outside when injuries struck). His versatility could be appealing to Patricia.

Alex Okafor

Okafor took a one-year, $3 million prove-it deal with the New Orleans Saints last spring, and he was on his way to cashing in bigger this offseason before he suffered a torn Achilles tendon in November. Okafor isn't a lock to be back by Week 1, and Achilles injuries are notoriously tough rehabs. Okafor did have 4.5 sacks in 10 starts last season, but he won't have Cam Jordan or the benefit of a full spring if he signs elsewhere in free agency.

Adrian Clayborn

At 29, Clayborn is two years older than both Murphy and Okafor, but he's proven to be an effective if mostly unspectacular player throughout his career. Clayborn did have an amazing six-sack game against the Dallas Cowboys last year, but he's only had that many in a season one other time in his career, as a rookie in 2011. He's a solid run defender who played a big role in Atlanta's run to the Super Bowl two seasons ago.

Aaron Lynch

Lynch had 12.5 sacks in his first two seasons with the 49ers, but just 2.5 (in only 14 games) the last two years. Lynch was suspended four games in 2016 for violating the league's policy on substances of abuse and he missed time last year with a calf injury. He won't cost a lot, but could be worth a flier as a pass rusher.

Barkevious Mingo

He won't solve all, or even most, of the Lions' pass-rush problems, but let's not forget that Quinn inquired about trading for him in 2016, when the Cleveland Browns eventually sent him to Patricia's New England Patriots. He had two sacks and made six starts for the Indianapolis Colts last season, and won't cost much in free agency.

Contact Dave Birkett: dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @davebirkett. Download our Lions Xtra app for free on Apple and Android!