SALT LAKE CITY — Former BYU defensive end Ezekiel Ansah is one of several high-profile free-agent pass rushers looking for a new team amid the novel coronavirus.
He got the attention of one team Tuesday. NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport reported that the San Francisco 49ers brought in Ansah for a physical and COVID-19 testing. “Nothing is done, but SF gets a first look at a potentially high-end edge talent,” Rapoport wrote.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that San Francisco also hosted pass rusher Dion Jordan. Ansah and Jordan were top five selections in the 2013 NFL draft — Jordan at No. 3 by the Miami Dolphins, and Ansah at No. 5 by the Detroit Lions.
Ansah played last season for the Seattle Seahawks, joining the team on a one-year, $9 million deal. He played 338 defensive snaps, according to Pro Football Reference, or 32% of the Seahawks’ defensive snaps last year, and Ansah had 18 tackles, 2.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries as a reserve.
Now, the 31-year-old Ansah has hit the open market as an unrestricted free agent. He played six seasons in Detroit, earning Pro Bowl honors in 2015 and putting up double-digit sacks in a season twice, with 14.5 in 2015 and 12 in 2017.
The 49ers return three of their top four sack leaders from the 2019 season, including Arik Armstead (10 sacks), Nick Bosa (nine) and Dee Ford (6.5).
If Ansah were to sign with San Francisco, he would be teamed with another former Cougar, linebacker Fred Warner. Warner helped the 49ers reach Super Bowl LIV, where San Francisco lost to the Kansas City Chiefs, 31-20. Warner had a third-quarter interception in the Super Bowl and was recently rated No. 70 on the league’s list of the top 100 NFL players in 2020.