STRENGTHS - Ansah has an ideal combination of height, weight, speed and strength, and as a result, he has the flexibility to play multiple positions in both odd and even fronts. He uses his length well to stack his man at the POA and is clearly capable of holding his ground at the LOS against multiple blockers. His explosive first step allows him to consistently threaten the edge and set up a variety of pass moves, including his powerful bull rush, which allows him to consistently drive his man back into the pocket. He also displays impressive closing speed not just off the edge but in pursuit, and can deliver devastating finishing hits because of his power and ability to consistently wrap up. Once out in space he displays impressive foot quickness, agility and COD ability adjusting to moving targets. For only having played football for three years, he displays surprisingly good instincts, as he is able to spin off blocks and quickly locate the ball, is quick to drop into passing lanes when he can't penetrate, and consistently sniffs out screens by locating and attacking the RB once his blockers gives him his release.
WEAKNESSES - Ansah may have all the physical tools to be an elite NFL player, but he only has three years of football experience and is clearly still learning the game. He tends to come off the snap too high which leaves him frame exposed to blockers, especially when he slides inside to rush the passer. Although he does a solid job of locking out to keep his man off his chest, he tends to get tied up at the LOS and does not shed his blocker as quickly as he is capable of. When rushing the passer he essentially displays a bull rush and a speed move on the edge, not showing the hand usage needed to set up a wider variety of rips, spins and counters.
SUMMARY - Ezekiel Ansah is clearly going to be a hotly debated player in NFL war rooms because while his inexperience and raw technique may scare some scouts off, coaches are sure to fall in love with his freakish athletic ability and strength. He does not know how to use his hands at this stage in terms of shedding blockers and setting up a variety of pass rush moves, but his ability to consistently lock out with his long arms allows him to consistently set the POA and hold his ground at the LOS. He possesses outstanding first step quickness for a man his size, which was prominently on display at the Senior Bowl, when Detroit's coaching staff lined him up wide and let him continually abuse OTs with his raw speed off the edge. One of his traits that makes me feel more comfortable about his ability to learn the NFL game is his instincts, as he is surprisingly quick to locate the ball and understands how his man blocks him changes the design of the play. He is certain to be taken within the top ten picks of the draft, and if he can put his entire package together he will likely become an All-Pro player, whether he plays as a 5-technique or OLB for a 34 or a DE for a 43 defense.