The Sports Xchange

ALLEN PARK, Mich. — With Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley gone, the Detroit Lions are left with only one of the three defensive linemen they drafted in the first round since 2010 — defensive end Ezekiel Ansah.

The fifth overall pick in 2013, Ansah has been impressive his first two years. In order for the Detroit defense to remain one of the best in the NFL, though, he’ll have to take a big leap in 2015. Even though he doesn’t have statistical goals, he has lofty aspirations.

“I don’t put numbers on what I’m trying to accomplish. I’m just trying to be the greatest,” he said after organized team activities Thursday.

Ansah later explained he wants to be the “greatest at my position and what I do.” Of course, that’s a difficult goal to attain with other edge rushers like Von Miller, Robert Quinn, Justin Houston, J.J. Watt, Elvis Dumervil and others still in the league.

And if Ansah wants to be a better player, he must do it as the primary focus of opposing offenses along the Lions’ defensive line. Haloti Ngata will fill in for Suh at left defensive tackle, but Tyrunn Walker will likely be starting on the right side next to Ansah. Granted, Walker could be better than C.J. Mosley, whom Ansah spent half of 2014 next to and still played well.

“What I do know is it’s up to him,” Lions coach Jim Caldwell said of Ansah’s lofty goal. “Ziggy’s a very, very disciplined guy. He’s ambitious. He certainly has the physical capability to be an unusual player in this league.

“And I’m glad that’s his goal because of the fact that we expect a lot from him, and he’s capable of delivering as well.”

As a rookie, Ansah had 32 tackles, two for loss, eight sacks and two forced fumbles in 14 games. In a healthier second season, he had 49 tackles, eight for loss, 7.5 sacks and three forced fumbles in 16 games.

Entering his third season, the Lions will look to Ansah to be one of the defensive stars along with linebacker DeAndre Levy, safety Glover Quin and Ngata.

Though Ansah said he’s more comfortable in Year 2 under defensive coordinator Teryl Austin, he’ll have to continue making adjustments as he’ll likely line up primarily next to Ngata instead of Fairley or Mosley.

“It’s not difficult,” Ansah said of adjusting to new teammates. “We’ve got pretty good defensive tackles over here, and we’re just bonding to be a great unit.”

As Ansah looks to make strides, he has the benefit of having his first full offseason with the Lions. When college players make the transition to the NFL, they often spend more time trying to impress at the Combine than working on their football skills, meaning rookies don’t have a full offseason of work.

Last year, Ansah sat out the entire offseason program as he recovered from shoulder surgery.

“We think that he has a chance to be an outstanding defensive end in this league, one of the top-tier guys,” Austin said last week. “If he continues to develop and progress, he’ll get there.”