Ndamukong Suh has been one of the best players in football since being drafted second-overall by the Detroit Lions in the 2010 NFL draft. While issues have arisen about his on-field conduct, nobody could argue Suh’s production in the middle of the defensive line, helping Detroit go from afterthoughts to playoff contenders throughout his tenure.
Now, after five seasons in the Motor City and two postseason appearances, Suh looks to be on his way out of town. Detroit is in tough financial position after signing Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson to long-term extensions. Stafford inked a three-year, $53 million extension that begins in 2015, giving the Lions a cap hit of $17.7 next year and $22.5 million in both 2016 and 2017. Johnson is on the books through 2019, with cutting him almost an impossibility through 2016. Johnson has cap hits of $20.5 and $24 million each of the next two seasons.
With those massive numbers against a projected $140 million salary cap, Detroit can not afford to fit another huge contract under the wire. Suh is likely going to command somewhere in the neighborhood of Gerald McCoy’s deal, which pays out $95 million over six years. McCoy, who was drafted one spot after Suh to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, will likely be the bottom estimate for Suh’s pact.
Suh has 239 tackles , 36 stuffs and 36 sacks throughout his career, compared to McCoy’s 125, 25 and 27, respectively. Suh could break the $100 million barrier, the first time a defensive tackle would hit that landmark.
With the Lions seemingly out of the question, the next pondering is simple; where does Suh go from here? This isn’t an aging superstar who maybe has a little gas left in the tank. This is a 27-year-old wrecking machine that can play a key role in any 4-3 defense.
There will be no shortage of suitors lining up for Suh’s services, hoping to outbid the rest. When you look at the potential landing spots, you have to consider cap space and formational fit. In terms of available funds, the top five teams are as follows: Jacksonville Jaguars ($61.4 million), Oakland Raiders ($59.3 million), Cleveland Browns ($54.9 million), New York Jets ($53.1 million) and Tennessee Titans ($42.7 million).
Without having a head coach, it is impossible to say whether the Raiders and Jets would be schematic fits. However, Oakland seems like a logical landing spot if Suh isn’t all that concerned about winning immediately. Oakland has long been known as a renegade outfit and not afraid to sign big, controversial contracts.
Another team to watch is the Buffalo Bills. Buffalo has Suh’s ex-head coach in Jim Schwartz as its defensive coordinator, and potentially as Doug Marrone’s replacement. Could Schwartz lure Suh to join forces with Marcell Dareus and Mario Williams? It would require a ton of money being invested into the defensive front for the Bills, but stranger things have happened. The move would also allow Buffalo to cut veteran Kyle Williams, saving almost $5 million against the cap.
Regardless of the outcome, it will be an interesting offseason for Suh and his suitors.