The 2015 NFL offseason boasts eye-catching star power with the flash of Randall Cobb, DeMarco Murray and Jeremy Maclin , but Ndamukong Suh ’s defensive dominance makes the Detroit Lions defensive tackle the biggest catch of this year’s free-agent class.
Other top free-agent candidates like Justin Houston, Dez Bryant and Demaryius Thomas all received franchise tags by their respective teams.
However, the Lions decided not to use their franchise tag on their star as the deadline passed on March 2.
Due to Suh’s $26.7 million salary and other payments, the Lions would have locked up 25 percent of their projected $143 million salary cap if they decided to place their franchise tag on the defensive tackle, according to Dave Birkett’s report for the Detroit Free Press.
The Detroit Lions selected the 6’ 4” Heisman Trophy finalist with the second overall pick in the 2010 NFL draft. In the five seasons since, Suh earned AP first-team All-Pro honors three times, in addition to one second-team appearance and four Pro Bowl roster invites.
| Year | Games Played | Tackles | Sacks | Stuffs |
| 2010 | 16 | 49 | 10 | 6 |
| 2011 | 14 | 26 | 4 | 3 |
| 2012 | 16 | 25 | 8 | 8 |
| 2013 | 16 | 36 | 5.5 | 6 |
| 2014 | 16 | 44 | 8.5 | 13 |
The 28-year-old now enters free agency following a season where he recorded 53 combined tackles, 8.5 sacks and 13 stuffs, according to ESPN.com.
It’s hard to think of a team that wouldn’t improve defensively with the addition of Suh to their defense considering his flexibility as a tackle in a 4-3 defense or as an end in a 3-4 base set.
“He’s really a force to be reckoned with,” Detroit Lions Head Coach Jim Caldwell said of the 305-pound lineman, according to Kyle Meinke’s report for MLive.com report. “He’s disruptive, he’s quick. The normal things that you may attempt to do to some guys at his position: trap him, things of that nature, influence him, he’s got such a quick up field chard that he nullifies that. Oftentimes that’s how his tackle-for-losses show up."
Offensive dynamo Cobb will also be a highly sought-after player when free agency begins March 10. The wide receiver tormented defensive backs all around the league with 91 receptions for 1,287 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2014.
Receivers with Cobb’s track record don’t usually hit the free-agent market, especially when the only 24 years old. However, teams will wonder if the 5’ 10” wide receiver will perform as a true No. 1 option away from Aaron Rodgers and Jordy Nelson.
Unlike Cobb, Suh is above and beyond the best free-agent option at his position as he leads all defensive tackles with 36 sacks since 2010.
Fellow Lions defensive tackle Nick Fairley is likely to be the next best option in the market, but he has been anything but consistent during his four-year career in the league.
Fairley has yet to play a full regular season due to injuries and he is in the middle of a trial for DUI and reckless driving charges from 2012. His off-the-field issues and inconsistent productivity only raises Suh’s stock as an absolute power in this year’s class.
Murray could become the first player to lead the NFL in rushing yards to sign with a different team during free agency for the next year. The Cowboys running back propelled himself into the MVP conversation after rushing for 1,845 yards and 13 touchdowns on a league high 392 carries in 2014.
However, running backs don’t hold the same value, considering their shorter shelf life than other positions. Teams could be concerned about the mileage on the Murray’s legs as well as his injury history; the 27-year-old played 16 games last season for the first time out of his four years in the league.
At the same time, Suh’s health report is fairly clean, as he hasn’t missed a game due to injury since coming into the league in 2010.
Sports Illustrated’s Michael Rosenberg claims Suh is a coaches dream in his professionalism and desire to be great.
“Suh does not miss games (with injuries at least; he was suspended two games by the league in 2011 for the Dietrich-Smith incident),” Rosenberg said in a SI.com report. “He did not even miss a practice until this past December. And if every player practiced as hard as he does, coaches would never need to yell.”
The key hesitation with the dominant lineman from his time in the league so far is his discipline record. Suh received a two-game suspension for stomping on the arm of Green Bay Packer center Evan Dietrich-Smith in 2011.
Through his five seasons in the league, Suh accumulated eight fines due to on-field disciplinary issues.
Despite being a veteran he still portrays the same tendencies occasionally after receiving a one-game suspension this season for intentionally stepping on Aaron Rodgers’ leg. Suh later won his appeal and featured for the Lions in their playoff game against the Cowboys but paid a $70,000 fine.
People around the league draw comparisons to Albert Haynesworth’s deal with the Washington Redskins, and general managers around the league will have to evaluate whether Suh is worth a similar $100 million contract.
Despite his dirty reputation, teams with cap space will be lining up at the all-pro’s door due to his unquestionable work ethic and productivity as one of the top defensive players in the league over the past five seasons.
from Bleacher Report http://ift.tt/1M9WA4X
via IFTTT March 05, 2015 at 01:58AM
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