Barring an unexpected long-term agreement between the Detroit Lions and Ndamukong Suh in the next week, the All-Pro defensive tackle will hit the open market come March 10th.
In less-than-surprising news Dianna Marie Russini of NBC4 in D.C., is reporting that the Oakland Raiders, Jacksonville Jaguars and Tampa Bay Buccaneers are expected to be “hot” after the heralded defensive lineman.
All three teams boast over $40 million in cap room heading into free agency. All three teams also have the need to add a high-value defensive player after struggling on that side of the ball last season.
The most intriguing potential fit has to be the Raiders, who are expected to be big-time players on the open market. Acquiring a presence like Suh would be huge for the team’s young front seven. His gap-filling and penetration ability should help youngster Khalil Mack create pressure on the outside. Having two Pro Bowl-caliber players in the front seven would do wonders for Jack Del Rio’s defense. It would also enable the Raiders to avoid spending big money on the secondary.
Outside of the Raiders, Tampa Bay has to be an interesting fit. It already boasts the best defensive tackle in the NFL not named Ndamukong Suh in the form of Gerald McCoy. Just imagine those two anchoring what has been a disappointing unit for head coach Lovie Smith.
Keep in mind that this is the first of what promises to be a ton of rumors surrounding the franchise defensive tackle. There’s no way that Suh’s market is limited to three teams, especially with all the money that’s going to be thrown around in the coming weeks and his ability on defense.
Photo: USA Today