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Ndamukong Suh Rumors: Best Potential Fits

Pat Kirwan of CBS Sports reported on Friday that the Detroit Lions have “explored the idea of trading” star defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, could be a free agent following the 2014 season if he opts out of his contract. While the Lions have indicated to CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora that they’re not looking into dealing Suh, a potential trade makes sense. 

Some within the Lions organization haven’t been terribly impressed with Suh since a breakout performance as a rookie. Based on previous production and talent level alone, Detroit would have to pay Suh franchise defensive lineman money, something it might not be willing to do moving forward.

Exploring potential deals internally is one thing. Talking with other teams about specifics is yet another thing. Kirwan seems to be under the impression that Detroit has had conversations with other teams. If that’s the case, it makes sense to explore potential deals prior to the 2014 NFL draft, which is one of the deepest in modern league history.

Suh could be used as bait to move up in the top-10 of the draft or to pick up a couple picks in a class that seemingly goes 100-plus deep as it relates to impact performers. Let’s check in on some potential landing spots should Suh be moved. Note that this is based on conjecture.

St. Louis Rams

Jeff Curry, USA Today: Just think about Suh teaming up with these two.

Jeff Curry, USA Today: Just think about Suh teaming up with these two.

Owner of the second overall pick, St. Louis has been rumored to be looking to move down at the top of the draft. It is also in need of another defensive tackle to pair up with Michael Brockers on the inside. Just imagine Suh lining up with Brockers, Robert Quinn and Chris Long in the Rams base 4-3 defense. That’s enough to make the Russell Wilson’s and Colin Kaepernick’s of the world have nightmares on a daily basis.

Detroit boasts the 10th pick in the draft. This means that it would likely be able to send Suh to the Rams with that 10th selection for the No. 2 overall pick. The Lions have been rumored to be targeting wide receiver Sammy Watkins and linebacker Khalil Mack in a potential trade-up scenario.

Oakland Raiders

https://twitter.com/BHugh215/status/459686258332430336

Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie had indicated that he’s adverse to trading away draft picks for veterans, but this wouldn’t necessarily be that situation. Oakland would likely move down from five to 10 and pick up Suh in the process. Some other moving parts would have to be included, potentially a Raiders mid-round pick going to the Lions.

If either Watkins or Mack are available, the Lions will assuredly call Oakland when its on the clock. Could those conversations include Suh? Potentially. For the Raiders, it would enable them to get that star that they have been looking for on the defensive side of the ball and potentially still pick up a rumored draft-day target in the form of Taylor Lewan at No. 10 overall. Suh also fits what the Raiders are building schematically on defense.

Dallas Cowboys

We aren’t too sure how this would work out salary cap wise for the Cowboys, but that hasn’t stopped Jerry Jones from making similar moves in the past. As someone who has played strictly inside in a 4-3 with Nebraska and then the Lions, there are some questions about Suh’s ability to transition to a 3-4. Then again, that didn’t stop the Cowboys from moving DeMarcus Ware from a hands-down position to outside linebacker last season prior to releasing him this offseason. It’s the Cowboys, anything is on the table.

We do know the Cowboys have been linked to defensive linemen during the entire draft process, with Re’Shade Hageman and Aaron Donald both being mentioned a ton. If the Cowboys are a looking for an interior pass-rush threat, Suh could be their man. While he’s unlikely to yield the Lions a first-round pick, Dallas’ selection in the second round (47th overall) could be in play.

Photo: Tim Fuller, USA Today

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