Ndamukong Suh is considered to be the top free agent on the market this offseason and teams like the Oakland Raiders, Miami Dolphins, San Diego Chargers, Cleveland Browns, New York Giants and NY Jets could be potential options to target him in free agency along with the Detroit Lions, as he is expected to get a major contract offer that could make him the highest paid defensive player in football.
Suh is 28-years-old and is the top player at his position and now he will likely be getting paid in the range of JJ Watt. According to Pro Football Talk, the Lions remain in the mix for Suh, but if other teams go with huge offers, there is a chance they let him walk. The team has Suh and Nick Fairley hitting free agency and the Detroit Free Press reports that if Suh leaves, the Lions likely will try and retain Fairley.
The Miami Dolphins and Oakland Raiders emerged as early favorites for Suh, but NFL.com reports that another team could get involved, with Ian Rapoport on Twitter writing that the Chargers could get involved. The Chargers could be a surprise team in free agency, as they have been connected to Adrian Peterson in some reports and they have already signed Jacoby Jones to a deal. The team need some depth on the defensive line and this would be a huge coup if the team signed Suh. According to Over the Cap, the Chargers are $26 million under the cap and they could free up more as free agency and the offseason starts.
Suh could command a massive salary on the market, with Adam Schefter reporting earlier in the offseason that he wants to be the highest paid defensive player in football. According to CBS Sports, Jason La Canfora reported on Twitter that Suh could command up to "17 million per season" and that he is "hearing" he could get in the range of $60 million guaranteed. Suh has set a visit with the Raiders for next week and starting on Saturday teams are allowed to start contacting agents of players ahead of the opening of free agency.
Last season Suh had 8.5 sacks and 43 tackles on the season and he helped the Lions finish first in the league in rushing yards per game. According to the Detroit Free Press, general manager Martin Mayhew said he felt "optimistic" about getting a deal done with Suh, but once he hits the market it will be out of the Lions' hands. The team could have used the franchise tag on Suh, but that would have cost over $25 million and that likely would be too much with Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson already on the books.
Suh is an All-Pro player and while he has had his issues on the field and off of it, no one is questioning his talents as a defensive lineman. The Giants reportedly will make a "run at Suh", but Dan Graziano at ESPN.com writes that the news could just be a way to pressure Jason Pierre-Paul into signing a cotract. The Giants are talking with JPP after putting the franchise tag on him and if the team doesn't go after Suh, Nick Fairley could be a target.
