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Re-signing Ndamukong Suh; A Detroit Lions Necessity

By Eli Kaplan

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Re-signing Ndamukong Suh isn’t an option for the Detroit Lions, it’s a necessity. Most good NFL franchises don’t make a habit of allowing their best players to leave, for nothing. Imagine the Patriots without Tom Brady. Or the Seahawks without Marshawn Lynch (or even Russell Wilson or Richard Sherman).

It’s highly unlikely those teams would be constant Superbowl contenders without retaining their very best players. The Lions are no exception – and before they can even think about playing in a Superbowl, they need to find a way (any way at all) to re-sign Ndamukong Suh.

Suh’s value can be (partly) measured by stats. He finished this past season with 51 total tackles, 8.5 sacks (third among defensive tackles), and 21 tackles for loss (first among defensive tackles and third among all defensive players).

Digging deeper into the numbers, Suh’s value continues to shine. According to ProFootballFocus, Suh had the fourth best Run Stop Percentage among DT’s at 9.7, and the seventh best Pass Rushing Productivity (8.4). His overall grade (+27.5) was third best among DT’s.

But Suh’s value goes far beyond the stat sheet. Throughout his career, he has proven to be extremely durable. He plays most games, and he plays most snaps in those games. Facing constant double-teams, his mere presence alone frees up time, space, and opportunities for defensive ends Ezekial Ansah and Jason Jones, as well as the linebacking corps, to be more effective. Extra attention on Suh also helps whichever defensive tackle lines up next to him.

Photograph: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports

Speaking of which… Suh isn’t the only Lions defensive tackle set to become a free agent. Nick Fairley, CJ Mosley, and Andre Fluellen are all impending free agents. That makes re-signing Suh all the more crucial for the Lions.

Fairley and Mosley are good players, but they’re no Ndamukong Suh. Fairley has an immense amount of talent, but his play has been consistently inconsistent, his durability is questionable, and until this season, his weight issues have always been a concern.

What’s the alternative to not re-signing Suh? Could the Lions draft a defensive tackle to replace him? They could try. This years defensive tackle class is deep, but drafting 23rd in the first round, I wouldn’t bet on anyone with Suh’s impact and potential being available by the time the Lions pick. Many mock drafts have the Lions grabbing a DT in the first round, but I’d much rather be drafting Nick Fairley’s replacement than Ndamukong Suh’s. The Lions could look at other DT free agents like Kevin Williams, Dan Williams, Ahtyba Rubin, Stephen Paea, and Terrance Knighton. Knighton is probably the best of the bunch, but none of them bring the skill-set of an Ndamukong Suh.

He’s a special player, and that’s why you don’t let him sign elsewhere – no matter the money (which should be somewhere between JJ Watt’s 6 year, $100 million deal, and Gerald McCoy’s 7 year, $98 million deal). Even if you have to use the dreaded franchise tag on Suh ($26.7 million for the upcoming season), you don’t let him walk. He IS the franchise, and the Lions should dread the alternative.

What do you think the Lions should do? Do you agree that Suh is irreplaceable, or should they spend their money elsewhere? I’d love to hear your thoughts and comments.

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