Detroit Lions: 15 best first-round draft picks of all-time
By John Buhler
It’s been longer than you think since disruptive defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh last played for the Lions. He is on his third NFL team now in the Los Angeles Rams. However, he remains one of the best first-round picks the Lions have made to date. He was so productive in his five years with the organization.
The Lions used their No. 2 overall pick on the dominant defensive lineman for the Nebraska Cornhuskers in the 2010 NFL Draft. Only Sam Bradford was taken before him in that draft. In five years with the Lions, Suh made four trips to the Pro Bowl and earned three First-Team All-Pro honors. He would earn Second-Team All-Pro honors the other Pro Bowl season.
Suh would leave the Lions in 2015 NFL free agency to sign a record-setting deal with the Miami Dolphins. After three years with Miami, he would be released this past spring before signing with the NFC contending Rams. While he is a five-time Pro Bowler and was the 2010 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, Suh has never been on a team that has won a playoff game.
In his five seasons with the Lions, Suh had 181 tackles, 60 assists, 36.0 quarterback sacks, 15 passes defended, two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery, an interception, a safety and a defensive touchdown.
Though he may never be beloved by the Lions after his departure in free agency to the Dolphins, you cannot deny Sup’s on-field productivity in his five years with the team. He might be a Pro Football Hall of Famer one day and is a lock to be in the College Football Hall of Fame.