The Detroit Lions have opted not to place the franchise tag on unrestricted free agent Ndamukong Suh and we really can't blame them for it. The franchise tag for Suh would have cost the Lions almost $27 million in 2015. Most elite quarterbacks don't even have that type of salary cap hit. Suh may be the best defensive tackle in the NFL right now, but that astronomical sum of money was just too much for the team to stomach. The two sides could still work out a long-term deal, but all signs are pointing to Suh stirring up a bidding war once free agency begins on March 10.
So which teams will come forth as potential suitors?
"The Oakland Raiders, Jacksonville Jaguars, Indianapolis Colts and Tennessee Titans are among the teams that could try to lure Suh from Detroit," Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press wrote.
"All have more than $30 million in 2015 salary cap room, or almost double what the Lions have in available space (less than $18 million)."
Not only do the Raiders and Jaguars have gobs of salary cap space this offseason, but both teams are required to spend big money to reach the spending floor this year. Plus, it's not as if a team needs to run a particular defense for Suh to fit in. He is the rare type of talent that transcends schemes.
"He's one of the few defensive players that make everyone around him better," ESPN NFL Insider Matt Williamson wrote. "You can use him like J.J. Watt as a 3-4 attacking defensive end or certainly as a tackle in the 4-3. He's the type of player that anyone who runs any scheme would want."
Suh blends a combination of elite run-stopping ability with above average pass-rushing skills from the DT position. The Lions finished last season as the No. 1 rushing defense in the league (69.3 yards per game) while Suh recorded 53 tackles and 8.5 sacks. Any team would be lucky to have him on the field.
