The Detroit Lions ended up not placing the franchise tag on Ndamukong Suh - saving themselves the nearly $27 million cap hit in the process - which means that the dominating defensive tackle will likely hit the open market once free agency opens on March 10. Suh will undoubtedly be one of the most sought after players in free agent history. It's not often that a franchise defensive player becomes available, after all.
Suh is reportedly seeking the richest contract for a defensive player of all time. Which teams might be willing to give it to him?
"In order to land Suh, a team is going to need to spend a lot of money," ESPN NFL Insider Matt Williamson wrote. "The Raiders, Browns and Colts all could use a player on defense to build around on the interior - and a major upgrade on that side of the ball, no less. Suh fits any scheme and can be used in a variety of ways."
All three teams have max salary cap space. The Raiders are working with roughly $55 million of financial wiggle room, the Colts have upwards of $45 million and the Browns have nearly $51 million. The dollar amount will not be the problem for any of these franchises.
"He's an every-down player, and although it has gotten him into trouble in the past, he brings an aggression like few others in the NFL," Williamson wrote. "We know the Colts and Browns aren't afraid to make big splashes with signings or draft picks, and the Colts, being a contender, could be a very attractive landing spot for Suh."
The Raiders, meanwhile, will have to spend big money in free agency to reach the minimum salary floor mandated by the NFL. However, these three teams will likely have to face competition from much of the rest of the league.
"Rarely does a player of Suh's value actually hit the open market and avoid the franchise tag," Williamson wrote. "Any team in the league that can make Suh's new contract work under its cap should be in the market for him."
It will likely take a deal that averages around $16 million a year to land Suh. Nineteen teams have at least $16 million in cap space at the moment, according to Spotrac.com. In other words, get your popcorn ready.
