Defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh is regarded as the top free agent on the market this offseason. A number of teams have been speculated to make a run at the Pro Bowler and another interesting destination has emerged as a serious possibility this week.
According to Mike Florio of NBC Sports' ProFootballTalk, the Miami Dolphins "may emerge as the major player for Suh." Florio's report is not alone. ESPN Insiders John Clayton and Mark Dominik believe the Dolphins have a legitimate chance to sign Suh of they can make his salary work, especially since the state of Florida has no income tax. Suh is expected to land a $100 million deal.
This also isn't anything too new. NFL Network's Gregg Rosenthal had the Dolphins on his list of six teams with the best shot to land the prize defensive tackle, along with the Detroit Lions, Oakland Raiders, Jacksonville Jaguars, Chicago Bears and Indianapolis Colts. It was also reported on Tuesday that the New York Giants could get into the mix as well.
Both Florio and Dave Hyde of the Sun Sentinel believe the Dolphins' chance of landing Suh ultimately rests on the shoulders of the team's ownership.
"Owner Stephen Ross has tried unsuccessfully to land a big name over the last four years," writes Florio. "From Jim Harbaugh to Peyton Manning to Jeff Fisher, the Dolphins have yet to make anything happen ... Ultimately, it may come down to the Dolphins bidding against themselves as Suh and [agent Jimmy] Sexton try to set the bar for defensive players as high as they can."
"One thing Steve Ross knows is money and business in building the world's premier development company," adds Hyde. "It's not like he's alone in this among NFL owners. But as founder of The Related Group, Ross has the portfolio and business selling points that would be a bonus in recruiting Suh."
Miami has cleared some cap space to make a run at Suh, but they still have some more work to do. The 2015 salary cap was set at $143.28 million earlier this week and the Dolphins currently have $142,789,401 among their active contracts, but that could change if other teams make a run at tight end Charles Clay. Miami placed the transition tag on him, which means he'll earn the average of the top 10 salaries among tight ends ($7.071 million) for the 2015 season, but other teams can negotiate with him and won't have to compensate Miami if he signs elsewhere.
Additionally, the team has been shopping wide receiver Mike Wallace, who will count $12.1 million against the cap in 2015. Wallace isn't willing to take a pay cut, so it still remains possible the Dolphins release him, especially since he only caught 67 passes for 862 yards and five touchdowns last year.
With a significant need at the defensive tackle position, don't be surprised if the Dolphins do all they can to land Suh, who would upgrade their defense exponentially.
