Ndamukong Suh: Browns Free Agency Profile
The Cleveland Browns season is over. We will spend a good amount of time reviewing the season but we will spend even more time preparing for the off-season. Browns free agency seems destined to be an interesting one. The Browns spent a little bit of money last year with anticipating of building through the draft for long term success. The 2014 was expected to be another down year with high expectations towards the future. Instead the 2014 started off strong and ended with a thud.
Now the Browns are full of salary cap space, even though they have a few free agents of their own they might like to sign, as well as 10 picks in the NFL Draft, including two 1st rounders. It is likely that GM Ray Farmer and Head Coach Mike Pettine see a greater need for more veteran talent on a very young roster and we expect them to be aggressive in seeking to bring in that talent during Browns free agency.
In preparation for such we will be taking a look at certain players that we think the Browns could target. Keep in mind we are not saying that these are players they are targeting, although some rumors may start to leak of the Browns having interest in them, instead these are players that we think the Browns could or should have interest in. Our profile will try to include as much information as possible to prepare you for free agency.
Every Free Agent Profile Done Can Be Found Here: 2015 Browns Free Agency Profile List
Name
Position
4-3 Defensive Tackle/3-4 Defensive End
Height/Weight
6-4/305
2014 Team
Detroit Lions
Stats:
16 Games, 53 tackles, 8.5 sacks
PFF Grade/Rank: (Link)
Grade: 27.5, Rank: 1st in Defensive Interior Ranking. Next closest was 14.4 for Stephen Paea. 2nd Best Defensive rating behind Justin Houston at 51.1.
2014 Free Agent Signing Comparison Contract
None!
There were no players that came close to comparing to Suh in last year’s free agent group. Linval Joseph, Jason Hatcher and Tyson Jackson were the best of that group. Jackson got a 5 year, $25 million contract. The best comparison is from year’s past:
Albert Haynesworth (7 Years, $100 Million with the Washington Redskins)
The Redskins overpaid for the former Titan, who ironically enough was also coming off 8.5 sacks in his free agent year. Haynesworth’s issues were related to effort and attitude. Suh’s issues are more self control on the field than anything else. Suh may not get this kind of contract, but it will be close. For the Browns to sign him they will likely have to overpay. The comparisons don’t stop there as Big Albert’s downfall in Washington happened when he was forced to play out of position in a 3-4 instead of his natural spot in a 4-3. Suh with the Browns would be similar, though we believe Suh could transition to defensive end better than Haynesworth.
Fit with the Browns
The Browns have a lot of needs and defensive line is #1. Suh obviously is a highly talented player that could help the Browns greatly. He is not, however, a nose tackle and would not help the Browns at the point of attack. If the Browns signed Suh but didn’t upgrade the nose spot it is fair to say Suh’s impact, especially against the run, would be minimized. Defensive ends in the 3-4 are first responsible to hold the edge and then attack the QB. Suh likes to penetrate and attack. He, like Phil Taylor all of last season, could find himself out of position often and pushed out of plays. If he buys in, and the Browns upgrade the nose, Suh could create havoc for opposing offenses.
Browns Player Signing Could Impact
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Phil Taylor – Not just because Taylor plays defensive end, or at least that is his best position, but also because he has only 1 year around $5 million left on his contract. Signing Suh would create a situation where the Browns free up some salary cap space for other needs and Taylor is an easy fix for the team to cut.
How Signing Could Impact the NFL Draft
It is possible that the Browns could draft two defensive linemen within their first 3 to 4 picks. Signing Suh would limit that need to a pure nose tackle who would hold the point of attack and tack on double teams. With Suh’s talent the rest of the Browns defensive players could be better just based on his presence so the Browns could go a little more offensive minded in the draft as well.
Priority
Medium – Let us be honest about a few things related to Ndamukong Suh and the Browns: 1) He isn’t likely coming to Cleveland, 2) It would cost a lot to get him (a big overpay), 3) He would not be used to his best in a 3-4 versus a 4-3 and 4) He actually wouldn’t address the Browns biggest need on defense (nose tackle). That being said, the Browns have a ton of cap space, a need on the line and getting the most talented player in free agency never seems like a bad thing. That is unless Suh turns out to be the second coming of Haynesworth.
What do you think about targeting Ndamukong Suh in Browns Free Agency?