Why Detroit Lions Must Absolutely Retain Ndamukong Suh

It isn't about what the Detroit Lions want when it comes to re-signing Ndamukong Suh. It's about need.

And they absolutely, unequivocally have to bring back arguably the game's most destructive defensive tackle.

While a fanbase starved for a consistent winner echoes that statement, there are still those who don't think a defensive tackle is worth over $100 million. They think the money should be used to upgrade other problem areas, but those few are missing how special Suh really is:

"

.@Fred22Jackson on Suh: He is every bit of the hype and then some. He is unstoppable. He is THAT good. @DSports1051 #SB1051

— Matt Dery (@dery1051) January 29, 2015"

Detroit would have faced ridicule had Calvin Johnson been allowed to walk. That would be the least of the Lions' concerns if they fail to lock up their best defensive player.

Let's examine why.

He's Irreplaceable

There are very few defensive players who can affect a game like Suh. J.J. Watt is the prototype for defensive linemen, but as New England Patriots wide receiver Brandon LaFell explained to Kyle Meinke of MLive.com, Suh garners a high level of respect as well:

"

What worked for us was not playing into their hands, and (challenging) what they're best at," New England receiver Brandon LaFell said Tuesday during Super Bowl media day. "We're not trying to run up the middle against those guys, because Suh is the best defensive tackle in the game.

"

Suh is the notch just below the top of Watt's measuring stick, a freak in his own right who draws—and beats—double-teams with regularity. That skill allows Suh to finish drives on his own, as he did on the Miami Dolphins' first possession with a tackle for loss and a sack.

That's how he stacks up against the very best in the game. Check out how Suh compares to others at his position, per Pro Football Focus:

Player	Sacks	QB Hits	QB Hurries	Stops
Ndamukong Suh	8	12	37	38
Aaron Donald	9	6	29	36
Gerald McCoy	9	9	27	22
Marcell Dareus	10	3	19	35

Suh is unique because few can replicate his success in both phases of the defensive game. 

He keys the defense by occupying multiple blockers on nearly every play, giving the linebackers free access to meet the ball-carrier. And he also racks up his fair share of defensive stops (plays that constitute offensive failures).

Jeff Haynes/Associated Press

But the kicker is his ability to pierce the pocket. He is far and away the leader among defensive tackles in quarterback hurries and close behind in sacks. 

Lastly, Suh is darn near indestructible. The former Cornhusker has missed two games in his career due to the infamous Thanksgiving stomp, and that's it. And even the behavioral issues have been toned down considering he was classified as a first-time offender prior to "resting his weight" on Aaron Rodgers' ankle. 

Contract Structure

In the unlikely event that you weren't sold on Suh's talent and performance, let's table that discussion for later. We need to get you on board with the numbers.

I've written that the contract will come in at seven years for $119 million. The guaranteed money will likely be much higher than $51.9 million. The only concession I'd make on this thought now is the loss of the seventh year to make it six years for $102 million and a large amount of guaranteed cash.

However, I think that extra year will be cosmetic compensation thrown in to assuage Suh's ego. The extra year and cash over both Watt and Gerald McCoy will make him the highest-paid defender for the time being, per Spotrac.com.

	Cap Hits				Dead Money
Player	2015	2016	2017	2018	2015	2016	2017	2018
J.J. Watt	$21.97M	$12.5M	$12.5M	$13M	$27.97M	$6M	$4M	$2M
Gerald McCoy	$14.6M	$13M	$13.75M	$12.75M	$4.6M	$1.5M	$1M	$500K

Don't get too excited about the dead money on those contracts. Two years and a $6.5 million 2015 roster bonus will be guaranteed as of March 12, and McCoy's 2017 salary gets locked in within the first week of the 2016 league year. Watt's contract has a similar structure.

Suh's cap hits will likely be spread in a different manner.

Instead of front-loading his contract like the ones above, the rise in his cap numbers will coincide with the fall of Calvin Johnson's. The stud wide receiver carries a cap hit of over $20 million for the next three years, but his dead money will drop to $4.86 million in 2017.

Carlos Osorio/Associated Press

The other concern is the $62 million Matthew Stafford is owed over three years. However, the 26-year-old signal-caller's deal will be reworked and extended in the next year or two.

With the salary cap rising steadily over the next few years, there is definitely room to squeeze in Suh's contract despite a couple of hefty contracts. There aren't any excuses to not bring him back unless you don't think his position is worth the pay.

But what you're really saying if you use that logic is having an elite defense isn't a priority. Because regardless of how general manager Martin Mayhew spreads the money around, it won't make up for the lack of a blue-chip talent at the forefront of the defense.

All salary-cap numbers are sourced from Spotrac.com. All advanced stats, grades and positional rankings are courtesy of Pro Football Focus.

Brandon Alisoglu is a Detroit Lions Featured Columnist who has written about the Lions on multiple sites. He also co-hosts a Lions-centric podcast, Lions Central Radio. Yell at him on Twitter about how wrong he is @BrandonAlisoglu.