Why Ndamukong Suh Is the Best NFL Free Agent on the Market

Ndamukong Suh is the best NFL free agent on the market—not by claim, but by consensus. The defensive tackle topped the lists of both Pro Football Talk and Around the NFL as the league’s hottest free agent of 2015.

Suh's physicality and consistent career performance combined with the impact he makes at the interior position makes him the best athlete free agency will have to offer this offseason.

His Physicality

Standing at 6'4" and weighing in at 305 pounds, it's no surprise Suh is a disruptive player. His ability to penetrate offensive lines makes him one of the best pass-rushers in the league.

Watch him break through the Chicago Bears' line and scramble to sack Jay Cutler:

Suh isn't only a pass-rusher—the defensive tackle can also stuff runs.

According to ProFootballFocus.com, Suh finished the 2014 regular season fourth among the league's defensive tackles with 26 defensive stops against the run.

Watch him stop Arizona Cardinals running back Andre Ellington in the first clip of these highlights:

His Performance and Impact

Suh's 53 combined tackles in 2014 was the third highest among interior defensive linemen, behind the Philadelphia Eagles' Bennie Logan with 57 and the New York Jets' Damon Harrison with 55.

According to ESPN's Keven Seifert, Suh's 36 career sacks led all NFL defensive tackles during the period from 2010 to 2014. Suh also sits atop the list of the top 20 free agents compiled by Seifert and ESPN scout Matt Williamson.

Williamson gave his take on Suh's adaptability to schemes in the report:

"

He's one of the few defensive players that make everyone around him better. He demands attention. He can fit any scheme. 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 was a big reason why Detroit was No. 1 in rushing defense this past season. According to ESPN Stats & Information, the Lions gave up an average 4.12 yards per rush when Suh was off the field, compared to the 2.84 yards they gave up during the regular season when he was on.

What's Next

Considering the physical way Suh plays, the hesitation regarding his durability is expected. But judging by the way Suh's body has held up so far, it doesn't look like it will give in anytime soon. The three-time first-team All-Pro player has yet to miss a game due to injury in his five-year career.

Detroit does have the option to franchise-tag Suh, but it would need to make that decision by March 2. Around the NFL’s Kevin Patra reported Wednesday that Detroit’s general manager, Martin Mayhew, is “optimistic” that the team will strike a new deal with Suh, calling it "priority No. 1."

However, should Suh choose to exercise his free agency elsewhere, there will be a long line of potential suitors. At the top of the list? According to Bleacher Report's Jason Cole, sources close to Suh say that he wants to play for the Seattle Seahawks.