Free Agent Nick Fairley Will Prove to Be Better DT Value Than Ndamukong Suh
It's rare that a team will have two former first-round picks hit free agency in the same offseason. It's even rarer for both of those picks to be top-half selections at the same position. Yet, this is the predicament the Detroit Lions find themselves in.
Both Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley are about to become free agents.
Suh is 28, and Fairley is 27. They were back-to-back first-round picks in 2010 and 2011. Suh is the big attraction of the offseason. He is expected to hit the open market only because it would cost an absurd amount to franchise-tag him.
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Once Suh becomes available to every NFL team, it's unlikely he will be signed to a contract that represents value for his new team. He will receive a contract that would satisfy a franchise quarterback.
It should be noted there are no signs to suggest Suh will follow the established path of Albert Haynesworth as someone who appeared to quit once he was paid. Yet, it still seems unlikely that Suh can be good enough to justify the money he will receive. As an individual defensive player, it's simply difficult to dominate to that level on a consistent basis.
The Haynesworth concerns are given more legitimacy when they are applied to Fairley.
Over his four-year career in the NFL, Fairley has dealt with off-field concerns, weight issues and various injuries. The 13th overall pick of the 2011 draft only played in eight games last year because of a knee injury.
Those eight games came after he was demoted for gaining weight during the preseason and before he was found guilty of reckless driving, although not of a DUI, a few weeks ago.
Concerns over signing Fairley are obvious. He hasn't lived up to the high expectations that accompanied him out of Auburn. Yet, those concerns can and will be used to depress the market for his signature, making him a more valuable free-agent addition.
At the least, Fairley appears to have figured out his weight issues. During the 2014 season, he hired a personal chef who helped him drop 20 pounds. In that kind of shape, it was no surprise Fairley was effective on the field when he was available.
It's obvious that Suh is a better player than Fairley, but Fairley is still one of the better defensive tackles in the league.
Significantly, he has a well-rounded skill set that will make him a fit in various roles for various schemes. Fairley can move around to play as an edge defender in different situations, but his primary value comes on the inside.
On this play, Fairley is lined up as the right defensive tackle in a 4-3 front. The younger of the defensive tackle duo is aligned directly across from the A-gap between the offense's center and left guard. Because Suh is pushed so far to the left, Fairley is in position to draw a double-team on this play.
When the offense runs the ball directly at Fairley, it puts him under pressure to hold his position.
Fairley aggressively attacks the inside shoulder of the center when the ball is snapped. He uses his powerful upper body to knock the center back for a moment, but then he is immediately contacted by the left guard.
This puts pressure on Fairley to reset his feet to hold his positioning.
Without taking his attention away from the center, he plants his left foot away from his body so he can create leverage against the left guard while still maintaining his positioning against the center.
Because of his sheer power and technique through contact, he is able to stay on the inside shoulder of the center after the left guard leaves the double-team to advance to the second level. That positioning allows him to hit the running back at the line of scrimmage to take him down for no gain.
Fairley's size (6'4", 308 lbs), balance and overall athleticism allow him to be both a space-eating run defender and someone who can win one-on-one situations in space or by penetrating the backfield.
He begins this play in a similar situation to the last one. However, on this occasion he immediately attacks the left guard at the snap, while the center advances to the second level in search of a linebacker. The New York Jets aren't attempting to double-team Fairley; instead, they are trying to leverage him out of the play.
As soon as the play begins, he gets his hands on the left guard so he can control him while keeping his eyes in the backfield.
The left guard gets outside positioning on Fairley, but the defensive tackle is in control of the situation as he easily shifts the guard to the ground to go back outside when the running back changes direction. This kind of play highlights how Fairley is effective in space when attacked from different angles.
His active hands and strength are as impressive as his balance and size.
Those traits also play an important role in his ability to rush the passer. Fairley is surprisingly explosive for a player of his size. Because his build doesn't carry much excess weight, at least when he's in shape, he is able to move comfortably while chasing the quarterback.
As an interior defender who excels against the run, Fairley only needs to be able to consistently push the pocket to be a valuable pass-rusher.
On this play, the New Orleans Saints are in a passing situation, so the defense comes out in its nickel package. Fairley is the only player lined up as an interior defensive lineman. With edge-rushers split wide to each side, the defensive tackle is aligned directly across from the left guard.
He is ultimately going to end up in a one-on-one situation.
Fairley initially uses his hands to prevent the left guard from engaging him off the line. He slaps the left guard's hands away before shifting his weight toward the center. Fairley doesn't get away from the left guard cleanly and also recognizes that he doesn't have space to attack in front of him.
Therefore, instead of continuing into the thick of the pass protection, he plants his foot and attempts to turn back toward the left guard.
Showing impressive balance and power, Fairley pushes his way across the body of the left guard so that he gets onto his outside shoulder. From there, he forces the left guard backward so he can get into the sight line of the quarterback in the pocket.
Although this wasn't an outstanding pass-rush play, it does highlight his ability to overpower offensive linemen and move comfortably in space.
In 46 games (30 starts), Fairley has 13.5 career sacks. That is an impressive ratio for a player who has struggled to stay healthy and consistently remain in top physical shape. Thirteen-and-a-half sacks may not seem like a lot, but that's a remarkable number for an interior defensive lineman.
Fairley has obviously benefited from playing alongside Suh and to an extent with Ezekiel Ansah, but he has been the primary protagonist for his production.
At this stage of his career, a team can sign him to be a foundation piece in order to rebuild the defense or a strong starting option in an established defense. He may benefit from moving to a 3-4 system where he can play as a defensive end to maximize his ability against the run.
No matter where he lands, if Fairley is coming at half or even one-third the price of Suh, he should prove to be a much more valuable free agent for his new team than Suh will be for his.
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