Why Ndamukong Suh Deserves to Be the Highest-Paid Defensive Player in the NFL

Ndamukong Suh is set to become a free agent. His importance is so great to the Detroit Lions that general manager Martin Mayhew should reach for his checkbook and make him the highest-paid defensive player in the NFL.

Suh will be in high demand. Lions beat writer Josh Katzenstein of The Detroit News wrote that he wants to surpass J.J. Watt as the NFL's highest-paid defensive player. Last year, Watt signed a six-year, $100 million contract with the Houston Texans, according to NFL.com. Elliott Friedman shared his projections regarding Suh's future:

Suh was the centerpiece of the Lions' No. 1-ranked rush defense in 2014, and he led the team in sacks with 8.5, per ESPN.

Despite constantly being double-teamed, he is still able to shed blocks and dominate on the defensive line. Suh is a force in stopping the run as well as rushing the quarterback. Retaining his services in Detroit has to be Mayhew's No. 1 priority with free agency approaching.

Anchor of the Defensive Line

Per Marty Callinan of ESPN Stats & Info (via ESPN.com), the Lions allowed an average of 2.95 yards per rush on first down with Suh on the field. Without him, they gave up 4.59 yards.

The Lions pressured opposing quarterbacks on 30.1 percent of dropbacks with Suh on the field, compared to just 19.8 percent without him.

“He’s a dominant, dominant player who we benefit from having his services,” Lions head coach Jim Caldwell said, according to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. “He’s quite a player.”

Suh is often double-teamed by opposing offensive lineman. Here is an example versus the Green Bay Packers in Detroit.

Credit: NFL Game Pass

On this play, Suh's job is to attack Nick Fairley's blocker, T.J. Lang (70). The hope is that Suh's blocker, Bryan Bulaga (75) will follow him inside, creating an opportunity for Fairley to break away and sack the quarterback.

Suh uses his power to push Lang to the ground, despite being blocked by Bulaga. Fairley then runs around the outside, causing Bulaga to follow him along with running back James Starks (44).

With Lang out of the way, Suh has a clear route to quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who has nowhere to scramble and is sacked.

Here is another example. On the road at Minnesota, Suh once again found himself double-teamed, but he was able to break through for the sack. This is another play executed perfectly by the Lions defense, and again highlights Suh's power.

Credit: NFL Game Pass

In the screenshot, Suh is being blocked by guard Vladimir Ducasse (62) and tackle Phil Loadholt (71). Meanwhile, running back Joe Banyard (23) is blocking defensive end Ezekiel Ansah (94) to the right of quarterback Teddy Bridgewater.

The Lions plan here is to get Suh in a one-on-one situation. To do that, linebacker Josh Bynes (57, standing just behind Suh) makes a move outside and forces Banyard to make the block. Ansah then needs to be accommodated and is subsequently picked up by Loadholt, leaving Suh alone with Ducasse.

Suh uses a spin move to try and beat his man; Bridgewater steps up in the pocket into the space; however, Suh is able to use his strength and athleticism to break away and sack the quarterback.

According to Zoltan Buday of Pro Football Focus, Suh earned a plus-27.5 overall grade in 2014—third-best among defensive tackles in the regular season. He also earned a plus-18.1 run defense grade—good for second-best. Suh’s plus-14.8 pass-rushing grade ranked seventh among defensive tackles.

In the dominant Lions defense, Suh is the anchor at its heart with his power, strength and speed.

Suh Improves Play of Teammates

While Suh is ultimately judged on statistics such as how many sacks and tackles he makes, it’s the contributions he makes for the rest of the defense that makes him so important to the Lions.

When opponents are lining up against Suh, they need to have a plan. Often, that is to put two men on him. As we’ve seen, he’s more than capable of breaking through regardless and making a play. Even when the double-team does work, something has to give elsewhere. Committing an extra man to Suh opens opportunities for other defenders to make a play.

Is it a coincidence that in one of Suh’s finest seasons, 2014, his fellow defenders' performances also improved?

DeAndre Levy had by far the best season of his career. Levy finished with 151 combined tackles and 2.5 sacks—both career highs. He also registered five pass defenses, 15 stuffs and an interception. The South Florida Sun Sentinel's Omar Kelly noted Suh was the "dominant force" in ensuring his teammates excelled on the field:

The likes of George Johnson, Ezekiel Ansah and Jason Jones have all excelled with Suh playing at such a high level. Johnson struggled to get on the field during his two years in Tampa Bay, but he played all 16 games for the Lions in 2014 and registered six sacks. Ansah recorded 7.5 sacks and a career-high 49 tackles. Jones matched the five sacks he achieved in his 2008 rookie season with the Tennessee Titans.

Here is an example of Suh’s play improving his teammates’ production against Miami at Ford Field.

Credit: NFL Game Pass

Suh is lined up at defensive end with Ansah inside. Suh’s blocker is tackle Ja’Wuan James (70); Ansah’s is center Mike Pouncey (51). Suh explodes inside, dragging James along with him. In the process he is able to push Pouncey off balance, allowing Ansah to loop around the outside and sack Ryan Tannehill. Suh makes the play with his ability to disrupt Ansah’s blocker while being covered himself.

This is another example at home against Chicago on Thanksgiving Day.

Credit: NFL Game Pass

Once again, Suh draws attention from two offensive linemen. On this play, linebackers Tahir Whitehead and DeAndre Levy are at the line of scrimmage.

Suh rushes inside and is blocked by guard Kyle Long (75) and center Roberto Garza (63). Levy drops into coverage, and the Bears respond by blocking Jason Jones with tackles Jermon Bushrod (74) and Michael Ola (70). Due to the Bears being forced to focus on Suh and the middle of the line, Ansah is given a clear lane at right end to rush Jay Cutler. He is poorly blocked by running back Matt Forte and makes an easy play.

The Lions crowded the line of scrimmage and forced the Bears to block in one direction, leaving the preferred matchup for Ansah. Forte had no chance. It all starts again with Suh gaining so much respect from offenses. He is often given the attention of two linemen, and it opens up opportunities for someone else to make a defensive play.

Plenty in the Tank

At 28 years old, Suh still has plenty to offer in the NFL. He is in the prime of his career, and there is no reason to believe he will be slowing down anytime soon.

Games	Tackles	Sacks	Pass Defenses	Stuffs
16	66	10.0	3	6
14	36	4.0	1	3
16	35	8.0	2	8
16	49	5.5	6	6
16	53	8.5	3	13

Statistically, 2014 was Suh’s best season since his rookie year in 2010. His 53 combined tackles and 8.5 sacks, which was an improvement on the 2013 season, shows that his arrow is firmly pointed upwards.

Suh had his most productive year against the run in 2014, too. He registered 13 stuffs, which is five more than his previous best of eight set in 2012.

A concern the Detroit Lions might have is that Suh will turn 30 near the end of the 2016 season. It’s counterproductive to sign players to a lucrative long-term deal if they won’t play to a high standard for the entirety of the contract. History suggests that he could still be dominant well into his 30s, however.

Philadelphia Eagles and Green Bay Packers legendary defensive end Reggie White remained consistent after he passed the age of 30. Between the ages of 30 and 35, White registered 15-, 14-, 13-, eight-, 12- and 8.5-sack seasons, respectively.

Jason Taylor posted double-digit sack totals for the Miami Dolphins between the ages of 31 and 33. In 2005 when he was 31 years old, Taylor recorded a career-high 74 tackles. A year later, he was voted the Associated Press Defensive Player of the Year and named a consensus All-Pro.

Another positive for Suh is his durability. According to Birkett, he's never missed a practice due to injury:

Nam Y. Huh/Associated Press

"Suh has never missed an NFL game because of injury, and when he was sent home from the facility in December because of the flu, it's believed to have been the first time he missed practice since he was suspended two games in the fall of 2011."

An injury history can scare teams when it comes to offering players new contracts. In Suh's case, it simply hasn't been an issue to this point in his career, and it's another reason why he deserves to earn top dollar.

Suh is the most important player on defense for the Detroit Lions. The success of the unit in 2015 could hinge on whether he returns to the team. Due to his dominance, it can be expected that there will be a host of teams desperate to lure his signature if the defensive tackle hits the market on March 10.

The Lions aren't far away from competing for championships. They must continue their progress, but allowing Suh to depart would be a serious setback for them and would make the task of winning the NFC North for the first time that much tougher.

If he walks, they will need to spend the money wisely. Signing a talented defensive tackle such as Denver's Terrance Knighton would be an attractive option, if he reaches free agency. There is a deep pool of prospects in this year's draft, too: Florida State's Eddie Goldman, Ohio State's Michael Bennett and Iowa's Carl Davis would all fit Teryl Austin's system and could be available for the Lions in the opening two rounds.

The Detroit Lions' 11-5 record last season was their best since 1991. To repeat the success in 2015, they must find a way to retain the services of Ndamukong Suh. To do that, he will have to become the highest-paid defensive player in the NFL.