Could Colts Have Chance? Lions Reportedly Won’t Franchise Tag Suh

If the Indianapolis Colts are serious about possibly pursuing Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, their odds may have significantly improved today. According to Detroit Lions senior writer Tim Twentyman, the Lions will not franchise tag Suh, which was projected to be around a $26.9 million cap hit for their dominant defensive lineman:

However, as noted by Twentyman, the team still has until March 10 to re-sign Suh to a lucrative long-term contract that will presumably make him the highest paid defensive player in NFL history, topping J.J. Watt. However, if a long-term agreement cannot be reached, then it likely spells “Doomsday” for Detroit, and that’s when a contending team like the Indianapolis Colts with ample cap space could get seriously involved:

While it’s still likely a longshot that Suh ever wears a Colts uniform (my guess is he still doesn’t make it out of Motown), whatever unlikely odds the Colts originally had did just get a lot better today.

Dec 21, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh (90) against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. The Lions defeated the Bears 20-14. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

Still, one has to wonder whether signing someone like Suh, who will likely command $13.5-15 million annually would be in the best interests of the Colts organization long-term, with Andrew Luck‘s mega-contract looming.

The Colts will have to field a competitive roster overall and having 25% of your cap tied up into two players for the long-term isn’t necessarily ideal. From a technique perspective, Suh also is a bit of an uncertainty as he’s a natural 4-3 defensive tackle by trade, yet the Colts run a 3-4 defensive scheme. As such, there’s still some legitimate reasons why it doesn’t make sense. 

However, if the Colts are going to overpay, it would make sense that it would be on one of the NFL’s truly great players and difference-makers like Suh. Still only age 28, Suh is probably the best defensive lineman in football not named J.J. Watt. He’s tough and mean with a little nastiness in between and would theoretically provide the Colts with a dominating force along their defensive line. Someone that could consistently command a double team and make opposing offenses account for at all times. The Colts really haven’t had that type of player since former pass rushing great Dwight Freeney was in his prime:

Last year, NFL fans saw how shutdown cornerback, and one of the NFL’s truly elite players in Darrelle Revis totally transformed the New England Patriots defense. Well, Suh could have that type of impact with the Colts defense next season and maybe even more so. 

Dec 21, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh (90) against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. The Lions defeated the Bears 20-14. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports