NFL Trade Machine: Ndamukong Suh To Denver Broncos
By Erik Lambert
Oct 19, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh (90) during the first quarter against the New Orleans Saints at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
Ndamukong Suh has been on the NFL trade radar for weeks. Could he become an eleventh hour signing for the Denver Broncos?
Detroit Lions face huge salary cap issues with Suh
Several reasons go into the Suh trade talk. First, he’s a free agent in 2015 and all signs point to him leaving the Motor City for a new home. Obviously the Lions don’t want to let such a valuable asset go without at least getting something in return. Besides, even if they wanted to franchise tag him, the salary cap hit would be enormous. So if they want to get anything at all, it will have to be before the trade deadline expires. The problem is a number of team may not want take a chance on Suh’s notoriously volatile personality. Still, it doesn’t hurt to ask around.
Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware teamed with Suh would be unfair
One team that might want to at least consider making a move is the Denver Broncos. Why? Granted, they don’t exactly need more help on defense. They’re playing pretty well on that side of the ball anyway. Besides, they also have Peyton Manning and lead the NFL in wins. Still, can one imagine what the Broncos would become if they landed Ndamukong Suh up front, even if it’s for half a season?
Picture him pass rushing up the middle with Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware on the outside. It would be worth the salary cap crunch Denver would have to go through to make it happen because adding Suh to an already contending roster makes them overwhelming Super Bowl favorites. One can talk about team chemistry and the like, but the bottom line is Suh alters game plans. There aren’t many defensive linemen like that in the NFL. Cap obstacles aside, this is a deal that is worth exploring even at the cost of the money and the draft pick(s).