Ndamukong Suh's latest free-agent visit: the Rams
Ndamukong Suh, who is entering the week as the top available player in NFL free agency, will visit the Los Angeles Rams on Tuesday in Thousand Oaks, California, he told Yahoo Sports.
The trip follows weekend visits with the New Orleans Saints and Tennessee Titans. Much like Tennessee and New Orleans, the Rams can sell an elite defensive line, featuring last season’s Defensive Player of the Year in fellow defensive tackle Aaron Donald. Unlike those two teams though, they really do not have a hole or a need in the middle of their line, which means even more help for Suh, should he sign there.
Ndamukong Suh tells me that his visits w/both the #Saints and #Titans went well. While he has yet to speak w/Drew Brees, he really enjoyed Sean Payton and DC Dennis Allen. Also realizes how much TENN has to offer as a playoff team w/a formidable D-Line. Both teams were impressive
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) March 19, 2018
The Rams, who won the NFC West last season, also boast the likes of Wade Phillips, a highly respected defensive coordinator with a wealth of experience and the full support of head coach Sean McVay. Phillips runs a 3-4 defense – different from the 4-3 in which Suh has excelled – but it’s one that has similar gap scheme as a 4-3. In other words, the 6-foot-4, 305 pound Suh can still create havoc on the quarterback and an opponent’s backfield.
With the aid of Donald and the versatile Michael Brockers, the Rams, who will ultimately have about $25 million in salary-cap space, offer a strong opportunity for individual and team success. Remember too, this was an offense captained by McVay featuring the dominant duo of Pro Bowl quarterback Jared Goff and First-Team All-Pro running back Todd Gurley II. The results were staggering: The Rams led the league in points per game (29.9)
To be sure, money will play a role in who lands Suh. The Seattle Seahawks and Dallas Cowboys – who are also interested – have to be creative about offering Suh a contract. In Seattle’s case, with defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson having signed with Minnesota, the team has more money available. But culture also matters. So, too, does the opportunity to legitimately contend for a Super Bowl, which he didn’t have in either Detroit or Miami.
Few, if any, have been more productive or durable than the 31-year-old Suh. From 2010 to 2017, the former No. 2 overall pick of the Detroit Lions has amassed 51.5 sacks, second only to Geno Atkins for the most among defensive tackles. He has played at least 800 snaps in seven of his eight professional seasons.
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Jordan Schultz is an NFL, NBA and NCAAB insider/analyst for Yahoo Sports.
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