Ndamukong Suh Should Be On Cleveland’s Radar
Photo Credit: Kirby Lee via USA TODAY Sports
After decades of mediocrity I finally get to type this sentence: The time is now for the Cleveland Browns to go all-in. As a long-suffering fan it feels odd to think in those terms, but I truly believe it to be the case.
After trading for star quarterback Deshaun Watson and giving him a historic deal a year ago, the Browns have an opportunity to adapt a win-at-all-costs type of situation and they should bring the pieces together in bring home their first Lombardi Trophy in franchise history.
That list of potential pieces should prominently feature former All-Pro and Defensive Rookie of the Year Ndamukong Suh.
Even in a limited role, Suh could help shore up the middle of the line. The Super Bowl champion could provide a veteran presence at the defensive tackle position to work alongside the rest of the star power that the Browns have brought in recently. Suh is approaching the end of his career but throughout his 13 seasons, he’s always been a productive force.
Suh made a name for himself as a rookie, garnering top honors on the defensive side while also earning All-Pro accolades in just his first season in the league. He also earned a Pro Bowl nod after recording 66 combined tackles, 10 sacks, 13 tackles for a loss, and 17 quarterback hits. To top it all off, Suh tallied an interception, forced a fumble, and then recovered it before taking it for a touchdown.
It was an extraordinary way to start off the beginning of his career in Detroit.
After a suboptimal second season in the league, Suh earned All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors the next three seasons before bolting for the Miami Dolphins.
He turned in his best season in Miami in 2016 when he recorded five sacks, 72 combined tackles, 11 tackles for a loss, and 17 quarterback hits. Although his stats may have slipped at times after his departure from Detroit, Suh has consistently shown the ability to clog up the line of scrimmage and create chaos, allowing teammates to get to the quarterback.
The former Nebraska Cornhusker showcased that during the 2019 season when he was playing for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Suh deflected four passes, recovered four fumbles, and scored two touchdowns. He also tallied 2.5 sacks, 41 combined tackles, seven tackles for a loss, and 14 quarterback hits.
Although he’s not up to his former form — Suh played in eight games for the Philadelphia Eagles this past season and recorded one sack 10 combined tackles and two quarterback hits — he doesn’t necessarily need to be at his best because of the talent that the Browns already have in the defensive line room.
Defensive end Myles Garrett has turned himself into one of the best players in the league throughout his career but he was one of the only producers on the Browns defensive line last season. He tallied 16 sacks and 60 combined tackles. The next-most productive lineman was Taven Bryan, who is no longer on the Browns’ roster.
General Manager Andrew Berry and head coach Kevin Stefanksi went to work this offseason though, adding big-name defensive linemen like Za’Darius Smith and Dalvin Tomlinson.
During his only season in Minnesota last year, Smith tallied nine sacks and 43 combined tackles while deflecting a career-high five passes and recording one forced fumble. But, during the 2019 and 2020 seasons, Smith combined for 26 sacks, and recorded a career-high 13.5 in 2019. Adding his presence opposite of Garrett and the Browns have a bonafide 1-2 punch.
Adding Tomlinson to the mix brings the pair back together after spending 2022 together in Minnesota. At 6’3”, 325 lbs., Tomlinson will eat up space in the middle and slow down opponents’ run games, but he’s also consistent in being able to take down ball carriers.
During his two years in Minnesota, Tomlinson tallied five sacks and 81 combined tackles to go with two pass deflections, a forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries. In his seven-year career, he’s tallied 288 tackles and 13 sacks. He’ll be a solid addition to the middle of Cleveland’s defensive line and he can take a majority of the snaps alongside guys like Jordan Elliott, Perrion Winfrey, and third-round draft pick Siaki Ika, who is one of Cleveland’s biggest linemen at 6’4”, 358 lbs.
With a mixture of size, youth, and athleticism across the defensive line, Suh would fit in perfectly with the Browns and would provide veteran mentorship and leadership for the younger players. It’s no secret Suh put himself through the wringer over the course of his career as he received discipline for several different things, including stomping on former Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
Suh grew up as his career went on and seemed to mellow out over the past few years as he’s stayed out of trouble with the league. So he may have a message to pass on to the younger players along with the skills that he brings.
There are plenty of benefits that would come along with signing Suh this late in his career. Along with his play, which could be extremely beneficial with the talent that the Browns would have around him, Suh could help bring along the next generation of Browns defensive linemen.
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