Three Defensive Tackles Lions Could Target In Free Agency If They Do Not Re-Sign Suh
By Ashley Dunkak
@AshleyDunkak
CBS DETROIT - The Detroit Lions want to keep All-Pro defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh. Any team would. If he wants to go and the Lions do not want to use the franchise tag, however, they will have no choice but to look at other options.
ESPN reports that the Lions are currently the favorite to sign Suh but mentions that could change if Detroit cannot lock Suh up before other teams come knocking. In that case, Detroit could end up with one - or two - of the next best defensive tackles on the market.
- Stephen Paea, Chicago Bears - Paea enjoyed a breakout year in 2014, turning in six sacks and forcing two fumbles. He was third among defensive tackles with 11 quarterback hits and fifth with 31 quarterback hurries, per Pro Football Focus. A second-round pick in 2011, Paea had battled injuries earlier in his career but stayed healthy and played all 16 games in 2014, showing off his full potential. If the Lions cannot corral Suh, Paea could be a great consolation prize.
- Terrance Knighton, Denver Broncos - Nicknamed "Pot Roast" for his massive frame, Knighton has played all 16 games in five of his six seasons, proving extremely durable. A report emerged recently, however, that the Broncos fined him around $300,000 over the past few years for repeatedly coming up overweight. In 2014, however, Knighton helped Denver limit opponents to 79.8 rushing yards per game, fewer than any team except Detroit.
- Nick Fairley, Detroit Lions - The team could have picked up his fifth-year option before the 2014 but declined because of questions about his work ethic and his weight, which tended to yo-yo. Motivated by that move and a temporary demotion in the preseason, Fairley performed well before he suffered a knee injury in Week 8 against the Atlanta Falcons. Lions general manager Martin Mayhew said after the season that while he was "as confident as I can be" that problems with work ethic and weight were in Fairley's past, but he also said he did not regret declining to pick up Fairley's option.
After Suh, those three -- Paea, Knighton and Fairley -- are probably the next most desirable options at defensive tackle. The Lions could also bring back C.J. Mosley or Andre Fluellen. Other defensive tackles who could hit free agency this offseason include Dan Williams of the Arizona Cardinals and Jared Odrick of the Miami Dolphins.
Free agents can sign with new teams on March 10, the day that 2014 contracts expire. The representatives of free agents can begin negotiating with other teams on March 7.
If the Lions do not re-sign any of their own free agent defensive tackles, the only player at that position still on the roster from the 2014 season will be Caraun Reid, whom the Lions drafted in the fifth round last year.
