HERE’S LOOKIN’ AT SUH The Jets are interested in signing free-agent defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, who is most known for his dangerous and dirty plays.
Jets make move on troubled but talented defensive tackle
The Jets are on the prowl for one of the biggest remaining free agents — figuratively and literally — in the NFL.
The team is very interested in signing free agent defensive end Ndamukong Suh, a source confirmed. Suh is the 6-foot-4, 307pound defensive line force who has been first-team All-Pro three times and made five Pro Bowls.
Yahoo Sports reported Friday that Suh said the Jets have emerged as a serious contender. Yahoo also reported the Jets have made the biggest offer to Suh. He has yet to visit the Jets, but coach Todd Bowles has told Suh how he envisions using him, according to the report.
Suh has visited the Titans, Rams and Saints since the Dolphins released him last week.
It is surprising the Jets would target the 31-year-old Suh based off of their approach to free agency so far. They have signed players mainly between the ages of 25-28 outside of quarterback Josh McCown. Other than cornerback Trumaine Johnson, the contracts have been more team friendly than what one would expect Suh to command.
Bowles could be the driving force behind the pursuit of Suh. He probably envisions him immediately upgrading his defensive line, which has lost Sheldon Richardson and Muhammad Wilkerson in the past year.
While Suh’s sack numbers have decreased recently, he still is an incredibly disruptive player. He had 30 quarterback hurries last year and 4.5 sacks.
Pro Football Focus graded him as the fifth best interior lineman last year. He ranked second with a 92.4 grade against the run, trailing only Giants run-stuffer Damon Harrison.
Suh is a versatile player who can move all over the defensive line. Bowles could use him in the traditional 3-4 defensive end role or slide him inside in a four-man front. He would be like a chess piece for the defensive-minded Bowles to use.
Bowles has always spoken highly of Suh.
“We try to stay away from him a lot,” Bowles said last season. “You have to put two bodies on him just to try and slow him down a little bit. I don’t think anybody ever stops him.”
The Dolphins parted ways with Suh last week. He spent three years in Miami after signing a six-year, $114 million contract with the team in 2015. He spent his first five seasons with the Lions, who selected him No. 2 overall in 2010. While Suh’s ability on the field is indisputable, he does come with some baggage. He has a reputation as one of the dirtiest players in football and had seven penalties last year.
There are also questions about Suh’s attitude. He has not always been seen as a team guy. The Jets were very proud of their chemistry last season. Despite winning just five games, they felt like they were building something with a good, young core. Suh would not fit that mold.
It will also be interesting to see what kind of contract Suh commands. The Jets still have more than $30 million in salary cap space, so they can afford him. It might just be a question of how long they want to commit to him and what kind of structure the contract would have.
➤ The Jets reached a deal with Andre Roberts, a source confirmed Friday. Roberts is a wide receiver, but the Jets most likely want him for his return ability.
He had 38 kickoff returns and 27 punt returns last year for the Falcons. He averaged 22.6 yards per kick return and 7.4 yards per punt return. Two years ago, he had two punt returns for a touchdown for the Lions.
The Jets suffered last year in the return game, averaging a leagueworst 4.5 yards per punt return.