Free Agents, Retirement, Rams and a Seahawk
- Mar 22, 2018
- 3 min read
There are still notable free agents without teams, here we will look at three of them and where I see each of them landing.
Ndamukong Suh, Defensive Tackle
Potential Landing Spot: LA Rams
Ndamukong Suh is one of those rare highly ranked NFL players that happen to be unsigned so late on into the free agency window. Since being released by the Miami Dolphins, just after free agency opened, he has schedule and visited a number of teams, so there is no question he is in demand.
When he signed with Miami 3 years ago, he was considered a mercenary, meaning people believed he simply followed the money and a big pot it was. Suh signed a 6-year deal, worth $114,37,000 with $25,000,000 signing bonus and an annual average salary of just over $19,000,000. That deal made Suh the highest paid defensive player in NFL history. But, 3 seasons into that historic marriage, Miami released Suh citing “a culture change” which was the same reason given at the time of Jay Ajayi’s trade to the Eagles mid-season in 2017.
Suh has visited three teams in total, New Orleans Saints, Tennessee Titans and the Los Angeles Rams and had a fourth visit scheduled with the Oakland Raiders which he subsequently cancelled to return home. There are strong arguments for each of these teams to land Suh, however I believe he will land with the Los Angeles Rams.
The Rams have a beast in Aaron Donald, and the thought of Donald and Suh on the same defensive line must already be putting fear into any quarterback who is scheduled to go up against the Rams in 2018. It’s a fit the Rams like, and its one that will propel their defence into the most notable defences in the league if this move happens.
It’s a telling tale that after his visit to the Rams that he cancelled his Raiders trip. Does that mean the Rams won him over both with what they can offer as well as financially? That is yet to be seen, but what I do know is, I’m selfishly hoping he does sign on the dotted line in LA, because who wouldn’t want to see that defence wreak utter havoc every week.
Terrelle Pryor, Wide Receiver
Potential Landing Spot: Seattle Seahawks
Pryor has been courted by a number of teams, notably the Jets, Seahawks and 49ers, however he seems to of narrowed it down to two teams, the Jets and Seahawks. I believe we will see Pryor go to the Seahawks.
The Seattle Seahawks are in the market for a standout wide receiver and the consensus is that Terrelle Pryor could be that receiver.
He is exactly the type of receiver Pete Carroll likes, a big bodied, physical receiver who effectively could replace Jimmy Graham as Wilson’s red zone target. The one issue that surrounds Pryor is his 2017 ankle injury sustained in the second week, that saw him undergo surgery in November. Providing he is back to himself once the 2018 season starts, we could see the 2016 Pryor who shone bright for the Browns. During that season he caught 77 balls for 1007 yards and 4 touchdowns. He was also consistent for the Browns, and that is something that coaches will be looking closely at when assessing Pryor.
In the next week or so I feel we may see Pryor sign with the Seahawks and given that he visited them on the 21st, and was welcomed by QB, Russell Wilson, it would appear that at least someone wants him there.
Matellus Bennett, Tight End
Possible Landing Spot: Retirement
So, this one is a little different than the others in that out of the two seemingly possible scenarios here, either returning to the Patriots or retirement, I believe there is one clear cut route.
Based on the way Martellus has spoken over the last few weeks, it’s clear his head is not on the football field. 10 seasons in the NFL have taken their toll both physically and mentally. During an appearance on the Rich Eisen show, he had this to say:
After all, footballers just want to “smoke weed, play video games and eat cereal” in the offseason, meaning he won’t be very busy which should aid his decision.
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