The New England Patriots are about as complete of a team as they come and the organization has a keen eye for adding talent as well as deciding when to move on from certain players. After losing star defensive Trey Flowers to the Detroit Lions in free agency, the Patriots are in the market for a pass rusher to fill Flowers' void he left behind.
One big name that is still waiting to find a team for next season is Ndamukong Suh. While there has been interest from the Los Angeles Rams in re-signing Suh for next season, time is likely running out for them. Suh didn't have his best statistical season by any means in 2018, but he opened up a lot of space for this past season's Defensive Player of the Year, Aaron Donald.
Not only did Donald have himself a career season in sacks with 20.5, but he was a game-wrecker in every game due to the fact that teams had to account for Suh as well. This was the first season Donald was able to break free from double-teams and really take it to opposing quarterbacks.
Suh's presence on the defensive line is something that requires extra game-planning, but one of his assets at this point in his career is not something he is personally doing. Since his first few seasons with the Detroit Lions, Suh's sack totals have been down. However, other teammates over the years have seen a boost in production due to his presence. Former teammates Ezekiel Ansah and Cameron Wake benefitted from playing alongside Suh, seeing multiple double-digit sack seasons in the process.
The Patriots could see a similar situation arise next season if they seek Suh out and bring him on board with the team. Defensive lineman Deatrich Wise Jr. and linebacker Kyle Van Noy could find themselves benefitting from having Suh alongside them next season.
If the Patriots don't want to risk playing against Suh in another Super Bowl, they could add him to their roster for next season and cross that concern off their list. The Patriots are known for making sneaky good roster moves, and adding Suh would surely fall under that category. It's likely Suh has heard from several teams, and while he could join any inquiring team, he surely would prefer a contender like the Patriots.
Suh would be a fantastic fit with New England and could be a big part of their usual top-10 defense they have every season. Head coach Bill Belichick is a brilliant defensive-minded coach, and he knows what it takes to have a championship caliber defensive unit. Suh would fit the mold well in New England.
Suh would likely seek a solid payday, similar to the $14 million the Rams paid him in 2018. While the Patriots don't normally sign big name players and never break the bank in free agency, this could be a move to break their tendencies. The free agent market has seen plenty of players come and go, but Suh is perhaps the biggest name and difference maker for any team hoping to add a dominant pass rusher.
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