The Raiders have made a bevy of additions at defensive tackle. Firstly, they added former Chicago Bear, Bilal Nichols. Likely to be a starter, they added both Vernon Butler and Andrew Billings as well for depth. Vegas would then draft two more defensive tackles in the form of Matthew Butler and Neil Farrell Jr. Alas, the Raiders may still have work to do at the position. After all the additions made, they currently lack a pass rusher on the inside. With elite rushers on the edge, a veteran pass rusher on the inside may be the missing piece for the defense. That’s where Ndamukong Suh comes in.
During the offseason, the Raiders made it a point to fix holes all across their roster. With trades for Davante Adams and Rock Ya-Sin, they made big additions at both wide receiver and cornerback. All things considered, after two preseason games, maybe one more big addition should be in order.
Should the Las Vegas Raiders sign Ndamukong Suh?
Over the last decade, very few defensive players have been more impactful than Suh. A first-round pick of the Detroit Lions, he has been nothing short of elite throughout his career. However, at 35 years old, the three-time All-Pro is currently a free agent.
Despite his advanced age, Suh has not missed a game over his last three seasons in Tampa Bay. In fact, he has only missed two games in his entire career. With 14.5 sacks and 46 QB hits over the last three years, he still has plenty of juice as a pass rusher.
For Las Vegas, he would immediately slot in as a starter across from run-stopping extraordinaire Jonathan Hankins. Also, his 12 years of experience could be very helpful as he works with the young players the Raiders drafted at the position.
Finally, after a lengthy stay on the free agent market, Suh is unlikely to be an expensive addition. With a one-year deal worth a few million, the Raiders could add a potential difference maker to their defense.
In 2022, the Raiders have put themselves in a position to compete in the AFC. As such, adding veterans on one-year deals to fill holes should be at the top of their to-do list. In the case of Suh, we have a situation that could benefit both sides. The Raiders need defensive tackle talent, and Suh will be able to play meaningful football at the end of his career. Las Vegas should get a deal done.
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*Top Photo: Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
