The Browns Aren't Interested In Ndamukong Suh, But They Should Be

Despite conflicting reports on Wednesday, the Cleveland Browns are not interested in veteran free agent defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh.

But they should be.

The 35 year-old free agent is reportedly gaining interest from the Minnesota Vikings and the Las Vegas Raiders, but neither of those teams will likely compete for anything serious in 2022.

Depending on a looming Deshaun Watson suspension, the Browns could be a team just a few pieces away from a legitimate Super Bowl contender.

Looking at this current Browns roster, it does not have many holes. Perhaps adding a free agent, sure-handed No. 2 wideout could prove beneficial, but the hope is that a superstar QB like Watson can elevate the play of mid-tier players such as Donovan Peoples-Jones and Anthony Schwartz.

That leaves us with a need at defensive tackle.

Jordan Elliott and Taven Bryant are currently the Browns projected starters at interior defensive tackles, sandwiched between Myles Garrett and Jadeveon Clowney on each side.

Elliott, who has a lot of fans in the building and is just 24 years old, could prove to be a breakout Andrew Berry draft pick from the 2020 NFL Draft. Bryant, despite having some promise, didn't even start a single game for the 3-14 Jacksonville Jaguars.

Rightfully so, this Browns regime values developing from within, and giving the reigns to young talent. They draft young players and sign young players, historically somewhat ignoring the defensive tackle position as a whole.

The depth at iDL is very inexperienced for the Browns as well. Ohio State's Tommy Togiai is heading into Year 2, but was oftentimes inactive on game days last season. Perrion Winfrey took the hearts of Cleveland during some Instagram Live sessions, but it's unclear how much he can contribute right away.

Perhaps the Browns believe that Garrett and Clowney can elevate the play of any defensive tackles on the interior. Malik McDowell and Malik Jackson were good last year, but nothing to write home about. 

Suh would offer the Browns much more than a splashy big name.

Despite being 35 years-old, he is still contributing at a high level. Last season, he had six sacks, seven tackles for loss and appeared in all 17 games for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

"I might say he has a big case," former Bucs head coach Bruce Arians said of Suh's chances at the Pro Football Hall of Fame last year.

Adding another Super Bowl title, this time with the Cleveland Browns, would certainly help that case to get into Canton.