Why pay Ndamukong Suh 100 million when you can pay Darnell Dockett way less?
The next few days in the NFL will be interesting, especially after the Arizona Cardinals released Darnell Dockett yesterday. The defensive tackle class in not that great in free agency outside of Ndamukong Suh, but now teams will be able to pick up a very solid option in Darnell Dockett.
Dockett may be aging but he is still considered on of the best defensive tackles in the NFL. He will find out if others think he’s worth in the next few days. The Cardinals released the defensive tackle on Friday, which ended his 11-year tenure with the franchise that drafted him back in 2004. Arizona didn’t think he was worth his $6.8 million salary or the $9.8 million cap hit that came with it, but 6.8 million is not that bad for a very solid defensive tackle.
Dockett brings passion to the defensive line and still commands double teams. While he is coming off an injury, the former Florida State Seminole who is very vocal could be an amazing fit for the Raiders. The Raiders want to bring in a Ndamukong Suh, but he might not hit the market. If the Raiders were to pick up Dockett over Suh, they would have more money to address their other needs. Dockett has the Raiders mentality and if he is 100 percent healthy, 6.8 million is not bad for a guy that will demand a double team in the middle of the field. I know Dockett has had problems with the Raiders in the past, holding up a sign during a game, but the man is a passionate man. If you are loyal to him, I am sure you would gain loyalty.
Another team to keep an eye on is the Cleveland Browns, they have a gaping hole on their defensive line and Dockett could fill that void quickly. While Suh is only 28 years old, he will demand a 100 million dollar deal. If you are looking at it from an analytic stand point, Dockett might be more of a risk, but from a money/production rate, it might be a better risk to sign Dockett.
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