Cameron Wolfe, ESPN Staff Writer 6y

With Titans clearing DL room, is a Ndamukong Suh move next?

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The first wave of free agency is done, but there are still some marquee names on the market, starting with former Miami Dolphins defensive lineman Ndamukong Suh.

The Tennessee Titans are among multiple teams that have interest in Suh, who visited the New Orleans Saints earlier this weekend. Suh arrived in Nashville Saturday evening, met with the Titans for a late dinner and he's visiting the Titans facilities on Sunday, a source said.

"Super excited about the opportunity down there. Lots to think about," Suh said in a video leaving New Orleans and headed to Nashville Saturday. "And on to the next on one the tour."

Titans general manager Jon Robinson isn't afraid to make splashes. He's known for being aggressive in trades, and he started free agency by signing star cornerback Malcolm Butler and explosive running back Dion Lewis. Robinson is focused on pushing the Titans to become a championship roster, but he's been adamant in building the right culture to do so. The latter will be the most important element when determining if Suh-to-Tennessee is a serious possibility.

The Suh questions certainly have ramped up over the past couple of days, as the Titans released starting nose tackle Sylvester Williams and reserve defensive lineman Karl Klug this weekend.

It's possible the Williams and Klug moves had nothing to do with the 31-year-old Suh. Williams and Klug didn't have strong 2017 seasons, and both were due sizable roster bonuses or guarantees if they were still on the roster in 2018.

The Titans defensive line features a Pro Bowl defensive end in Jurrell Casey and a versatile, run-stuffing defensive end in DaQuan Jones, who also can play nose tackle. Reserves Austin Johnson, David King and Antwaun Woods provide some depth options.

But it seems likely the Titans will add another defensive lineman. Defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins would make sense after he was released by the Indianapolis Colts on Saturday. Hankins played under Titans head coach Mike Vrabel at Ohio State. Connections are important.

Casey is already campaigning for a Suh addition. The combination of Casey and Suh would give offensive coordinators nightmares.

Titans defensive line coach Terrell Williams might be a key player here. Williams was Suh's position coach for his three seasons in Miami. Williams doesn't just like Suh -- he loves him.

“The thing about Suh that people don’t realize is he’s an elite player, but he’s got elite intelligence and his work ethic is elite off the charts,” Williams told ESPN in 2015. “That’s what makes the guy great. That’s what makes him special. Not just great player. Elite intelligence, elite work ethic. I love the guy.”

That's high praise from an important man in this decision. He also should be able to provide some insight into Suh's character. The five-time Pro Bowler has drawn criticism for his questionable on-field behavior, which has led to fines and suspensions.

If Suh impresses Robinson and Vrabel enough for the two to feel comfortable about how he'd fit in the team culture, and that's certainly a significant if, then the remaining hurdles would be money and scheme fit.

The Titans have the salary-cap room, even before they released Williams and Klug, to compete with what Suh wants to be paid. They just have to determine whether it's worth the eight-figure annual salary Suh likely will demand and if their number can top several other suitors, such as New Orleans, which Suh visited Friday and Saturday.

As for scheme, the 6-foot-4, 305 pound-Suh has played in a 4-3 throughout his NFL career. The Titans will run a 3-4 defense, but they promised there will be multiple fronts in the scheme. Former NFL linebacker Bart Scott once said he believed Suh would be unstoppable as a 3-4 defensive end, which likely would be his fit in Tennessee while possibly moving inside on passing downs.

Hankins is a more traditional 3-4 nose tackle, and he'll cost less than Suh since the latter is a better player and pass-rusher.

A move for Suh would be another example of the Titans being aggressive hoping to catch the New England Patriots atop the AFC.

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