Detroit Lions could replace Ndamukong Suh with Terrance Knighton

By Josh Hill | Feb 7, 2015

Jan 11, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos defensive tackle Terrance Knighton (98) reacts to a play during the first quarter of the 2014 AFC Divisional playoff football game against the Indianapolis Colts at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /

The Detroit Lions are looking at the very real possibility of losing Ndamukong Suh to free agency, but they have a backup plan in place.

Ndamukong Suh is the top free agent entering this offseason, as he’s a Pro Bowl defensive tackle capable of changing a game and the way an offense approaches a defense. That’s why he seems to be a natural fit for the Seattle Seahawks, who boast the NFL’s best defensive unit and would be unfathomably unstoppable with Suh up front.

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But while football nerds joygasm over the idea of the Seahawks defense getting even better, the Detroit Lions are in a position where they need to either sign Suh or fin his replacement. Locating a replacement for the best defensive tackle in the NFL is an impossible task, but there’s name that Lions fans might want to familiarize themselves with soon.

According to ESPN.com Lions beat writer Michael Rothstein, if Detroit loses Ndamukong Suh to a team like the Oakland Raiders, Seattle Seahawks — or basically anyone — then they could pursue Broncos free agent Terrance Knighton.

"If Suh departs, Detroit has a lot of money to make some big moves and it wouldn’t shock me if the Lions went after a high-profile defensive tackle like Terrance Knighton from Denver. He would help to fill the void left by Suh, especially if the Lions were able to pair him with a highly rated rookie or another free-agent signing."

Replacing Suh is impossible, as you can’t take the best defensive tackle in the game and simply find someone else to pay his position. But Knighton isn’t a bad option to ease the pain of losing Suh as he’s a top their defensive lineman and one who could grow exponentially in the Lions system.

Of course, this is all assuming that Suh is lost in the offseason, as the Lions still have a chance to bring him back and could very well have him on their roster for the long haul if things work out in their favor.

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