Are the Chargers a dark horse for Ndamukong Suh?

The Los Angeles Chargers enter the 2018 NFL off-season with one glaring need, a run-stopping defensive tackle. Enter Ndamukong Suh.

For the most part, the Los Angeles Chargers are heading into the off-season in a much better place than previous years. The offensive line is solid, the weapons around Philip Rivers are great, the secondary was phenomenal and the pass-rush efforts was one of the best in the league.

Young standouts Melvin Ingram, Joey Bosa and Casey Hayward were all huge role players in making the Chargers defense respectable again. This netted Hayward a contract extension.

There are some areas to address in this newfound defense, though. Safety Tre Boston was signed to a one-year deal prior to 2017 and made the most of his opportunity. With Boston’s one-year deal expired, the Chargers are facing a big loss right in the face.

However, it is still not the loss of Boston that is the most significant absence on defense; it is the lack of a run-stopping defense. Although the Chargers got better as the season went on, Los Angeles allowed 131.1 rushing yards per game — the second-worst in the NFL.

There were two glaring holes in the defense that caused this, middle linebacker and defensive tackle. The Chargers were better when Denzel Perryman played in the middle, however, he played in just seven games last season.

Corey Liuget is a solid defensive tackle and Brandon Mebane did what he was asked. However, both guys are better at rushing the passer, as was Bosa and Ingram. Suddenly, the same pass-rush that was so devastating was so fickle against the run.

The need for a hard-nosed defensive tackle is evident, the perfect match is ready in Ndamukong Suh.

The Miami Dolphins are reportedly going to release Suh on Wednesday. By the time you read this, it may have already happened. Of the potential fits for Suh, the Chargers are not a popular choice. The Chargers are not one of the seven best fits for Suh in ESPN’s mind. They are a dark horse.

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There are financial questions around Suh, I get that. Suh is still one of the best in the game at his position and his potential contract demands could be too over-barring for LA, it is understandable.

However, if the Chargers can make it work financially, there really is no reason to not pursue the All-Pro defensive tackle. Suh brings much-needed defensive pressure on the interior of the line alongside Liuget and looks to be a force in the running game. Although his strengths is getting to the passer, he definitely is an improvement from Mebane.

Plus, the Chargers’ 4-3 defensive scheme fits Suh’s play style perfectly. For Suh himself, LA may be the most intriguing, realistic option to go to. Suh is only going to play up to his peers; on the Chargers defensive line, Suh will have less emphasis on him and can return to his All-Pro ways.

Plus, this would create a domino effect that would, in turn, allow the Chargers to draft a middle linebacker in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft. LA would essentially be knocking out two birds with one stone.

Next: Tweaking the Chargers' 2017 Draft

Ultimately, the finances involved may be what holds the Chargers back from pursuing Suh. However, if they do want to pursue him, the case for him in LA is strong.

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