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Report: Ndamukong Suh looking to become NFL's highest-paid defensive player

After the Detroit Lions opted against using the franchise tag prior Monday's deadline, star defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh is set to cash in when he hits the free-agent market.

Long having established himself as one of the league's most dominant players, Suh is looking to become the NFL's highest-paid defender in terms of both average salary and guaranteed money, according to Dave Birkett of The Detroit Free Press.

Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt currently holds the top spot among defensive players – he signed a six-year, $100-million extension with $51.876 million in guaranteed money in September – and his contract figures to be Suh's negotiating point heading into free agency.

While the argument could be made for either player in a debate about their on-field abilities, the nature of the free-agent market should ensure that the numbers on Suh's contract exceed that of Watt's by all accounts.

Several teams are already said to be interested in the 28-year-old thus far and it would be no surprise to see many more enter the bidding process when free agency officially gets underway.

Suh's impact on the interior defensive front played a key role in the Lions fielding one of the NFL's best defenses in 2014. Whether it's with Detroit or another club, he's now in line to be rewarded with a record-setting long-term deal.

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