Post-Suh Lions lead NFL in dead cap money

Even though Ndamukong Suh is heading to the Dolphins, the Lions aren't done paying for one of the NFL's top defensive players.

As a result of restructures on Suh's rookie deal, he will count $9.7 million against the Lions' salary cap in 2015, a dead cap hit that would've been on the books regardless of whether Suh was in Detroit in 2015.

Suh's cap hit will be higher than any of the defensive players the Lions have under contract for 2015. With some of the top defensive tackles already off the market, that cap hit will most likely be higher than the average annual value of any players the team signs to replace Suh, who reportedly has agreed to a six-year deal worth up to $114 million and $60 million guaranteed with Miami.

The Lions also have a $3.9 million dead cap hit for cornerback Chris Houston, who was cut before the 2014 season just one year into his five-year, $25 million contract.

According to overthecap.com, the Lions have $17.4 million in dead money in 2015, more than any other NFL team. Four other teams have more than $10 million in dead cap charges with the Ravens second to the Lions at $13.1 million.

Before the rookie pay scale changed in 2011, the Lions signed Suh to a five-year, $64.5 million deal. The contract also had a voidable sixth year.

With Suh having the chance to void the sixth year, he could hit the market as a free agent in 2015, as he did. The year also gave the Lions a chance to spread out some of his cap hit, but the charge grew to $9.7 million after the team restructured Suh's contract to free cap space in 2012 and 2013.

The Lions have about $17 million to spend when free agency officially opens Tuesday.

jkatzenstein@detroitnews.com

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