INDIANAPOLIS — The Rams have a number of prominent players slated to become unrestricted free agents when the new league year hits on March 13, and one of them is defensive lineman Ndamukong Suh.
The former No. 2 overall pick out of Nebraska started all 16 regular-season games for Los Angeles, making 4.5 sacks, four tackles for loss, and 19 quarterback hits. But Suh was noticeably highly productive in the postseason, recording 1.5 sacks, two tackles for loss, and five quarterback hits in those three games. What doesn't show up in the stat sheet, though, is Suh's ability to fill gaps to help stop the run — which was part of why L.A. allowed only 98 yards rushing in the Divisional and Conference Championship rounds combined.
"He played really well, especially — I think the biggest thing you look at with Ndamukong is outstanding job in the playoffs where he was really affecting the game in a variety of ways," head coach Sean McVay said on Thursday. "You saw why he's been such a force throughout the course of his career."
So would the Rams like to have him back for 2019?
"He's definitely somebody that we're very interested in," McVay said. "I know he's going to get some interest around the league and as we kind of navigate through this process a lot of those decisions are still to be made. But I think he did a great job of making a case for why he's still such a special player in this league."
More than Suh's production, the sheer number of snaps Suh plays would make him hard to replace. He was on the field for 88 percent of Los Angeles' defensive reps in the regular season. Only linebacker Cory Littleton, safety John Johnson, cornerback Marcus Peters, defensive tackle Aaron Donald, and safety Lamarcus Joyner were on the field more.
But with general manager Les Snead saying L.A. does not plan to use the franchise tag, it seems highly likely that Suh will be able to hit the open market in a couple weeks. Still, while acknowledging the opportunities that come with the week of the NFL Combine, McVay reiterated the Rams' interest in potentially keeping the defensive lineman in the fold for 2019.
"I mean, we've talked to him but I think this time really provides a great opportunity for us to get a feel through the draft, some other different things," McVay said. "But he's certainly somebody, if we can work it out, we'd want to be able to have him back no doubt about it."
Check out photos of Los Angeles Rams players at the NFL Combine through the years. (Credit: Associated Press)
Florida State defensive back Jalen Ramsey runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Monday, Feb. 29, 2016. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Jared Goff - 2016
Washington defensive back Taylor Rapp runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Monday, March 4, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Michael Brockers - 2012
Florida State defensive back Jalen Ramsey runs the 40 yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine Monday, Feb. 29, 2016, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan)
Aaron Donald - 2014
Todd Gurley - 2015
Bryce Hager - 2015
Malcolm Brown - 2015
Rob Havenstein - 2015
Eastern Washington wide receiver Cooper Kupp runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine, Saturday, March 4, 2017 in Indianapolis. (AJ Mast via AP Images)
Troy Hill - 2015
Aaron Donald - 2014
Cory Littleton - 2016
Michael Brockers - 2012
Rob Havenstein - 2015
Bryce Hager - 2015
Josh Reynolds - 2017
Jared Goff -2016
Cory Littleton - 2016
Troy Hill - 2015
Robert Woods - 2013
Cooper Kupp - 2017
Josh Reynolds - 2017
Malcolm Brown - 2015
Gerald Everett - 2017
John Johnson - 2017
Cooper Kupp - 2017
John Johnson - 2017
Andrew Whitworth - 2006
University of Southern California defensive back Nickell Robey runs the 40-yard dash at the 2013 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, on February 26, 2013. (AP Photo/Ben Liebenberg)
Gerald Everett - 2017
Robert Woods - 2013
TCU offensive lineman Joe Noteboom runs a drill during the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine on Friday, March 2, 2018 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Oklahoma linebacker Ogbonnia Okoronkwo runs the 40-yard dash during the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine on Sunday, March 4, 2018 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Michigan State offensive lineman Brian Allen runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 2, 2018. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Oklahoma linebacker Ogbonnia Okoronkwo runs during a drill at the NFL football scouting combine on Sunday, March 4, 2018 in Indianapolis. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Oregon State University wide receiver Brandin Cooks at the 2014 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, on February 23, 2014. (AP Photo/Johnny Vy)
Virginia linebacker Micah Kiser runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 4, 2018. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
TCU offensive lineman Joe Noteboom runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 2, 2018. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Tennessee running back John Kelly runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine, Friday, March 2, 2018, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Oregon State wide receiver Brandin Cooks makes a catch as he runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, Feb. 23, 2014. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Virginia linebacker Micah Kiser (LB24) participates in a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Sunday, March 4, 2018 in Indianapolis. (AJ Mast via AP Images)
Maine offensive lineman Jamil Demby runs the 40-yard dash during the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 1, 2018 in Indianapolis. (Logan Bowles via AP)
Florida defensive lineman Dante Fowler participates in the broad jump during the 2015 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on Sunday, February 22, 2015 in Indianapolis, IN. (AP Photo/Ben Liebenberg)
Florida defensive lineman Dante Fowler runs a drill during the 2015 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on Sunday, February 22, 2015 in Indianapolis, IN. (AP Photo/Johnny Vy)
Michigan State offensive lineman Brian Allen participates in the vertical jump during the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine on Friday, March 2, 2018 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Tennessee running back John Kelly (RB19) participates in a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Friday, March 2, 2018 in Indianapolis. (AJ Mast via AP Images)
Michigan State offensive lineman Brian Allen runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 2, 2018. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Michigan State offensive lineman Brian Allen competes in the bench press at the 2018 NFL football scouting combine Thursday, March 1, 2018, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan)
Iowa offensive lineman Austin Blythe during the 40 yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine Friday, Feb. 26, 2016, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan)
Washington linebacker Cory Littleton runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, Feb. 28, 2016. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
California quarterback Jared Goff runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Florida defensive lineman Dante Fowler sticks his tongue out while stretching before drills at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2015. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Oklahoma linebacker Ogbonnia Okoronkwo at the NFL scouting Combine, Saturday, March 3, 2018, in Indianapolis. (Todd Rosenberg via AP)
TCU offensive lineman Joe Noteboom runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 2, 2018. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Oklahoma linebacker Ogbonnia Okoronkwo at the NFL scouting Combine, Saturday, March 3, 2018, in Indianapolis. (Todd Rosenberg via AP)
Iowa offensive lineman Austin Blythe runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, Feb. 26, 2016. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Tennessee running back John Kelly runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 2, 2018. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Florida defensive lineman Dante Fowler runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2015. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Florida State defensive back Jalen Ramsey runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine on Wednesday, March 2, 2016, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
TCU offensive lineman Joe Noteboom runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine, Friday, March 2, 2018, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Southern California receiver Robert Woods runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)
Iowa offensive lineman Austin Blythe, left, blocks North Dakota State offensive lineman Joe Haeg during a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, Feb. 26, 2016. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Oklahoma linebacker Ogbonnia Okoronkwo runs the 40-yard dash during the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine on Sunday, March 4, 2018 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Virginia linebacker Micah Kiser runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine, Sunday, March 4, 2018, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Southern California defensive back Nickell Robey runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2013. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)
Virginia linebacker Micah Kiser runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine, Sunday, March 4, 2018, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Eastern Washington wide receiver Cooper Kupp poses for a picture during the 2017 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on Friday, March 3, 2017 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Images taken of Eastern Washington wide receiver Cooper Kupp during the 2017 NFL Scouting Combine on Friday, March 3, 2017 in Indianapolis, IN. (Todd Rosenberg via AP)
LSU defensive lineman Michael Brockers looks on at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis on Monday, Feb. 27, 2012. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)
Southern California defensive back Nickell Robey runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2013. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)
California quarterback Jared Goff runs the 40 yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan)
University of Southern California wide receiver Robert Woods looks on at the 2013 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, on February 24, 2013. (AP Photo/Ben Liebenberg)
Eastern Washington wide receiver Cooper Kupp poses for a picture during the 2017 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on Friday, March 3, 2017 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Eastern Washington wide receiver Cooper Kupp runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Saturday, March 4, 2017 in Indianapolis. (AJ Mast via AP Images)
Washington defensive lineman Greg Gaines runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 3, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Pittsburgh defensive lineman Aaron Donald runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Monday, Feb. 24, 2014. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Southern California defensive back Nickell Robey runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2013. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Southern California wide receiver Robert Woods poses for a portrait at the 2013 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on Feb. 22 in Indianapolis, Ind. (AP Photo/Ben Liebenberg)
Texas running back Malcolm Brown runs the 40 yard dash during the 2015 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday, February 21, 2015 in Indianapolis, IN. (AP Photo/Johnny Vy)
University of Pittsburg defensive tackle Aaron Donald runs through drills at the 2014 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, on February 24, 2014. (AP Photo/Ben Liebenberg)
Wisconsin offensive lineman Rob Havenstein runs a drill during the 2015 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on Friday, February 20, 2015 in Indianapolis, IN. (AP Photo/Ben Liebenberg)
Memphis running back Darrell Henderson runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 1, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
South Alabama tight end Gerald Everett runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine, Saturday, March 4, 2017 in Indianapolis. (AJ Mast via AP Images)
Oregon State wide receiver Brandin Cooks makes a catch as he runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, Feb. 23, 2014. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Boston Colllege defensive back John Johnson runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Monday, March 6, 2017. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Texas A&M wide receiver Josh Reynolds runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Saturday, March 4, 2017 in Indianapolis. (AJ Mast via AP Images)
Boston Colllege defensive back John Johnson runs the 40 yard dash during the 2017 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on Monday, March 6, 2017 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
California quarterback Jared Goff runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
California quarterback Jared Goff performs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan)
South Alabama tight end Gerald Everett, right, blocks Mississippi tight end Evan Engram as they run a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 4, 2017. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
California quarterback Jared Goff throws a pass during the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016 in Indianapolis. (Perry Knotts via AP)
Wisconsin offensive lineman David Edwards runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 1, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Oregon State wide receiver Brandin Cooks runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, Feb. 23, 2014. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Boston College safety John Johnson competes in a drill at the 2017 NFL football scouting combine Monday, March 6, 2017, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan)
Michigan defensive back David Long runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Monday, March 4, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Florida State defensive back Jalen Ramsey is seen at the NFL football scouting combine Monday, Feb. 29, 2016, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan)
University of Southern California linebacker Clay Matthews Jr. during the NFL Scouting Combine held at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on February 23, 2009. (AP Photo/Ben Liebenberg)
Memphis running back Darrell Henderson during the 2019 Scouting Combine in Indianapolis on Friday, March. 1, 2019. (Perry Knotts via AP)
Wisconsin offensive lineman David Edwards runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 1, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Washington defensive back Taylor Rapp runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine, Monday, March 4, 2019, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Oklahoma offensive lineman Bobby Evans runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 1, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
