Suggs price tag rising

Ravens Central

Now that the Ravens have signed all this year's draft picks (first-rounder Ben Grubbs and fourth-rounder Le'Ron McClain were the latest to sign), the only meaningful contract negotiations left will be with Terrell Suggs. The Ravens want to extend the contract of Suggs, a two-time Pro Bowl linebacker entering the final year of his rookie contract.

But how much do the Ravens want to pay for Suggs?

Colts defensive end Dwight Freeney recently became the NFL's highest-paid defensive player when he signed a six-year, $72 million contract that included a mind-boggling $30 million signing bonus. (Side note: Freeney and Suggs are both represented by the same agent.) But Freeney's contract numbers likely will be trumped by Panthers defensive end Julius Peppers, who could receive between $35 million to $40 million in guaranteed money.

Suggs is an emerging player in the league, but NFL observers don't put him in the same class as Freeney or Peppers - yet. Freeney is a more dominant pass rusher than Suggs, although Suggs is stronger against the run. And Peppers is a better all-around player than Suggs, but Suggs is just 24 and will only get better.

My guess is the Ravens will try to give Suggs a deal that is richer than the one signed by former Raven Adalius Thomas (a five-year, $35 million contract that included $20 million in guarantees) but falls short of the Freeney deal.

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