Saints 2021 Defensive End Free Agency Preview
Several former 1st round draft picks at defensive end will be hitting free agency looking to revitalize their careers. Could New Orleans add one of them on a cheap deal, as they look to maintain their own depth at the position?
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Mar 13, 2021
Since arriving as a 1st round draft choice in 2011, defensive end Cameron Jordan has been a consistent star and leader for the New Orleans Saints defense. Even on historically bad defenses through the middle part of the decade, Jordan was respected throughout the league for his production and effort.
Jordan had a down year in 2020 by his lofty standards, but fourth-year DE Trey Hendrickson enjoyed a breakout performance. Hendrickson led the team with 13.5 sacks, 25 QB hits, 33 pressures, and 12 tackles for loss, surpassing his three-year career totals in all categories.
Detroit Lions free agency preview: All eyes on Romeo Okwara when it comes to the defensive line
Updated Mar 15, 2021;
Posted Mar 12, 2021
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Romeo Okwara (95) celebrates after sacking Washington quarterback Alex Smith (11) in the first quarter of their NNFL game at Ford Field in Detroit, on Sunday, November 15, 2020. (Mike Mulholland | MLive.com)Mike Mulholland | MLive.com
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Expiring contracts: Everson Griffen, Romeo Okwara
Best available: Carl Lawson (Bengals), Trey Hendrickson (Saints), Melvin Ingram (Chargers), Kawann Short (Panthers), Jurrell Casey (Broncos), Shelby Harris (Broncos), Jadeveon Clowney (Titans), Shaquil Barrett (Bucs)
Other names to watch: Yannick Ngakoue (Ravens), Solomon Thomas (49ers), Johnathan Hankins (Raiders), Sheldon Rankins (Saints), Dalvin Tomlinson (Giants), Poona Ford (RFA, Seahawks), Davon Godchaux (Dolphins), Ryan Kerrigan (Football Team), Abry Jones (Jaguars), Isaac Rochell (Chargers), Takkarist McKi
Lessons New York Giants Can Learn From Cleveland Browns Turnaround
The Cleveland Browns have gone from being a laughingstock to a franchise that s on the rise. And they did it by following a nine-point plan that the Giants might want to consider following more closely.
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Once upon a time, the Cleveland Browns used to be the laughingstock of the league.
The “Brownies,” as their critics called them, couldn’t find a quarterback, and they had head coach after head coach (including Bill Belichick) fail. They experienced so much turnover in their front office that it was fair to wonder if the ink on the contracts signed by their administrators had even dried before they were replaced.
Mar 12, 2021
Brad Holmes and the Detroit Lions have reportedly been actively trying to create cap space in anticipation for free agency.
In addition to the decision to not use the franchise tag on either wide receiver Kenny Golladay or defensive end Romeo Okwara, the team has also made a series of cuts, according to reports.
The most recent of these cuts was cornerback Justin Coleman. If Coleman is declared a post-June 1 release, the Lions will save $9 million in cap space. Should that not be the case, Detroit will still save a little over $4.94 million.
Coleman is the second cornerback the Lions have cut loose this offseason, joining fellow veteran Desmond Trufant. The decision to cut both players leaves the Lions without their two season-opening starters at the position.
ANALYSIS
One of the most fascinating positions of the offseason, a year after losing Danny Shelton, a big chunk of the Patriots interior defensive linemen are now due to hit free agency. Guy, a 2020 captain and member of the All-2010s Patriots team, is the biggest piece of the equation. Guy was asked to shoulder the load in 2020 and was their most consistent front seven player, but at 31, and after missing games for the first time in his Patriots career, the team will have to weigh Guy s long-term outlook. He should still be a good candidate to return.
Butler and Wise are younger and coming off the best seasons of their career, but both could be more highly valued in another defensive system where they could possibly expect to see more playing time. Both have made significant strides since their arrivals and it would hurt to lose either, especially on passing downs.