5 NFC South free agents the Panthers can purge in 2021
By Dean Jones
Trey Hendrickson – DE
Trey Hendrickson came of age for the Saints this season. The defensive end’s relentless motor and significant improvement finishing off plays resulted in a big turnaround in fortunes, which could see the player get a big payday either in New Orleans or elsewhere this spring.
Considering how much the Saints are up against it from a salary-cap perspective, they’ll have to pick and choose which roster members to keep. Although Hendrickson appears to be a vital component for any future success that comes their way, New Orleans might not have the money he wants after a standout regular season that brought 13.5 sacks, 25 quarterback hits, and 32 pressures.
The Carolina Panthers should at least explore the possibility if the Saints allow Hendrickson to test the market. Their defensive front did show signs of life during the second half of the campaign, but if the coaching staff declares that second-round pick Yetur Gross-Matos is more suited to a rotational role after a rookie campaign blighted by injury, then they’ll need to bring someone else into the fold.
Considering the more pressing needs elsewhere and the limited financial resources available, this is probably the least likely on this list. But that doesn’t detract from what a major coup it would be from one of their divisional rivals.