Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Derek Barnett requested a trade on Monday. His agent, Drew Rosenhaus, has reportedly made calls around the league to see where Barnett might be able to earn more playing time.
Barnett is a veteran with 21.5 career sacks that can still contribute in the right role.
There are several teams around the NFL that could use some help along the defensive line, including a few Super Bowl contenders, and adding a former 2017 first-round pick might be enough to move the needle.
Below, we’ll highlight three NFL teams that need defensive line help and might be willing to acquire the embattled Eagles’ pass rusher.
Arizona Cardinals
Arizona projects to be one of the NFL’s worst teams in 2023. Kyler Murray is still recovering from a late-season ACL injury, and as a result, the organization made little effort to revamp the defensive line.
The Cardinals’ defensive line was decimated in the offseason, as the defensive line lost three impactful starters in J.J. Watt, Zach Allen, and Markus Golden.
The organization did not really attempt to replace those players. Instead, it is banking on two unproven players, Jonathan Ledbetter and LJ Collins, who have a combined 4.5 sacks in their respective NFL careers.
In fact, only one Cardinals played more than 350 snaps last season. That happened to be defensive tackle Leki Fotu, who ranked 125th out of 127 at his position, per PFF.
Though Barnett might have to come off of the edge in the Cardinals’ 3-4 scheme, projected starting edge rusher Dennis Gardeck has notched just one sack since 2021.
New Orleans Saints
Adding talent on the defensive line could be a priority for a New Orleans Saints team that is competing in one of the weakest divisions in football.
The Saints’ defense is anchored by Cameron Jordan but finding someone to pressure quarterbacks from the right side has been a challenge.
In 2023, Carl Granderson is projected to start opposite Jordan. Last season, Granderson set a career-high with 5.5 sacks and graded out as the best Saints defensive lineman, according to PFF. However, over the past three years, he has a combined 13.5 sacks.
On the other hand, Jordan is entering his 13th NFL season and could be on the verge of a decline in the near future.
Barnett has a high motor and is the type of player that could thrive under Saints head coach Dennis Allen.
A move to New Orleans would also be a natural fit for Barnett, who excels in a 4-3 scheme.
Las Vegas Raiders
Another 4-3 team with postseason aspirations, the Raiders have Maxx Crosby, one of the league’s best defensive ends.
Veteran Chandler Jones was supposed to form a dynamic duo with Crosby in 2022 but the production never materialized. Instead, Jones finished with just 4.5 sacks, his lowest total ever in a season that he’s played in more than five games.
While the team drafted rookie Tyree Wilson in the first-round, adding Barnett to the equation would give the Raiders more firepower in a division that features Patrick Mahomes, Justin Herbert, and Russell Wilson at quarterback.
