New Orleans Saints free agency: Defensive end crop growing

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New Orleans Saints Cam Jordan and Sean Payton

Dec 21, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan (94) shakes hands with head coach Sean Payton (R) prior to the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports /

When New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton was asked what the team’s biggest area of need was in an interview at the NFL Scouting Combine, he simply replied ‘pass rusher.’

Whether or not the Saints pick up a veteran in the open market (very possible), a rookie in the draft (will happen), or both (also very possible), will be determined in the very near future. Free agency kicks off next week, and if New Orleans’ top need truly is a pass rusher, then you would think signing an experienced professional with a proven track record will surely happen.

An idea for the New Orleans Saints would be signing a veteran defensive end — a position with a growing crop of free agents — to bring a spark on the opposite side of Cam Jordan, who was recently named to his second Pro Bowl for his stellar 2015 campaign. The Saints still have work to do in order to get some more wiggle room in the salary cap department, but three players come to mind if that does happen…

Next: Chris Long

New Orleans Saints free agency: Veteran defensive end crop growing

The New Orleans Saints are in the market for a pass rusher, and the crop of free agent defensive end prospects keeps getting bigger when it comes to experienced veterans.