Why the New Orleans Saints or Carolina Panthers may pursue this surprising free agent cornerback, Tre Herndon as week two is around the corner. Bleacher Report published an article laying out the weaknesses and needs of every roster, but they have Herndon heading to the Saints. It’s easy to see why New Orleans would add another cornerback to their lineup since they already have plenty of depth. Marshon Lattimore is still a hot trade candidate and those rumors are not going anywhere as long as he stays healthy this year.
Rookies Kool-Aid McKinstry and Rico Payton are the only reserve players who are backing up the current starters on the depth chart. The Saints have a strong starting group including Lattimore, Paulson Adebo and Paulson Adebo but things may be problematic if any of them sustains an injury. Herndon’s presence at the cheap veteran price should be able to give New Orleans something to work with. He has experience covering the boundary and the slot which could turn into an emergency player in case they need experience at the position.
After spending most of his NFL tenure in Jacksonville, he’s been doing nothing special but just a valuable depth piece. This is something that the Panthers could look to sign to help Jaycee Horn alone in the secondary. Herndon is 5-11 and 190 pounds and has three picks among 32 passes defended in his name. He is no Xavien Howard but the teams don’t have to give any guarantees in veteran contracts the Panthers may better fare with a cheap free agent.
Herndon wouldn’t last a full season with either team but he’s reliable for any roster that needs emergency help. It’s what the Panthers need to give the team a fighting chance.
Why Saints, Panthers May Pursue This Surprising Free Agent Tre Herndon
Other Possible Destinations
Dallas Cowboys
Some may be wondering why the Cowboys need a cornerback but the reality is that Dallas always sustains an injury bug. They won’t survive this regular season if they suffer another hit in the secondary. The defense was playing exceptionally well in week one but they have to keep the same energy for the rest of the year. This is why guys like Caelen Carson will go through growing pains this season being that this is his rookie year.
However, the Cowboys could bring in a veteran like Herndon on a one-year deal to help add some depth behind Trevon Diggs and Jourdan Lewis. Some sources say that Xavien Howard would be a fit but Herndon would probably come cheaper. They don’t plan to keep around that same cornerback next year if they add one late this season since DaRon Bland will come back this soon.
Baltimore Ravens
There’s no such thing as too many cornerbacks on one team in this league. Marlon Humphrey and Brandon Stephens are a two-solid pack but some presence for Nate Wiggins would probably be best. Herndon isn’t getting on the fast foot but maybe joining a potential Super Bowl winner will improve his play. He won’t beat out Wiggins for the backup role but it provides some cushioning if the secondary takes a hit.
Kansas City Chiefs
After trading L’Jarius Sneed this past offseason, the Chiefs knew that Trent McDuffie and Joshua Williams had large shoes to fill. The secondary won’t be the same last year but they could hold the fort until they trade for a cornerback this season if it comes down to it. However, it may not be needed as Herndon is there to be a rotational piece, especially to stick around as depth.
