NFC Notes: Buccaneers, Falcons, Panthers

Buccaneers

• According to TMZ Sports, Buccaneers’ WR Jaydon Mickens is facing two misdemeanor charges relating to a gun that was found in his vehicle during a traffic stop back in March.

Falcons

Tori McElhaney of The Athletic takes a look at five available free agents who could make an impact as an edge rusher in the Falcons’ defense:

• McElhaney calls DE Justin Houston the best player available, but would likely require a “worthwhile offer” given his current demand. 
• McElhaney believes OLB Melvin Ingram would fit well into DC Dean Pees‘ system.
• McElhaney could see DE Adrian Clayborn being a reliable “piece in the rotation” despite not being a full-time starter.
• Regarding former Bills DE Trent Murphy, McElhaney notes that he could look for a one-year deal in order to increase his market value for 2022. 
• McElhaney thinks OLB Olivier Vernon could be an immediate impact on the Falcons’ defense, but he carries a health risk after sustaining a ruptured Achilles in Week 17 last year. 

Panthers

Panthers DE Brian Burns mentioned that recently signed DE Haason Reddick brings “a lot of versatility” to their defensive line. 

“He’s gonna add a lot of versatility, honestly,” Burns said, via Nick Shook of Around the NFL. “He can do a lot of things — so can I — but having both of us on the edge, they’re going to have to pick their poison. They can’t double-team both of us or the guys in the middle. We added a lot of great additions to this defense and to this team in general, and I really do think he’s going to do great things for us. We’re also gonna have a like little sack competition, so y’all be ready for that.”

Burns expects a “sack competition” to occur between himself and Reddick this season given they will push each other to succeed. 

“I already know he’s gonna push me,” Burns said. “So, having him on the other side of me — he’s gets a sack, he’s gonna push me and make me want to get a sack. I can already tell our competitive nature is going to come out. It’s going to be a sack competition. I’m going to try and beat him every game and he already knows that.”