NFC Notes: Lions, Panthers, Saints

Lions

• The Athletic’s Chris Burke mentions Cardinals RB Kenyan Drake as a potential free-agent option for the Lions this year, as they tried to acquire him at the trade deadline in 2019. 
• Burke also mentions Chiefs RB LeSean McCoy as a sleeper option, as Lions HC Matt Patricia has a ton of respect for him. 

Panthers

• The Athletic’s Jourdan Rodrigue and Joseph Person write that the Panthers’ trade of G Trai Turner to the Chargers for LT Russell Okung may have been motivated in part by doubt about 2019 second-round OT Greg Little‘s long-term health going forward after suffering multiple concussions and playing just four games as a rookie. 
• The move also does clear cap space in 2021, which would be the final year of Turner’s deal. Okung’s contract expires after 2020. 
• However, the swap of a 26-year-old guard for a 31-year-old tackle on its face doesn’t appear to be a rebuilding move, and Rodrigue and Person note the Panthers definitely seem to be headed for a rebuild in 2020 even if everyone in the organization isn’t necessarily on the same page about that. 
• According to WFNZ’s Kyle Bailey, the Panthers are interested in trying Little out at guard to see how he fits, mentioning a past move of OL Travelle Wharton from tackle inside to guard. 

Saints

• In a radio interview on WEEI, Saints QB Drew Brees made it clear that while he hasn’t re-signed with the team yet, it’s only a matter of time: “Listen, I have no intention of going anywhere. I don’t care what the offer would be or what the situation might be, I am Who Dat Nation for life.”
• According to the Athletic’s Katherine Terrell, Saints LB Kiko Alonso‘s rehab from a torn ACL is going well, but it’s still likely New Orleans asks him to take some kind of pay cut.