Former Tennessee Vols defensive lineman Derek Barnett was an afterthought by the midpoint of the 2023 NFL season.
Barnett wasn't playing much for the Philadelphia Eagles in 2023 after playing in just one game in 2022.
After eight games, the former Vol was released and claimed off waivers by the Houston Texans.
And that's when things dramatically improved for the Nashville native.
Barnett had a solid finish to the season for the Texans, totaling 2.5 sacks, 11 tackles for loss, and eight quarterback hurries in just six games.
The strong finish to the season comes as Barnett is set to be a free agent this offseason.
Pro Football Focus suggested this week that a return to Houston or a free agent deal with the New Orleans Saints are the ideal scenarios for Barnett.
From PFF: We’re counting Houston here since the Texans added Barnett very late in the season. He flourished down the stretch, perhaps demonstrating exactly what Houston was hoping to see to encourage another contract.
New Orleans could use more complementary pieces across its defensive line, and Barnett is a good fit alongside Cameron Jordan and Carl Granderson.
If Barnett lands in New Orleans, he'll be reunited with former Tennessee teammate Alvin Kamara (though Kamara is a cut candidate for the Saints this offseason).
Barnett will turn 28 this summer. He showed in Houston that he still has plenty left in the tank, he just needs to be in a system that knows how to properly utilize his skillset.
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