Fansided

One player each NFL team can’t let hit free agency in 2021

By Russell S. Baxter

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JANUARY 05: Demario Davis #56 of the New Orleans Saints reacts after a stop on third down during the second half against the Minnesota Vikings in the NFC Wild Card Playoff game at Mercedes Benz Superdome on January 05, 2020 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JANUARY 05: Demario Davis #56 of the New Orleans Saints reacts after a stop on third down during the second half against the Minnesota Vikings in the NFC Wild Card Playoff game at Mercedes Benz Superdome on January 05, 2020 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) /
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EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – DECEMBER 22: Defensive Tackle Cameron Heyward #97 and Linebacker Tyler Matakevich #44 of the Pittsburgh Steelers take to the field against the New York Jets in the first half at MetLife Stadium on December 22, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.(Photo by Al Pereira/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – DECEMBER 22: Defensive Tackle Cameron Heyward #97 and Linebacker Tyler Matakevich #44 of the Pittsburgh Steelers take to the field against the New York Jets in the first half at MetLife Stadium on December 22, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.(Photo by Al Pereira/Getty Images) /

Pittsburgh Steelers: DE Cameron Heyward

Reliable defensive lineman Cameron Heyward is one of the team’s elder statesmen. He enters his 10th NFL season off three consecutive Pro Bowl invitations and All-Pro nods in 2017 and ’19. The former Ohio State standout has amassed 54 sacks, more than half of those (29) the past three years. It’s hard to imagine the veteran elsewhere.

San Francisco 49ers: WR Kendrick Bourne

The former undrafted free agent from Eastern Washington has played in all 16 regular-season games each of the past two seasons. Kendrick Bourne has been targeted a combined 110  times and hauled in 72 passes, good for 845 yards and nine scores. The 49ers lost Emmanuel Sanders in free agency and Bourne’s development is key.

Seattle Seahawks: OLB K.J. Wright

A steady starter throughout his career, he rebounded to start all 16 games in 2019 after missing 11 contests the previous year. K.J. Wright and Bobby Wagner have been one of the top linebacking duos in the league. The former comes off a year in which he reached career highs in stops (132), interceptions (3) and passes defensed (11).

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