So how do you think we need to fix the defense this offseason?

[Whatever]

(01-21-2024, 05:38 PM)Joelist Wrote: After hearing Logan Wilson talking about how the LBers were hampered because they could not rely on the secondary being correctly positioned and also the constant flood of explosive plays we allowed in the passing game, I have to think the coaches will have fixing the communication problems as a high priority. Since it seems these issues arose at least partly from losing both Bates AND Bell because one of them apparently was making alignment calls based on what they were seeing, that function needs to be replaced with a better option. I see two options:

1) Proceed on the assumption that Battle in his development will next season have the proper recognition skills to take on the role and be effective at it. This may not be a bad thing as Battle in college was noted for good processing skills. But it is a risk of course.

2) Add a savvy veteran Safety or CB to fill this role. That would REALLY rest on who will be out there.

Obviously the other priority area is the Interior Defensive Line. We need a blue chip DT from Free Agency (and I mean a REAL blue chip not just someone who flashed a little) and probably need to double down on DT in the draft also. This can both really help our rush defense and our pass rush (by providing a source of consistent pass rush not named Trey).

What do you think? If we signed a free agent DT (Jones or other such) AND went DT in Round One would you say it is good or overkill (for example)?

The young secondary should be improved with experience and another year together.  We should probably look at a vet CB for depth or in case Turner doesn't develop as expected.  If we can get Chido back on a one year deal after he had a rough one returning from injury, that would work for me.

The big thing is the pass rush needs to be improved.  Getting Murphy on the field more next year should help, but with Reader injured and due to be a FA, they probably need to look for a NT that brings more as a pass rusher.  Christian Wilkins has been mentioned a lot and he would be my top UFA priority.

A 1st or 2nd round DT probably isn't realistic for the draft unless we get more picks from somewhere.  Jonah is a UFA in a terrible FA T class, and probably needs upgraded on, anyways.  Tee will likely be FT'd and Boyd will be gone.  The Bengals ' MO on FT guys is to draft a replacement high the year of the tag.  They did it with Bates(took Hill round 1), AJ(took Higgins round 2), and Michael Johnson(took Margus Hunt round 2).  Given the strength of both positions in the draft, we are probably looking at our top two picks being OT and WR.