Newton or sweat?

[SunsetBengal]

(02-06-2024, 01:31 PM)Whatever Wrote: The Reader situation will have to be monitored.  How they deal with him and FA will be a telling sign.  If he's expected to miss significant time, I can see them signing a stop-gap vet on a one-year deal to cover for, then rotate with him.  I can't see him getting a multi-year deal and them drafting a NT day 1 or 2 to rotate.  

After this year's dismal performance in stopping the run, I have a sneaking suspicion that will be a focal point for the Defense this offseason.  If this team has genuine Superbowl aspirations, they're going to have to field a Championship level defense.  A "stop-gap" level player while they hope and wait for a full recovery and return to form from DJ Reader just isn't going to cut it.  They need a top level NT through the draft, and a competent veteran to shoulder the load while Reader gets back to his self.  I have a feeling that the secondary performance will be much improved with the young players getting settled into their roles and the communication becomes more natural.