Yesterday, 11:11 AM
(12-24-2024, 03:38 PM)SunsetBengal Wrote: While it's not time to anoint them as future stars just yet, these are the type of games that build their confidence and the development takes another step forward.
The team needs a defensive rebuild badly. They don't have to be stars. They just need to be contributors. I think the experience they are getting now is really valuable.
I wouldn't let anything that the current defense shows preclude any plans to draft or sign a difference-making defender at ANY position. There's not a single position group that can't be upgraded. They still need a defensive leader as well, and that leader needs to be an actual factor on the field. No Sam Hubbard/Vonn Bell over-the-hill veteran wise man. Those two are basically in-house Dhani Jones right now. Not starting caliber anywhere, but viewed as essential in Cincinnati. Dhani stabilized a rudderless defense when he came to Cincinnati, but his best days were well behind him. Sam for Sam and Vonn. They are not the future.
Even when this team drafted DL with success, it took the group time to develop. Geno, Carlos and MJ all took at least a season. If Jenkins and Jackson look competent, then perhaps the focus needs to be on an edge rusher. IMO they've needed one for years.
The beauty of the tragic state of this defense is that they stand to benefit greatly from adding talent at any level. BPA on defense in the draft should be the strategy. A stud safety like Starks would be welcome as would a true high-end boundary corner.
