03-23-2025, 11:32 PM
(03-23-2025, 09:17 PM)jj22 Wrote: Loading up on defense is exactly what we need(ed) to do.
The fact we can’t after not really turning over the defense as needed and adding an unnecessary need at safety by not signing a free agent, only highlight the the bubbling under grade for the team so far.
For me it depends on who is available.
I could easily draft offense the first two rounds:
RD1: Warren/Loveland or Membou/W. Campbell
RD2: Jackson/Zabel/Conerly
Then circle back for Edge & DT later.
Rd3: Burch/Gillotte or Farmer
Rd4: Ivey or Robinson
Granted, except for Loveland, having one of those offensive guys available is unlikely. I'd only take Jackson on a trade back if none of the guys I really like are there (Walker, Warren, W. Campbell, Membou, Johnson, J. Campbell, Emmanwori).
Starks & Loveland would be next on my board, but would not stop me from a good trade back deal. Nolen/Harmon/Grant or Jackson/Zabel pkus an extea Day 2 pick is a deal I'd make there. Plus, either guy could drop given their positions.
Just imagine what the O would be like with a decent FA guard (Hernandez, Scherff, Risner) + Warren/Loveland + a Day 2 guard.
I think fixing the D is gonna be a multi-year process. No matter how we draft. Some slight improvement we already have baked in with L. Wilson, D. Hill, and Turner healthy. Slaton & Burks should help some. Continued improvement from Ossai, Jenkins, Jackson, D. Hill, Turner, and Battle is possible. Stone and Pratt should bounce back some from poor years. And Golden should help some. And even if we don't load up early, there is decent help to be found R3-R5.
Marginal to substantial improvements on D plus an O that can deliver the coup de gras when given a chance late and our record looks a lot different last year.
