11 hours ago, kentwo said:

I'm giving Sidney Jones this season to prove it.

And that's fine but we've all said that the last couple of years I think. 

18 hours ago, manz2821 said:

At the expense of being overly optimistic I think the defense is better this year.  Better on the D line with a healthy Jackson and Hargraves.  Faster at LB.  I'm hoping the new guys can tackle.  Def better at the DB even though the loss of Jenkins might be big.  My sleeper on the D is Avery as a rusher on passing downs.  The key is for these folks to stay healthy which is our bugaboo every year.

I think a lot of reasons to be optimistic. I agree with much of what you say:

1) DT - last year Cox wasn't right for the first half of the season and we get Jackson back and Hargrave. Should be the best group in the NFL.

2) We finally have a legitimate CB1. We haven't really had one of those since Samuel (although 2017 Darby was better than some people remember)

3) Wallace looks like a player. I'm hopeful that between him, Mills and Parks they can be adequate replacements for Jenkins (who was starting to decline).

4) We are 3 deep at nickel corner and I like any of them in that role.

5) Schwartz is very good

However

1) If Mcleod goes down I'm not sure we have anybody with the skill set to play the deep/free safety role.

2) DE is a bit of a concern, especially with Graham getting older. We need more from Sweat, Miller and Avery.

3) The linebackers are weak. As you say a lot of speed, but Taylor is raw and the rest are a rag tag group of low picks and undrafted rookies.

4) CB2 is a concern.

Overall though, I firmly believe if they can stay relatively healthy, This should be a top 10 and possibly top 5 D.

On 5/3/2020 at 7:51 AM, UK_EaglesFan89 said:

This year they invested all FA resources in the defense. They then invested 2 third round picks, a fourth round pick, a fifth round pick, a sixth round pick and a seventh round pick. 

True on FA, but in the draft they invested 1 third rd pick (Taylor), a 4th rd (Wallace), a 6th (Bradley), and a 7th (Toohill).  Early prediction is that only the first two are likely to work their way into starting roles ... the latter two appear to be depth pieces and will see most of their action on STs.  But obviously time will tell.  

16 minutes ago, time2rock said:

True on FA, but in the draft they invested 1 third rd pick (Taylor), a 4th rd (Wallace), a 6th (Bradley), and a 7th (Toohill).  Early prediction is that only the first two are likely to work their way into starting roles ... the latter two appear to be depth pieces and will see most of their action on STs.  But obviously time will tell.  

Also have to remember it’s a compensatory third rounder, so no picks in the top 100 on the D.

30 minutes ago, time2rock said:

True on FA, but in the draft they invested 1 third rd pick (Taylor), a 4th rd (Wallace), a 6th (Bradley), and a 7th (Toohill).  Early prediction is that only the first two are likely to work their way into starting roles ... the latter two appear to be depth pieces and will see most of their action on STs.  But obviously time will tell.  

That's very true also. But overall they probably just about balanced out between offense and defense. And offense has been the major issue the last couple of years. 

need young edge rushers

17 hours ago, QBhunter58 said:

need young edge rushers

Yeah we really do! We need an explosive edge player who can get double digit sacks. 

I'm still holding hope for Yannick.

20 hours ago, QBhunter58 said:

need young edge rushers

 

2 hours ago, UK_EaglesFan89 said:

Yeah we really do! We need an explosive edge player who can get double digit sacks. 

I'm still holding hope for Yannick.

Yannick would make this D potentially elite. He's exactly what we need.

But I just think we will struggle with cap hit/draft picks too much. Sounds like we already have major cap issues in 2021.

1 hour ago, ManchesterEagle said:

 

Yannick would make this D potentially elite. He's exactly what we need.

But I just think we will struggle with cap hit/draft picks too much. Sounds like we already have major cap issues in 2021.

Yeah I'd agree that it's very unlikely. I remain hopeful because my god what an addition but I can't see it happening. 

On 5/9/2020 at 11:05 AM, QBhunter58 said:

need young edge rushers

We really blew it passing on Epensesa.

12 hours ago, AngryBird said:

We really blew it passing on Epensesa.

Well let's see. We don't know that. Lots of other teams passed on him.