New Look Defense

Last year:
https://www.profootballfocus.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/2014-depth-update-WAS.png

I don't know about all this depth chart coloring book stuff...

There hasn't been much talk about Keenan this off-season but I really think he's going to have a borderline pro-bowl year. With the bolstered d-line he should find himself running around unblocked a lot.

they rated ryan clark as a good starter? I'm not sure i'm all in on their rating system.

they rated ryan clark as a good starter?Yes based off the 2013 season.

I don't know about all this depth chart coloring book stuff...

There hasn't been much talk about Keenan this off-season but I really think he's going to have a borderline pro-bowl year. With the bolstered d-line he should find himself running around unblocked a lot.
I agree about Keenan.
As long as he stays healthy I expect him to be Pro Bowl caliber every year. Very underrated player IMO.

I think its fair to say the personnel on defense has taken huge steps forward from last year.

Up front going from: Jenkins-Cofield/Baker-Hatcher to: Paea-Knighton-Hatcher is a huge upgrade.

Corners going from: Breeland-Amerson-Biggers to: Cully-Hall-Breeland is an upgrade

ILBs: Status Quo

OLB/Edge rush: Preston Smith should add something to the pass rush

Now Safety going from: Clark-Meriweather to: Dash-Duke appears at a minimum to be an upgrade at SS with Dash at least being a push with Clark but there are reasons to believe he could be better

In terms of projected talent levels alone, the defense clearly improved on the DL and in CB's. The LB's are a bit of a wash but may improve with Murphy and Robinson continuing there growth and with the addition of Smith.

S seems improved but it's pretty speculative at this point. Duke's coming back from an injury, Goldon's coming off a horrible couple of years, and Johnson hasn't been a regular starter. While I think they are an improvement, they could end up being just a continuation of the sorry state of the D's back-end. To me, this is both the biggest question mark and the area most likely to end up sabotaging the otherwise improved defensive talent. If the safeties can't get turnovers and can't stop the big plays, one or two big plays will undo a game's worth of solid play in the trenches and force the offense to make long scoring marches.

Crossing my fingers.

DL:We've gotten more stout against the run with proven trench guys.

LB:More of the same. I wont believe Smith's addition will add anything special to the pass rush until i see it.

CB:Going from a D to a C, IMO.

S:A Wash

So if you held a gun to my head, id say our run defense is stout in '15, but we will continue to struggle to pressure the qb, and due to our weak center field, we will get blown up down the middle 1-2 a game.

I think its fair to say the personnel on defense has taken huge steps forward from last year.

Up front going from: Jenkins-Cofield/Baker-Hatcher to: Paea-Knighton-Hatcher is a huge upgrade.

Corners going from: Breeland-Amerson-Biggers to: Cully-Hall-Breeland is an upgrade

ILBs: Status Quo

OLB/Edge rush: Preston Smith should add something to the pass rush

Now Safety going from: Clark-Meriweather to: Dash-Duke appears at a minimum to be an upgrade at SS with Dash at least being a push with Clark but there are reasons to believe he could be better

Not sure that ILB will stay the same. Will Compton looked really good at times last year and a new staff may be the opportunity for him to see more snaps.

I havent seen much coverage on that group during OTA's

Not sure that ILB will stay the same. Will Compton looked really good at times last year and a new staff may be the opportunity for him to see more snaps.

I havent seen much coverage on that group during OTA's

Like you, I sense that we'll improve at ILB this season.

Keenan Robinson could have a breakout season. He has the talent but his progress was slowed by injuries. He is only 25 years old.

Will Compton is at least a solid backup IMO.

I also have hopes that Martrell Spaight will turn out to be a good depth player at some point this season. He'll probably stick because he's a good ST player. He is a very hard worker and watches a lot of film, so I think he might be able to make himself a good player in time.

Perry Riley is a better player than most of us give him credit for being. He is weak in coverage but perhaps he won't need to cover as much in our new defense.