How much have we improved player personnel?

Great list, and I agree with most. But I've said it in a couple threads so far; we go as Cousins goes.

Are we 9-7 again and the best of a bad division, or are we 11-5 against strong competition this year because Cousins genuinely is the real deal and takes yet another step forward?

I love following player personnel, but our 2016 season is all about Kirk. How well do he, McVay, and Gruden develop together.

^^ This. With one caveat, from a player personnel standpoint, 2016 is about building the team so that, if KC fails, 2017 is not ground zero.

Yes, in 2016 we go as KC goes, but that could be said about many teams and their QB's (Indi, Dallas, San Diego, New Orleans), at the top of the league, consistent playoff teams have playoff QB's.

However, by building a solid, deep team, Scot is essentially building a team that a playoff QB can come in and win with. So, even if Kirk takes a step back, in 2017, with solid QB play from someone, we can still build on the winning culture.

It's fun to watch.

I think the D all around got better this offseason but I'll start with Run Defense:

In another thread there was a discussion about the reason for the poor run defense.

I thought it was less of DL issue then a LB/S issue.

Watching the games that was my thought and imo its supported by 3rd party data (football outsiders, PFF).

Baker, Ricky Jean, Paea were/are historically solid against the run.
From watching the games and this is supported again by PFF; all the LBs not named Foster were poor against the run.
Same goes for the S spot, would you have guessed that Hall was the best S against the run and he was learning the S position.

Stephen Daniels was a player I liked during the draft process. You can find 2 of his games on nflbreakdown; and from watching the games I would be hard pressed to say that Reggie Ragland is better then him, they may as well be twins.

IF Daniels plays in the base D the run defense is gonna improve.

The FA S, David Bruton I haven't watched him extensively but he's known for physical play as a core special teamer and he graded well against the run 75 which would make him by far the highest graded run stopping S on the roster.

Su'a Craven fits the mold of a solid run stopper, the dude played LB in college and imho will make even more of an impact in the NFL with the move to SS.

Do we even have a true 3-4 NT on the roster? I know we're not in the base 3-4 very often but still...

Our defensive secondary may be in a position to almost dare the opponent to throw.
I never thought I would be able to say that.

The D line?
Meh....we got an injured guy back, moved some guys around and added a 5th round rookie.
I'm quite skeptical that our pass rush will improve that much.

^^ This. With one caveat, from a player personnel standpoint, 2016 is about building the team so that, if KC fails, 2017 is not ground zero.

Yes, in 2016 we go as KC goes, but that could be said about many teams and their QB's (Indi, Dallas, San Diego, New Orleans), at the top of the league, consistent playoff teams have playoff QB's.

However, by building a solid, deep team, Scot is essentially building a team that a playoff QB can come in and win with. So, even if Kirk takes a step back, in 2017, with solid QB play from someone, we can still build on the winning culture.

It's fun to watch.

I agree. But overall I think my main point is that improving from a player personnel standpoint is important, but just improving and developing as a whole is more important. I'm more interested to see, for example, how Brandon Scherff develops in his second year. I'm interested in seeing how much of a step Matt Jones can take. etc

Lots of folks are complaining about not enough done at this position or that position, but reality is the answer may already be on the roster. It's up to the players and coaches to make strides.

This time of year it's natural to focus on player personnel, but Jay Gruden and staff have just as much if not more to do with our success than McCloughan does.

Just trying to bring the conversation back to reality is all. We get a little armchair GM this time of year because we make a lot of assumptions like 'we currently stink at RB'. You sure about that? Will it be that way in September 2016, or will Matt Jones be The Man?

Miles to go before we sleep. That's all.

According to our roster Jerrell Powe is our sole NT on the roster we have a couple of other DT's that could fit the bill.

Taking an initial look at how the Washington Redskins' seven draft picks fit into the roster:

WR Josh Doctson: The Redskins already have two starting receivers in Pierre Garcon and DeSean Jackson, but there is no way they would have drafted Doctson without wanting to use him. So he will likely get plenty of snaps, especially in certain areas (red zone). He tracks the ball well downfield, so that will provide another option for quarterback Kirk Cousins, giving him two such players (Jackson). Likely starter in 2017.

LB/S Su'a Cravens: It’s hard to imagine he will start, but Cravens said the Redskins told him he would be their dime linebacker. But he can also play some safety. If nothing else he will be used in multiple roles and packages. He might not start, but will be a factor. My guess: He will end up being a fan favorite, too.

CB Kendall Fuller: Another hard one to project, because it’s a little crowded at cornerback. A lot depends on health: his own and that of starter Chris Culliver. If Culliver is healthy, the Redskins have three top cornerbacks, along with Bashaud Breeland and Josh Norman. But the unknown is when Culliver will be healthy -- it might not happen until after the season starts. Also, Fuller is coming off micro-fracture surgery. He should be ready for training camp, but getting to top-level play likely will take time. He’s as much a pick for the future as for the present. The good thing for the Redskins: They don’t need Fuller to contribute immediately.

DL Matt Ioannidis: The Redskins did not address the line like many thought they would (the team viewed it as a priority entering the draft). But Ioannidis should be part of the rotation. He’s not a run-plugging nose tackle, but more of an end in the base defense and a tackle in their nickel. The base defense needs work against the run, but so, too, does the nickel. He can help. Though the Redskins need more help along the line, it’s uncertain who will be in the top six. Trent Murphy's development at end will be big.

QB Nate Sudfeld: Developmental quarterback for a couple years down the road. The Redskins don’t need him now anyway with Kirk Cousins and Colt McCoy ahead of him. McCoy is signed for three years (the last year is an option) and Cousins, if he plays well, will be the long-term starter. Coach Jay Gruden really likes Sudfeld, but he needs some work. But with who’s ahead of him, Sudfeld should get the time he needs. The Redskins had considered going with two quarterbacks this season, but it’s hard to imagine them doing that now.






LB Steven Daniels: The Redskins are crowded at linebacker, but there is no Pro Bowler there, either. They have Will Compton, Perry Riley Jr., Mason Foster, Martrell Spaight, Terence Garvin and Adam Hayward among others. It's not a flashy group, but it is a tough-minded one. It’s hard to imagine Hayward sticking around considering he’s coming off ACL injuries each of the past two seasons and now they have younger, cheaper alternatives for backups. Daniels is worth watching and could develop into a starter within a couple years, though there is competition just for a roster spot. Between he, Spaight and Garvin, the Redskins should be solid with special teams linebackers, and that’s vital.

RB Keith Marshall: The running back situation is a questionable one for Washington. They have two players coming off injuries (Matt Jones and Chris Thompson) and drafted a guy whose college career was derailed by a torn ACL. Marshall is healthy now, however, and the Redskins hope his electric speed will result in big plays. Analysts say he was not the same runner last season, his first full one since the ACL, as he was as a freshman. Perhaps another year removed from the injury will help. But it’s hard to know where he fits as of now; most likely it’s as a complementary back to Jones. He wasn’t much of a threat in the pass game and he only returned one kickoff in college (though it certainly is a possibility in Washington). The Redskins also have Mack Brown on the roster, and there is always a chance they will re-sign Pierre Thomas. They could use a strong veteran presence. For a seventh-round pick, Marshall is intriguing simply because of his 4.31 time in the 40-yard dash, but he will have to show more than speed -- patience and vision will be key. Because there is not a lot of depth here, he will have a chance to contribute.



Article from John Keim speaking on how these players fit.

Just trying to bring the conversation back to reality is all. We get a little armchair GM this time of year because we make a lot of assumptions like 'we currently stink at RB'. You sure about that? Will it be that way in September 2016, or will Matt Jones be The Man?

Miles to go before we sleep. That's all.

Reality is that we have no backup for Matt Jones. If he gets hurt, Thompson and a 7th round rookie won't be able to carry the load on 1st and 2nd down. I don't recall anyone saying we stink at RB; however, I said we're weaker without Alfmo and I'm pretty sure we are unless Thompson grew 4 inches and added 40 pounds in the offseason.

I'm not worried because I'm confident that Scot will do something to fortify the RB position, but right now we're weaker than we were in that area last season.

Reality is that we have no backup for Matt Jones. If he gets hurt, Thompson and a 7th round rookie won't be able to carry the load on 1st and 2nd down. I don't recall anyone saying we stink at RB; however, I said we're weaker without Alfmo and I'm pretty sure we are unless Thompson grew 4 inches and added 40 pounds in the offseason.

I'm not worried because I'm confident that Scot will do something to fortify the RB position, but right now we're weaker than we were in that area last season.

I don't agree, I think Alfred was awful last season. And the Cowboys aren't exactly counting on him for much - they just drafted Zeke, and that was after Jones said that McFadden would be their #1.

So they have AlfMo at #3 on their pecking order.

I don't think he's worth a hill of beans anymore, to be frank. I don't think we lost much. If we pick up Pierre Thomas we'll be just as good as we were last year at RB, and better if Matt Jones makes improvements.

I don't agree, I think Alfred was awful last season.If Alfred was awful then what do you think of Matt Jones? He was worse in every category compared to Alfred.

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RE: DL

I agree that we don't have "true" NT on the roster. But, Berry doesn't play a 2-gap 34 and therefore we don't need a 2 gapping NT. Last year Baker played a bunch of snaps at NT due to Knighton's migraines etc and he was good.

And according to the last presser from Scott, Matt Ioannidis will play some NT in base.

So the base package 34 could be: DE-Ricky, Paea and NT/DE-Baker, Ioannidis

Ricky--Baker-Paea..........and/or...........Ricky--Ioannidis-Baker etc..


Projecting some possible line-ups:

........................................FS-Hall, (Bruton, Duke)

.................................................. ................SS-Bruton,Duke,Su'a

....................................WILB--Riley-----SILB--Foster/Daniels

...............ROLB-Gallette......RE-Ricky......NT-Baker......LE-Paea....LOLB-Ryan Kerrigan

CB-Breeland.......................NB-Fuller........................................CB-Norman

Nickel/Sub package DL: DE-Junior-DT-Preston--DTBake/Ioaniddis--DE-Ryan

The pass D is much improved.

Rush:

Adding Junior Gallette in addition to the return of Paea and the addition of Ioannidis should at least match if not improve upon the pass rush from last year and the pass rush last year was imo the strength of the defense.

Coverage:

CBs-
Breeland + injured/underperforming Cully, journeyman guy Blackmon, thrown in rookies transitioning to the NFL Kysheon and Dunber....to: Breeland + Josh Norman and Kendall Fuller is a HUGE jump up in coverage

SAF-
Hall was decent in his first year at S and should only improve, imo Hall is made for FS
Moving on from Dash to Bruton/Duke/Su'a should be a clear upgrade