Roster Review: Front 7 Defense

LB:
I could be wrong, but I think D Lloyd and N Dean are both projected to be Outside LBs. I think MLB in the first would be a reach. I do like Darrian Beavers in the round 2/3. I think they have to go out and sign a Veteran MLB though. Maybe Anthony Johnson from the Broncos would be a nice addition - then draft Beavers.

Davis-Beavers-Johnson-Holcomb would be a nice group.

DL:
Assuming we don't trade CY, Sweat, Payne... I think you make an offer to Settle, but my guess is he wants to test the market, and he should. We'll see how other teams value him. Either way, the D-line will be fine without him should he choose to go. He's a nice piece coming off the bench, but you can find his replacement in the draft or free agency.

Young-Allen-Payne-Iaonnidis-Draft/FA-Sweat would be nice as well.

Lloyd and Dean I’ve seen listed as mlb and outside. If here it’ll be in the middle. My preference is a vet there at this point, but slim pickings. Watching the waiver wire and be ready to pounce if cap casualties hit it.

In the mean time, signing a tier 2,3 vet there other than Bostic would be helpful. Mayo isn’t that guy they really like him as depth and as a teamer. Hudson didn’t take that step last year, he could be expendable.

One thing that wouldn’t shock me is if they take a DT in the draft if Settle leaves. Get a prospect they like while Payne and Matty I enter their last year of deals.

Lloyd and Dean I’ve seen listed as mlb and outside. If here it’ll be in the middle. My preference is a vet there at this point, but slim pickings. Watching the waiver wire and be ready to pounce if cap casualties hit it.



In the mean time, signing a tier 2,3 vet there other than Bostic would be helpful. Mayo isn’t that guy they really like him as depth and as a teamer. Hudson didn’t take that step last year, he could be expendable.



One thing that wouldn’t shock me is if they take a DT in the draft if Settle leaves. Get a prospect they like while Payne and Matty I enter their last year of deals.Btw the way, so you guys we try to extend Payne this off-season ?

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I think they try to extend Payne. I'm not sure they will get it done though. Holcomb, Payne, Flowers, and Ioannidis are all free agents next year...Fuller, Sweat, Gibson, and Curl are right behind them the following year. Time for some cap gymnastics over the next couple years especially if they trade for a big name QB. Absolutely have to draft starter quality players in the first 4 rounds.

I think they try to extend Payne. I'm not sure they will get it done though. Holcomb, Payne, Flowers, and Ioannidis are all free agents next year...Fuller, Sweat, Gibson, and Curl are right behind them the following year. Time for some cap gymnastics over the next couple years especially if they trade for a big name QB. Absolutely have to draft starter quality players in the first 4 rounds.

You always need to be retooling through the draft. I’m gonna be completely honest, when I look at the roster, we have less holes than in recent memory or we seem to at least have a better plan than in the recent past.

Going into this years draft, “best player available” mantra actually is correct outside of the QB position (which is a biggy). Our roster allows us to really put aside needs and go full bpa

I think Payne is underrated.
If we move on from anyone I would let Ionides walk. Guy is good but can’t play a full season.

JDR is the biggest weakness. I want to see Young and Sweat chasing QBs not doing lane assignments.

You leave my boy Matty alone. He wasn't fully recovered from his injury last season; he'll be much quicker this season; enough to terrorize QB's again with his inside pass rush.

Settle should have been traded last year because he could start on some teams and he had trade value. Now, we probably can't afford him as a FA and, once again, we'll lose a very good player without getting anything in return. I hate that.

You're right about JDR being our biggest weakness. That applies to every defensive player group.

You always need to be retooling through the draft. I’m gonna be completely honest, when I look at the roster, we have less holes than in recent memory or we seem to at least have a better plan than in the recent past.

Going into this years draft, “best player available” mantra actually is correct outside of the QB position (which is a biggy). Our roster allows us to really put aside needs and go full bpa

I agree - there are less holes. Have to draft well to keep it that way.

I don't think it's a lock that they draft a QB this year. If they sign or trade for a Veteran QB it might not make much sense, depending on what is given away to get him.

Much as I like Matty I, I'd be looking at him as trade bait and re-signing Settle. As already pointed out, Settle shows good promise and has youth on his side. But if, as likely, he goes via FA, I'd definitely try to extend Payne. then we'd be set at the 4 starting DL positions for 2 years at least.

Totally agree on signing a vet MLB, while bringing a promising rookie in. Wagner, for instance, could give us a good 2-3 years and really change this D's persona. Right now I'd prefer to redo Collins' contract and keep him in that hybrid role. Letting him go after he showed well in that role would likely be a waste of dead cap AND lost talent.

If we did all that, we could afford to pick the best QB available @ #11 and have picks left to at least bolster the depth across the board on D.

Much as I like Matty I, I'd be looking at him as trade bait and re-signing Settle. As already pointed out, Settle shows good promise and has youth on his side. But if, as likely, he goes via FA, I'd definitely try to extend Payne. then we'd be set at the 4 starting DL positions for 2 years at least.



Totally agree on signing a vet MLB, while bringing a promising rookie in. Wagner, for instance, could give us a good 2-3 years and really change this D's persona. Right now I'd prefer to redo Collins' contract and keep him in that hybrid role. Letting him go after he showed well in that role would likely be a waste of dead cap AND lost talent.



If we did all that, we could afford to pick the best QB available @ #11 and have picks left to at least bolster the depth across the board on D.

LB FA signing(s) will be interesting, plenty of very solid options, and since it's one of the most underpaid position, you can "go big" without worrying too much about cap.

Collins is interesting, yes he showed progress when playing LB... But we need to tone down this idea that he was somewhat elite... He was making some plays and tackling well, but he still did some mistakes in coverage and had some missed tackles. The contrast with how bad he was playing at S made it feel like he was awesome after the switch, he was just good.
Other thing is he doesn't want to be called a LB... Because he doesn't want LB money. So even if you redo his contract, do you really want to have 12+M tied to a lightweight LB who still can't cover ?

Won't be mad if he stays, he played well, but I say trade him for what you can.

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Collins is interesting, yes he showed progress when playing LB... But we need to tone down this idea that he was somewhat elite... He was making some plays and tackling well, but he still did some mistakes in coverage and had some missed tackles. The contrast with how bad he was playing at S made it feel like he was awesome after the switch, he was just good.
Other thing is he doesn't want to be called a LB... Because he doesn't want LB money. So even if you redo his contract, do you really want to have 12+M tied to a lightweight LB who still can't cover ?

Won't be mad if he stays, he played well, but I say trade him for what you can.

Would anyone likely trade for Collins though, given his contract and knowing he played better at LB last year than S? If he doesn't accept a permanent move to LB, I can't see how he stays or gets traded. Most likely a cut and swallow the dead money in that case. Hence a restructure might be better all round.

I don't see Collins getting traded. He'll restructure or he'll be released.