Almost Retired wrote:Dresden wrote:Next year's draft and FA will have to be about defense again. We spent 5 of 8 picks on offense this year, including the top 3 picks. There aren't many more holes to fill on that side of the ball, other than RB. Some early mocks have us taking the RB from ND in the first round. Other than that though, we will likely need at least one more edge, possibly a DT depending on how long Billings and Garrett are going to play, likely at least one LB to replace Edmunds, and maybe a second unless someone steps up, likely a safety, and possibly a corner. So that's like 5 players. Should be very doable.
Hopefully each offseason becomes less about desperately fixing bad positions, and more about building for the future and depth.
I'm not sure if we desperately need an EDGE as much as some people seem to think. We signed Dayo in the off season. And Dennis Allen might want to use Shemar Turner at Defensive End, which is where he played in 2023-2024 when he had his best year statistically. He only moved inside for his last year at Texas A7M to accommodate Nic Scourton who had transferred over from Purdue. Dennis Allen doesn't necessarily like to utilize mid size Defensive ends, the guys in the 6'3" - 6'4" and 245-265 pound range. He's got a different philosophy. And we can't dismiss Daniel Hardy and Austin Booker as rotation guys to give our starters a breather. And who knows which veteran players from other teams that will get released at some point due to salary cap issues. If Sweat is still all we have at EDGE then for sure we need to expend a high pick for that position no later than the 2nd round next year.
If all goes well, then yes, we'll be set at Edge. It would be nice if Booker becomes a decent player, and if Dayo lives up to his contract. And if they decide to use Turner at Edge and he performs, then we're set there. But I could see some of those moves not working out, and us needing more help on the outside next year.
