If we decide to cut some major checks on Defense These are the guys I want. Going by position. First choice is at the top of every list.
DTGerald McCoy: I think he's the best DT in the NFL. He's improved significantly every year. He plays the run very well and is a great pass rusher just like one of the other greats at DT from the Bucs. All that being said, Idk how likely it is that he leaves.
Ndamukong Suh: Great run stopper. Decent pass rusher. Brings that hit you in the month mentality that we need. Probably going to get more money than McCoy. It's basically a done deal the he leaves the Lions and we have a realistic chance of getting him.
Terrence Knighton: I really liked him while in Jacksonville (I even signed him in the SB game
). Last season he established himself as dominate run stopper and a very hard too move body. Probably going to be the best bargain.
SafetyDevin McCourty: McCourty is arguably the best S behind Earl Thomas and he's going to be paid like it.
Antrel Rolle Ever since being moved back to safety from CB Rolle has established himself as a great Safety. Although he's great he is 31 but our offense is a SB offense but they are old so we need ready to win SB players.
Tashaun Gipson This guy is very underrated and improving week by week. We might be able to get him for real cheap but I don't know if he's ready to be a key contributor on a SB defense but I don't think he'll cost us one. If we spend huge money at other positions then Gibson is my number one option at Safety.
LBBrandon Spikes: He's not too old can be had for probably the same money he's on now (around 3.5 mil) He's not bad at pass coverage and a great run defender. He was the only major addition that I can think of to the defense and they went from allowing 129 rush yards a game in 2013 to 71 rush yards a game this year and that's with the lose of Alonzo.
Sean Weatherspoon He started his career off great but hasn't been impressive the past few season. That could be because his teammates on defense are poop. decoud leaving has been beneficial for him so it could be for Weatherspoon
David Harris Harris has been underrated his whole career but is always playing at a high level. He's old and team seems to be getting rid of our old LBs so I doubt we go after him but i'd like him.
CBBrandon Flowers Idk why he was cut by the Chiefs but he's playing at a high level. With Jennings on the decline and our other CBs other than Fuller being trash we need depth. Flowers can our starter or nickle. If we sign him and move Jennings to nickle I don't anyone will be able to throw on us but this is most likely a pipe dream.
Walter Thurmond He's very good but unlike Flowers he might not be a pipe dream because of his off the field activities. Can probably had for cheap
Patrick Robinson He played well a couple seasons ago but declined last year. I think he would excel in the Nickle position and I think he his contract will be a steal.
I'm assuming we'd cut Allen with Young being our best Dlineman right now and that we'd still have a good amount of cap space with the peppers contract. The most realistic combo of players (Money wise) would be;
McCoy
Gibson
Spikes
Robinson
Now for the draft:
RD 1:
Eric Striker OLB: He is getting a lot of comparisons to Von Miller and I can definitely see it physique wise. We could be switching to the 3-4 soon so he'd be a perfect pick He's projected in the second round but I believe his stock is rising and will be a 1st rounder.
RD 2:
Derron Smith, FS: I've made my feelings about Smith clear but his stock is dropping and I think it's because Fresno is pure trash. He's projected as a 2nd rounder right now and I don't see him falling past that.
RD 3:
A.J. Johnson, ILB I believe he's been the best player for Tennessee since for the past couple of years. With the Briggs most likely gone, our current LBs not being all that good and the possible switch to 3-4 we could use another LB. If we do switch to the 3-4, drafting Johnson would allow use to move Bostic to OLB were I think he'll be a lot better, not great but not terrible.
RD 4:
Corey Crawford, DE: With Allen most likely gone we could use some depth at DE. Crawford is a very active player and can get in the back field.
RD 5:
Quandre Diggs, CB With our starters always getting hurt and our backups sucking we can never have enough CBs. He's small but a good cover guy. I think he's a good value pick in the 5th. His stock could rise after the combine.
RD 6:
Jake Smith, C We could use some youth at center with Garza being like 50. Smith can also play some G
RD 7:
Mitch Morse, OT We need depth at T and Mizzou always puts out good lineman.