What does this defense need to be elite?

It used to seem like we were just one or two players from having an elite offense. Now, I feel like we can say that about our defense. It's already looking very good, but what do we need to take it over the top?

Here's my opinion:

1) Left cornerback. Anthony Brown has played about as well as he can, but if we can find a high-caliber starting corner to pair with Diggs, it'll be tough for QBs to figure who to attack. The good news is that we might already have that player in Joseph.

2) Interior defensive lineman on the same level as Lawrence and Gregory. I think we've got some decent young tackles in Gallimore and Odighizuwa, but we don't have that disruptor that teams have to scheme against. Maybe the young guys can develop into that kind of player, but it's not a given.

3) Ball-hawking free safety. While we could have the first two positions mentioned already on this team, our options are more limited at FS. Mukuamu is really our only hope there, and it's a big ask for him to become that player. I'm not down on Kazee and Hooker and would like to have at least one return, but any upgrade we'll probably have to come through the draft.

4) Second linebacker to pair with Parsons. LVE hasn't turned into what we hoped when we drafted him. He's most likely gone next year. Maybe Jabril Cox can replace him, but he seems more like a replacement for Neal based on his skill set. If we had a run-destroying linebacker who could cover to line up with Parsons, we'd be very solid in the middle.

Because we have Joseph, I think our focus defensively next year needs to be on those other three positions. What we have this year is more than many of us expected, and maybe with a few more additions, we can get back to Doomsday.

Stuff the run on a regular basis and get pressure with a four man line.

Another playmaker no matter what position. We have playmakers already but one more playmaker would be invaluable to this defense.

Excellent assessment. Gonna have to be addressed through the draft unless contract’s are restructured to free up money for free agents

I'm all for improving, but our D is already elite. It is in the conversation for best in the league, might already be there. Just need to show out against Arizona who has a good QB to know for sure.

gimmesix said:

It used to seem like we were just one or two players from having an elite offense. Now, I feel like we can say that about our defense. It's already looking very good, but what do we need to take it over the top?

Here's my opinion:

1) Left cornerback. Anthony Brown has played about as well as he can, but if we can find a high-caliber starting corner to pair with Diggs, it'll be tough for QBs to figure who to attack. The good news is that we might already have that player in Joseph.

2) Interior defensive lineman on the same level as Lawrence and Gregory. I think we've got some decent young tackles in Gallimore and Odighizuwa, but we don't have that disruptor that teams have to scheme against. Maybe the young guys can develop into that kind of player, but it's not a given.

3) Ball-hawking free safety. While we could have the first two positions mentioned already on this team, our options are more limited at FS. Mukuamu is really our only hope there, and it's a big ask for him to become that player. I'm not down on Kazee and Hooker and would like to have at least one return, but any upgrade we'll probably have to come through the draft.

4) Second linebacker to pair with Parsons. LVE hasn't turned into what we hoped when we drafted him. He's most likely gone next year. Maybe Jabril Cox can replace him, but he seems more like a replacement for Neal based on his skill set. If we had a run-destroying linebacker who could cover to line up with Parsons, we'd be very solid in the middle.

Because we have Joseph, I think our focus defensively next year needs to be on those other three positions. What we have this year is more than many of us expected, and maybe with a few more additions, we can get back to Doomsday.

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Just be consistent

I'm not sure they need anyone else. Just do the same thing to more high-powered offenses. Just continue on the track they are on.

Depth on the DLine, and a ballhawking FS who runs circles around The Flash. Kazee is OK, and an upgrade from what we had for sure, but a stud back there would vault this D into another realm.

Just replace LVE with a real NFL LB.

Tio said:

I'm all for improving, but our D is already elite. It is in the conversation for best in the league, might already be there. Just need to show out against Arizona who has a good QB to know for sure.

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Our defense has looked very good against some not-so-great offenses. Not sure it is elite. I do think we'll learn a lot about it against Arizona, but even more so if we face teams like the Packers and Rams. I don't think this defense is quite comparable abilitywise to the Ravens and Bears Super Bowl defenses or even our 1990s defenses. Those defenses could shut down even the best offenses.

Definitely curious to see how this defense reacts when they face a team that can run and pass consistently. Rams… Bucs… Pack. Three teams that can kind of do it. Teams are going to try and play us like wee played other teams in the past… run the ball and get into 3rd and manageable. Don’t let those great qbs stand in the pocket and get hit

An above average to good linebacker opposite Micah Parsons.

Step 1: Keep Jayron Kearse and Randy Gregory

By today's standards, it is already elite. The biggest factors in outcome of games past 10 years have been being able to pass more efficiently on offense, stopping the pass on defense and TO differentials. Our defense is tops in most pass defense metrics and number 1 in TOs.

gimmesix said:

Our defense has looked very good against some not-so-great offenses. Not sure it is elite. I do think we'll learn a lot about it against Arizona, but even more so if we face teams like the Packers and Rams. I don't think this defense is quite comparable abilitywise to the Ravens and Bears Super Bowl defenses or even our 1990s defenses. Those defenses could shut down even the best offenses.

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Thats not entirely true. Even the 1990s defenses gave up points to the 49ers and other elite offenses. They lost 3-4 games per average during those SB years. Not to mention the fact that you can't have a realistic expectation for ANY defense in todays time to match up to the ones back then. Free agency, and rule changes make that not possible. I honestly think our defense is elite already, as they are in the conversation for best in the league. I don't think its realistic to talk about about having above average players at every single position on the defense, it just doesn't work that way.

I actually think the interior defensive line is in good shape. We’ve got a lot of young players there with a ton of upside. I’m certainly not saying we should pass on a great DT if one fell in our laps, but I think other positions should take precedent. Those include a safety, another LBer, and most importantly a LT. Depending on who we resign in the off-season, we might need a RB and WR. Maybe even a TE.

Jstopper said:

Thats not entirely true. Even the 1990s defenses gave up points to the 49ers and other elite offenses. They lost 3-4 games per average during those SB years. Not to mention the fact that you can't have a realistic expectation for ANY defense in todays time to match up to the ones back then. Free agency, and rule changes make that not possible. I honestly think our defense is elite already, as they are in the conversation for best in the league. I don't think its realistic to talk about about having above average players at every single position on the defense, it just doesn't work that way.

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This here. We gave up 27 and 31 to teams that year with our high powered defense and didn't play the super powers all year until the playoffs. We basically had an easy schedule in 91 except for the NFC east and the play offs.

Speed at free safety (Brown).
Another speedy LB (Cox).

An interior DL that can push the pocket and stuff the run.

A Vea clone would be nice.

We have great speed/finesse rushers. We need someone who can quickly and forcefully drive a guard and/or Center into the QB on a regular basis.

I am very happy with our DTs much more so than what I thought I would be. We need another D heavy draft with OL. Need another LT, FS, DE. I think Cox with what I saw gives us a great partner to Parsons. A lot of us wanted JOK but at that time in the draft if just made no sense after Parsons and we got Joseph and Cox in place of JOK. In the long term I think that works out. If we had drafted Surtain then I think JOK would have been a great fit. So glad we got Parsons instead. He is not a HOF yet but he does have HOF athleticism, HOF motor, HOF instincts, HOF versatility, All-Pro football intelligence, All-Pro leadership by example... This is his first year and it is obvious he is a sponge. Part of me wants him to stay raw because he is almost better without knowing what he is doing but I have seen throughout the season that it is very clear he is learning a TON about positions and reads. Give him just some time because we have already seen his floor and his ceiling is probably the highest I have ever seen with a player this raw and this dominant already. When his leadership comes to match the other traits this is the wildest combination because he is not only the best player but that glue guy as well. He is picking up the trash and making everyone better. Tank I think got worn down having to be the every down solo pass rusher with double teams. He looks rejuvenated. Gregory had so much vigor at the beginning of the season becoming Tank and you can tell that Parsons added that fire to him too. We need to get a VERY team friendly deal with Gregory and push Tank off another year with restructuring if he gets us to The Dance. Kearse another ultimate glue guy that is in the mold of Donovan Wilson and Anthony Brown that this team likes. He was an afterthought that just refused to accept that outcome.

Obviously, my feelings on draft is always BPA. You come out of drafts with 4-5 players that can stick and what you lose in FA doesn't kill the depth of your team. Each position you don't think you need now is a position you will need 2 years from now. RB, is Zeke here two years from now? WR, is Gallup or Cooper here? OL... We obviously have our remaining weaknesses and want to fill them early but the clear lesson from the draft is if Ceedee is there you **** and thank God he fell to you. I wanted Diggs with our 1st and Gallimore or another DT with our 2nd and we got them both and Lamb a round later. We had the #1 offense because we prioritized it in the draft. We have the #1 defense now because we prioritized it. We need one more year to solidify it and then balance going forward. Currently we have several stop gaps and FA that are doing well but won't be here going forward. Use the draft, keep OUR talent in house.