Gregory suspension hurts but I think the DL could be closer then we think.
If Lawerence keeps improving not crazy to think he could improve on 8 sacks to say 10-14. It's not a given but it's not unrealistic to think.
Replacing Hayden will help everyone but should benefit Crawford the most. If he comes back stays healthy his sacks could improve from 5 to 8-11. Both aren't unrealistic projections for the players.
Between the two should have 18-25 sacks. Now this is where Gregory hurts us we need him to be replace Lawrence 2nd year production. (8 sacks)
That would be would be team sacks 26-33. Last year got 6 sacks from DBs and LBs combined. Now Team sacks is at 32-40. The backs ups had over 10 sacks (including hardy) That's a 42-50 sack defense.
I know this is assuming things go right but when you break it down per player it's pretty reasonable projection to make. Current line probably wouldn't be a 50 sack team but top three guys have enough talent to have 30 sacks between them.
Im hoping for that! But lets say lawrence isnt fully healed from his back surgery and without the double teams that hardy received get more attention. So coupled with a not 100% back and double teams he gets like 8 sacks. Crawford had his surgery as well but lets say that it was more minor ( labrum/rotator) so he gets 8. So between them they get 16
The left DE ( gregory) gets like 2 because hes still too small 235lbs and has 4 games of suspension. And thorton gets 2
So the starting D line gets 20 in total
Back ups of hayden, jack crawford, irving, and russel all chip in to give you 6 more sacks. Thats 26 total sacks
Add 6 from the dbs/ safeties and we get to 32 which will be bottom 5 in the league
