Expected defensive lineups?

[Rockport]

This was my problem with the draft. Not much on field impact

You could say that about most teams draft picks unless you’re picking in the top 10. Personally, I think both the 2nd and 3rd round picks are going to have a big impact.

 

[CowboysFaninHouston]

Figuring out what the first-down lineup will look like is a bit difficult for me because I don't know what Eberflus wants to do with Parsons on the early down. Does he play him at linebacker even though he doesn't like to blitz his linebackers? Does he leave him off the field on first down? I don't think that's likely, though it would be good to give him some rest on that down and save him for pass rush situations even though obviously teams do pass on first down. Eberflus's defense overall have been pretty good at stopping the run, so I do think there will be an emphasis on playing the bigs out there on first down.

1st and 10, 2nd and 6 or less, 3rd and 3 or less
RDE Marshawn Kneeland
NT Jay Toia/Mazi Smith
3T Mazi Smith/Osa Odighizuwa
LDE Payton Turner
WLB Kenneth Murray/Marist Liufau
MLB Jack Sanborn/Kenneth Murray
SLB Micah Parsons/Jack Sanborn
CB Shavon Revel
CB DaRon Bland
S Malik Hooker
S Donovan Wilson

The defensive line gives us size and potential run-stopping ability, but not much pass rush. Eberflus likes to rush four, but I see him using Parsons as an attack-the-line player and dropping a DL into zone if the offense decides to pass in these situations.

2nd and 7 or more, 3rd and 4 or more
RDE Micah Parsons/Dante Fowler
DT Osa Odighizuwa
DT Solomon Thomas/Mazi Smith
LDE Dante Fowler/Donovan Ezeiruaku
LB Marist Liufau
LB Kenneth Murray
CB Shavon Revel
CB Kaiir Elam
NCB DaRon Bland
S Malik Hooker
S Juanyeh Thomas

Still have to protect against the run some, but we'll want to get the pass rushers on the field.

2nd and 10-plus, 3rd and 8-plus
RDE Micah Parsons/Dante Fowler
DT Marshawn Kneeland/Payton Turner
DT Osa Odighizuwa/Sam Williams
LDE Donovan Ezeiruaku/Dante Fowler
LB Markquese Bell
LB Marist Liufau
CB Shavon Revel
CB Kairr Elam
NCB DaRon Bland
S Malik Hooker
S Juanyeh Thomas

This is essentially the NASCAR package.

Obviously, some of this will depend if players we picked up end up busting. It's hard to project whether the rookies will be ready to contribute from the start, and whether the trades will net us starters. Considering there's not much competition for the starting spots at linebacker and corner with Overshown and Diggs projected to start the season on PUP, I think Murray and Elam will play even if they aren't great. In fact, Elam may start over Revel if Revel is slow coming off his injury.

that is not a very good looking line up. safties SUCK. CBs all are coming off major injuries. the 3rd round pick is going to start the season on PUP list. the LBs are meh.

too many times I see Mazi smith on your lineups and it makes me cringe.

looks like a bottom 10 type defense.

 

[gimmesix]

that is not a very good looking line up. safties SUCK. CBs all are coming off major injuries. the 3rd round pick is going to start the season on PUP list. the LBs are meh.

too many times I see Mazi smith on your lineups and it makes me cringe.

looks like a bottom 10 type defense.

I think we'll get pressure because of Parsons, Fowler, Odighizuwa and Ezeiruaka, but it may not matter if teams can run on us and the coverage isn't great. Eberflus likes to use Cover 3, though, so technically you don't have to have great corners. Everyone just has to do their job. They can't if they are having to cheat up for run defense because the line is porous.