Going into the draft without any huge holes

[endersdragon]

I was looking at our roster the other day, and I just got to thinking how awesome it would be if we could enter the draft without the huge holes we have had the past couple years. As I see it right now our only huge holes are DT and DE, which both could easily be fixed through free agency. Our other slight holes would be at FS (which I don't think we are that horrible at, but it would be nice to get an improvement) and CB (assuming they negotiate Carr's contract down and don't release him, it's basically the same as our FS situation).

If we can fix those first two holes, it will really open us up to take BPA in any round no matter the position, and we won't have to try to make sure to get guys like D-Law (who I think will work out well for us and wasn't horrible value, but we had to trade to make sure to get him) and Smith (a great player no doubt, but we went into that draft thinking OT all the way... and possibly missed a guy named Watt in the process). It would be nice to maybe get another WR to pair with Dez, or another DE to pair with whoever we get in FA and D-Law, or another OT to be an upgrade for Free, or a CB, or a LB, or a RB, or a whatever.

 

[waving monkey]

It appears thats the going philosophy reading Garrett's comments
and looking at the last couple of off seasons.

More interior pressure would really help out this team.
Of course, the edge rushers too

 

[JoeyBoy718]

I think you have to look at what's available in the draft and free agency. Some years are strong in certain areas and weak in others. This is a pretty strong year for D-line in free agency and a weak year for secondary. I don't really follow the draft until closer to when it comes up so I couldn't tell you too much about its strengths and weaknesses. I think we'd have to consider guys like Suh and JPP to improve the D-line and maybe go secondary early in the draft.

 

[Vinnie2u]

There is a huge hole in the DL.. There are only 2 keepers Crawford and Lawrence.. The rest of the guys are cast offs and question marks.. We need at least 2 more impact players..

 

[endersdragon]

There is a huge hole in the DL.. There are only 2 keepers Crawford and Lawrence.. The rest of the guys are cast offs and question marks.. We need at least 2 more impact players..

That's what I said. But Mincey as a backup wouldn't be horrible, same with Selvie. The thing is though, this year it wouldn't be too hard to fix those two holes in FA, and go into the draft with 0 huge holes.

 

[CyberB0b]

I think, as always, there are huge question marks on the defense. Our LB corps is pretty thin, unless we decide to keep some of these guys. We are very thin at CB, and of course, the entire defensive line.

 

[big dog cowboy]

Let's see who we lose/add in FA before we start claiming holes in the roster.

For example - Everyone is planning on RoMc staying but you never know.

 

[Blackspider214]

Huge holes in DL, Safety and DB.

 

[endersdragon]

Huge holes in DL, Safety and DB.

And if we sign JPP and Suh will we have huge holes in DL? For that matter if we have that good of a pass rush will we have huge holes at DB?

 

[JoeKing]

Let's see who we lose/add in FA before we start claiming holes in the roster.

For example - Everyone is planning on RoMc staying but you never know.

There is great wisdom in that post.

 

[endersdragon]

Let's see who we lose/add in FA before we start claiming holes in the roster.

For example - Everyone is planning on RoMc staying but you never know.

Agreed, I am just saying it is certainly possible that we enter the draft without the huge holes we have had going into the draft the past 3 or 4 years. We just need them to play it smart.

 

[BigStar]

Let's see who we lose/add in FA before we start claiming holes in the roster.

For example - Everyone is planning on RoMc staying but you never know.

Agree and he was a big impact in making the D formidable. But those concussions (2?) in one season are a bit scary considering his position. The same somewhat relates to assuming Durant being resigned automatically when he may be end up being a luxury 4th LB if Ro is brought back. Lee-Ro-Hitchens as the starters and quite a bit of coin for 4-3 LBs. Saying that, JPP seems like the logical big FA considering what SUH would command and our lack of pass rush from the edge.

 

[anava]

Special teams draft?

 

[Wolfpack]

Special teams draft?

Booooooo

 

[xwalker]

I was looking at our roster the other day, and I just got to thinking how awesome it would be if we could enter the draft without the huge holes we have had the past couple years. As I see it right now our only huge holes are DT and DE, which both could easily be fixed through free agency. Our other slight holes would be at FS (which I don't think we are that horrible at, but it would be nice to get an improvement) and CB (assuming they negotiate Carr's contract down and don't release him, it's basically the same as our FS situation).

If we can fix those first two holes, it will really open us up to take BPA in any round no matter the position, and we won't have to try to make sure to get guys like D-Law (who I think will work out well for us and wasn't horrible value, but we had to trade to make sure to get him) and Smith (a great player no doubt, but we went into that draft thinking OT all the way... and possibly missed a guy named Watt in the process). It would be nice to maybe get another WR to pair with Dez, or another DE to pair with whoever we get in FA and D-Law, or another OT to be an upgrade for Free, or a CB, or a LB, or a RB, or a whatever.

Yes, it's best to fill needs in free agency and just focus on adding talent in the draft.

Zack Martin didn't seem like a need at the time because Leary/Bern were good in 2013, but adding an All Pro is good at any position.

I think they will add a free agent pass rusher, keep Carr with a paycut or replace him with a slight upgrade and either re-sign some of the LBs or add some other mid tier LB. They'll probably stay with what they've go at DT and Safety. On offense they'll keep everybody except possibly Murray.

That would leave RB as the only possible need to go with Randle and Ryan Williams, but it's a safe bet that you can find a decent RB in the draft; whereas most other positions a rookie might or might not contribute much.

 

[MikeT22]

Special teams draft?

I was going to post the same thing. Amazing how certain teams in the bottom of round 1 on a regular basis end of having quality drafts, but in the past when we have a talented team we have tended to get cute and draft potential over production or look for areas like special teams instead of just drafting BPA. Hopefully we've learned our lesson, not to mention we do actually have several needs, like DL, secondary, possibly RB and RT.

 

[RS12]

Define huge.