Verdict
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We all want to see things line up on defense and have a top 10 defense next year. But the tea leaves indicate that might not be likely due to salary cap limitations, and the draft may fall in such a way that the draft value does not line up with our defensive needs. That is just being realistic.
Everyone seems to be expecting Jerry to go with a blue chip defender at #10. Maybe he will. On the other hand, lets look at this another way. There is a very good chance that the top rated defender at #10 is NOT worth a top 10 pick, I doubt the Cowboys pull another Taco fiasco. We may need to replace Tyron. WE may have a DeVonte Smith, or Pitts staring at us, or a top flight OT when we are on the clock. I can really see Jerry going offense here, in spite of what some of you guys want. Both of the corners you guys keep pimping could already be gone by #10 as well.
I think somewhere in rounds 1, 2, 3 and the supplemental 3rd (four picks total) I can see Jerry going defense with two of them, minimum. What will those players be?
Let's look at free agency. Worst case scenario, I could see:
Jerry resigns Chido.
Lets J. Lewis walk.
Signs transitional player who is slightly better than Woods (NT)
X. Woods is gone.
I think in your first 5 rounds of the draft you might see:
3 Solid defensive players but no impact players from the foregoing --at any of these positions (CB, LB, DT, S)
1. one marginal fringe player who is a rotational piece only.
I think in free agency you will see cheap signings regarding the following: DT (think Woods type of player but slight upgrade in run stuffing), safety (not good, but better than X. Woods), linebacker (about like our current backups), nickle corner (Brown/Lewis quality)
So what would that leave you? Woods is upgraded. You are no worse at any of the other defensive position group after free agency The defense gets an improvement at 3 positions (CB, LB, DT, S) but none of them are impact players.
You get an improvement in coaching, slight upgrade in talent, you have everyone on the same page defensively. OT play will be better. Dak gets resigned. Defense gets protected by the offense.
Assuming all of the foregoing, your defense is in the 18-23 range, win the NFCE and get back in the playoffs needing timely turnovers to advance in the playoffs. Anything better than this will be even better.
.
Everyone seems to be expecting Jerry to go with a blue chip defender at #10. Maybe he will. On the other hand, lets look at this another way. There is a very good chance that the top rated defender at #10 is NOT worth a top 10 pick, I doubt the Cowboys pull another Taco fiasco. We may need to replace Tyron. WE may have a DeVonte Smith, or Pitts staring at us, or a top flight OT when we are on the clock. I can really see Jerry going offense here, in spite of what some of you guys want. Both of the corners you guys keep pimping could already be gone by #10 as well.
I think somewhere in rounds 1, 2, 3 and the supplemental 3rd (four picks total) I can see Jerry going defense with two of them, minimum. What will those players be?
Let's look at free agency. Worst case scenario, I could see:
Jerry resigns Chido.
Lets J. Lewis walk.
Signs transitional player who is slightly better than Woods (NT)
X. Woods is gone.
I think in your first 5 rounds of the draft you might see:
3 Solid defensive players but no impact players from the foregoing --at any of these positions (CB, LB, DT, S)
1. one marginal fringe player who is a rotational piece only.
I think in free agency you will see cheap signings regarding the following: DT (think Woods type of player but slight upgrade in run stuffing), safety (not good, but better than X. Woods), linebacker (about like our current backups), nickle corner (Brown/Lewis quality)
So what would that leave you? Woods is upgraded. You are no worse at any of the other defensive position group after free agency The defense gets an improvement at 3 positions (CB, LB, DT, S) but none of them are impact players.
You get an improvement in coaching, slight upgrade in talent, you have everyone on the same page defensively. OT play will be better. Dak gets resigned. Defense gets protected by the offense.
Assuming all of the foregoing, your defense is in the 18-23 range, win the NFCE and get back in the playoffs needing timely turnovers to advance in the playoffs. Anything better than this will be even better.
.
