Needs for run defense next season?

[sublime4eva]

It's obvious we have problems on the DL, I think the need for a DT is one our biggest needs, that and maybe a LB, Fletcher is a short timer but I think we can acquire someone in FA to shore that spot up, with that being said, who do you hope we draft in 2014? I would love a guy like Clowney but he'll most likely be gone so the guy I really hope we can get is Will Sutton from ASU, any thoughts?

 

[Warpath]

We are gonna need DL and ILB help next year for certain.

We don't have a first round pick. So Clowney wouldn't be an option. And even if we were picking high, I don't think OLB would be a target position with Orakpo likely staying and Kerrigan already here.

I think someone like Andrew Jackson at ILB would be available later, in round 2 and would be a nice potential replacement for Fletcher.

 

[martinez]

andrew jackson wku, max bullough msu, any stanford front 7 guy.

 

[Skin'EmAll]

ILB...IMO trumps DT. I think Fletcher is done after this year.
Cofield is solid, Bowen is ok against the run, a solid DL FA would be great....not sure we could get a great starting DL in the draft especially in the 2nd.

 

[skinsdad62]

ILB...IMO trumps DT. I think Fletcher is done after this year.
Cofield is solid, Bowen is ok against the run, a solid DL FA would be great....not sure we could get a great starting DL in the draft especially in the 2nd.

not that you are doing this but guys it was one preseason game . i wouldnt scour the country for the next great run stopping d/lineman

right now the # 1 need is ILB followed by RT

that is subject to change .

 

[Lonewate44]

not that you are doing this but guys it was one preseason game . i wouldnt scour the country for the next great run stopping d/lineman

right now the # 1 need is ILB followed by RT

that is subject to change .

Sorta agree but I would switch RT and ILB...........

How could everyone forget the RT need we have all been screaming for????

 

[Warpath]

I'd put ILB ahead of RT. They can scheme around a weak RT and have proven that they can lead the league in yards per play despite Polumbus. The defense on the other hand, with a retiring Fletcher will take a rather sizable hit.

The minute Fletcher retires, his vacated starting spot becomes the biggest question mark on the team.

 

[Warpath]

IMO, weighted needs are:

1--- ILB
2--- RT
3--- DL

There are positions that still may need some attention next year based on what some young guys prove this year at WR and at CB. As well as Guard.

 

[j_y19]

It's really too early to tell, but its safe to assume that we will need an ILB next year for sure. RT is probably going to have to be addressed unless someone steps up their game this year. DL is a question mark until we see what happens with Carriker and how Jenkins performs after his suspension.

As for CB, I'm eager to see if we can get 2 quality starters from Amerson, Minniefield, Biggers or Crawford. I am actually fairly optimistic that we can.

 

[Skin'EmAll]

not that you are doing this but guys it was one preseason game . i wouldnt scour the country for the next great run stopping d/lineman

right now the # 1 need is ILB followed by RT

that is subject to change .

I agree with Skinsdad & Warpath that ILB is the #1 priority next year. (IMO)
I will say that has nothing to do with preseason. Also, my ranking for DL #2 could change based on what Orakpo and Kerrigan and perhaps even the other OLBs can do together this year.
Although I would hope we could land a balanced DL...that could average at least 7 sacks and be good in run support. IMO - finding a great DL would really allow our D to thrive and is a priority.

 

[Warpath]

It's really too early to tell, but its safe to assume that we will need an ILB next year for sure. RT is probably going to have to be addressed unless someone steps up their game this year. DL is a question mark until we see what happens with Carriker and how Jenkins performs after his suspension.

As for CB, I'm eager to see if we can get 2 quality starters from Amerson, Minniefield, Biggers or Crawford. I am actually fairly optimistic that we can.

Carriker to me, has proven that he's not reliable.

I think even if he returns, it would be important to add depth and young competition. Some of our guys will be or will be approaching 30 soon.

 

[j_y19]

You are probably right, Carriker may never wear the burgundy and gold again. Jenkins also hasn't really been as productive as expected, for a variety of reasons. When does Bowen's and Cofield's contracts expire? They were both 4 year deals, right?

 

[Warpath]

4-5 years can't remember.

I think Jenkins will eventually be good. Big dudes tend to have more trouble coming back from knee injuries than the smaller guys these days. All the explosiveness that the coaching staff was raving about early on wasn't evident last year, likely because of that to a degree.

But some good healthy competition and a better rotation would definitely do wonders. They made a big effort to do that for the ILB position this year. I think they could stand to take that same approach with the grunts next offseason.

 

[martinez]

its possible that we might need a safety after this year too. merriweathers health, rambo and thomas are still question marks that we didnt draft early. but i hope not.

 

[skinsdad62]

4-5 years can't remember.

I think Jenkins will eventually be good. Big dudes tend to have more trouble coming back from knee injuries than the smaller guys these days. All the explosiveness that the coaching staff was raving about early on wasn't evident last year, likely because of that to a degree.

But some good healthy competition and a better rotation would definitely do wonders. They made a big effort to do that for the ILB position this year. I think they could stand to take that same approach with the grunts next offseason.

perhaps we reached on jenkins but he still is a productive run stopper who does tie up blockers

you need those guys too as back-ups

but it cost a 2nd rounder