Originally Posted by duncan_idaho
I strongly disagree with the thesis that the Chiefs have not improved as much as the Bengals and Eagles.
Defensively, the Chiefs' "significant" losses are Juan Thornhill and Frank Clark. Charles Omenihu is an upgrade over a full season from Clark. You can make a good case that year 2 Brian Cook (who came on well at the end of the year) + Mike Edwards is at least as good as Thornhill + rookie Cook, an there's more upside.
The rest of the secondary, which featured 3 rookie CBs, including one who missed a big chunk of the season due to the shitty turf in Arizona, should be improved in year 2. Especially McDuffie. Sneed is Sneed.
So, overall, a better secondary for 2023 is a reasonable expectation.
The pass D will also be upgraded with the addition of Drue Tranquill, a proven vetern who defends the pass well at the LB spot. He upgrades KC at the WLB spot, and allows Willie Gay to play SLB, improving pass coverage there, too. Tranquill offers a major improvement as the dime LB, too, in pass coverage, should the Chiefs treat him like Ben Niemann.
In addition to upgrading one DE spot, the Chiefs also added a day 1 pick at DE, will get a better version of Karlaftis in year 2, and have bought in some rookies who can fill specific roles well.
Offensively, the T combo is potentially a nice upgrade from Brown/Wylie. A healthy Donovan Smith is roughly as good as a pass protector as "good" Orlando Brown, and Jawaan Taylor offers a significant upgrade from Andrew Wylie. Better OL, and a WR room whose floor is similar to 2022, wtih significantly more upside.
So, I would say that the Chiefs upgraded stylistically at T, in upside at WR, and have strengthened their back 7 significantly.
What have the Bengals done? They added Orlando Brown, Jr. at LT, who I don't see as a major upgrade from Jonah Williams. Jonah Williams, if/when healthy, may give them a nice bump from end-of-year at RT, but his issues vs. power rushers would still be present there.
I'll predict the "Orlando Brown upgrade" talk turns quickly to "Orlando Brown contract disaster" talk when he underperforms the contract as a pass protector and the Bengals have to stop taking deep drops without giving him help.
I don't see major improvements there, especially when there's the matter of some key losses on defense (both safeties). Myles Murphy is a nice addition at DE, but usually when a player falls like that, there's a reason. I would guess he gives them a Karlaftis like impact, though.
As for the Eagles, the offense looks similar, but the D lost a lot. Chauncey Gardner-Johnson is really good. The LB was a loss (and I don't buy the Nakobe Dean hype). The DL will be counting on some unproven guys to step in for proven veterans, one of them the biggest force multiplier on their DL.
The Eagles also are going to play a much tougher schedule this year, with more strong/complete offeneses and competant QBs.
I don't see really any improvements for the Eagles. No personnel upgrades, just hoping young players adequately replace departed vets.
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