I think I have figured out the perfect FA and draft plan for the defense

[Chris Meck]

Originally Posted by Kiimosabi

It's some seriously optimistic thinking to just pencil in Speaks as a starter when he hasn't done jack on the field yet.

Wishful thinking. You can say "I hope he's as good as we thought and he can start". I agree with that. But saying he's the starter? WHY? Other than that's what you hope for.

You have to assume that your young players improve and become players. It's not possible in the modern NFL to play any other way.

It's not true that Speaks didn't show anything. he showed pretty well as a pass rusher, and decent against the run. he looked bad at coverage, which he won't be asked to do anymore as a DE.