Possible trade with Vikings...Trae Waynes

[DJ's left nut]

Originally Posted by O.city

They need to get some CB cheap labor from somewhere. They're gonna run into financial issues if they can't hit on a few draft picks at CB.

The Fields guy becoming a nice option early would be beneficial.

Ward qualifies. They'll have him for 3 more years (final year as an RFA, IIRC) and if he can be a credible #2, that's enormous.

If Fields or Smith could step up as a legit NCB, that would also remove some pressure. But they'll be thiiiiiiiin even if their starters get to solid. That defensive backfield just really got bad in a hurry and they haven't thrown a lot of assets at it over the last few years.

[O.city]

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

Ward qualifies. They'll have him for 3 more years (final year as an RFA, IIRC) and if he can be a credible #2, that's enormous.

If Fields or Smith could step up as a legit NCB, that would also remove some pressure. But they'll be thiiiiiiiin even if their starters get to solid. That defensive backfield just really got bad in a hurry and they haven't thrown a lot of assets at it over the last few years.

Yeah, seems like it hasn't worked out in the draft for anyone they really like there but they also haven't been aggressive.

I'm guessing that's the next spot that gets some reinforcements but there were some nuggets on twitter that they didn't really think CB was the issue last year anyway.

[DJ's left nut]

Originally Posted by O.city

Yeah, seems like it hasn't worked out in the draft for anyone they really like there but they also haven't been aggressive.

I'm guessing that's the next spot that gets some reinforcements but there were some nuggets on twitter that they didn't really think CB was the issue last year anyway.

I didn't think CB was the problem either.

Safety play and LB's having no idea how to operate in space was killing them over the middle. Nelson played solid ball and Ward played quite well when he took over. Fuller, after a rockie first few weeks, was among the league leaders in productivity in coverage.

The CBs were mediocre, but they weren't nearly as god-awful as the rest of the D. A shitty run defense putting the D in horrid down/distance situations that allowed passing games to target our weak spots in LB coverage and safety was what really killed us. When the CBs have to bail early because the Safeties aren't of any use, it's easy to get underneath them for those 5-7 yard easy pitches and catches that keep the chains moving.

I think we've upgraded S immensely but the LBs man...{shudder}. That's still a rough group. Lee finally learning to use his athleticism as a coverage LB would sure be nice.

[O.city]

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

I didn't think CB was the problem either.

Safety play and LB's having no idea how to operate in space was killing them over the middle. Nelson played solid ball and Ward played quite well when he took over. Fuller, after a rockie first few weeks, was among the league leaders in productivity in coverage.

The CBs were mediocre, but they weren't nearly as god-awful as the rest of the D. A shitty run defense putting the D in horrid down/distance situations that allowed passing games to target our weak spots in LB coverage and safety was what really killed us. When the CBs have to bail early because the Safeties aren't of any use, it's easy to get underneath them for those 5-7 yard easy pitches and catches that keep the chains moving.

I think we've upgraded S immensely but the LBs man...{shudder}. That's still a rough group. Lee finally learning to use his athleticism as a coverage LB would sure be nice.

There's just no way Hitchens is what he was last year. I think the new system will help the LB's or atleast hopefully it does.

Lee actually being what his athleticism says he could be, would be huge. If he could be like, what, a poor mans Shazier?