This is probably the unit where I have the most pessimism. Asking two rookies to step right in and be solid or better is a lot, and I like LDR but not enough where I think he and Redmond can hold it down on their own for an entire season. Maybe I should just look at the Tillery and Bullard season and relax, but I think the DL is probably more likely to be the explanation for a bad year on defense than the secondary that seems to be getting more attention.
I would not go as far as pessimistic but there is a lot of youth and some might not take a step forward. Personally I am intrigued by Elijah Williams but this is the year to show he is really an NFL player or not (a solid rotational piece would be a fine outcome)
As for Banks, I assume Flores must have banged a hole through the table for him as while I get the logic, he really has not shown that much (to be a first round pick) so far in college. But who knows, he certainly is a freak and if things click it will be a great pick.
Yeah, long term, I feel alright about the talent they have. I just feel like for this year the expectation should be that they struggle. Sometimes rookies walk in and are great right away, which is why the variance is so high, but as far as what is most likely to happen, I think we should expect them to struggle this year and be a solid unit next season.
This is probably the unit where I have the most pessimism. Asking two rookies to step right in and be solid or better is a lot, and I like LDR but not enough where I think he and Redmond can hold it down on their own for an entire season. Maybe I should just look at the Tillery and Bullard season and relax, but I think the DL is probably more likely to be the explanation for a bad year on defense than the secondary that seems to be getting more attention.
I would not go as far as pessimistic but there is a lot of youth and some might not take a step forward. Personally I am intrigued by Elijah Williams but this is the year to show he is really an NFL player or not (a solid rotational piece would be a fine outcome)
As for Banks, I assume Flores must have banged a hole through the table for him as while I get the logic, he really has not shown that much (to be a first round pick) so far in college. But who knows, he certainly is a freak and if things click it will be a great pick.
Yeah, long term, I feel alright about the talent they have. I just feel like for this year the expectation should be that they struggle. Sometimes rookies walk in and are great right away, which is why the variance is so high, but as far as what is most likely to happen, I think we should expect them to struggle this year and be a solid unit next season.