ILB is a huge need even if Simmons blossoms into a Star

[DVontel]

Hicks is a straight up liability & has been for a while.


Campbell has cooled off from early season start

Outside of safety, need help damn near everywhere on defense.

 

[Zeem_Freeze]

Hicks led the defense in tackles last year.

He's got an ankle and wrist injury yet still tied for team lead in tackles this year. Team leader in tackles aint a liability.

 

[DVontel]

Hicks led the defense in tackles last year.

He's got an ankle and wrist injury yet still tied for team lead in tackles this year. Team leader in tackles aint a liability.

He led an atrocious defense in tackling. That’s awesome.


Also neat to see him become a massive liability in coverage & now the run.

 

[oaken1]

He led an atrocious defense in tackling. That’s awesome.


Also neat to see him become a massive liability in coverage & now the run.

Ronnie McKinnon led us in tackles for years

 

[Jetstream Green]

I think LB ironically like our OL is now the least of our worries... we need secondary depth

 

[DVontel]

I think LB ironically like our OL is now the least of our worries... we need secondary depth

Just CB.

We’re set at Safety.

 

[GatorAZ]

Ronnie McKinnon led us in tackles for years

As did Paris Lennon I believe.

 

[Krangodnzr]

Yeah Hicks has been trash most of the year.

 

[Chopper0080]

I don't think I am cutting him next year, but I would like to see his role in nickel packages reduced.

 

[overseascardfan]

Hicks is a straight up liability & has been for a while.


Campbell has cooled off from early season start

Outside of safety, need help damn near everywhere on defense.

I agree that it will be a need this offseason if Campbell bolts because at minimum depth will need to be addressed. Not sure what the FA market will offer but first 3 rounds of draft will go Pass rusher, CB, OL. I don’t think we have a 4th or 6th rounder this year so unless you find a gem in Round 5 the position will most likely have to be filled in draft unless we get more picks.
I was all for signing Littleton but looks like LV is regretting the contract they gave him already.

 

[Chopper0080]

Nick Bolton would be a nice fit but I am not sure he falls to us in round 2 and I am not sure I want another high draft pick used for an ILB.

 

[AZCrazy]

Call Campbell play the Sam? Campbell and Simmons sounds better in the coming year than Campbell instead of Simmons.

 

[Finito]

Our offense looks damn good I think we are a good RB away from being special

now our defense on the other hand. We need pass rushers, linebackers and corners

 

[WindCardinal]

Unfortunately we have far bigger needs than replacing Jordan Hicks.

 

[DVontel]

Unfortunately we have far bigger needs than replacing Jordan Hicks.

Literally just CB & probably EDGE.

 

[Chopper0080]

Literally just CB & probably EDGE.

Yeah. CB CB OLB ILB DE, in that order until FA changes it. (Cardinals need to figure out Peterson, Chandler's contract, Golden, Reddick , and Campbell).

CB will be interesting because of talent level (or lack thereof) in FA and the draft.

 

[WindCardinal]

Literally just CB & probably EDGE.

yeah but you could argue that we need 2 of both positions. 3-4 DE/DT is still a bigger concern than Hicks as well IMO

 

[SoonerLou]

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[DVontel]

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[BritCard]

Nick Bolton would be a nice fit but I am not sure he falls to us in round 2 and I am not sure I want another high draft pick used for an ILB.

Wouldn't it be nice if we could scout and pick up guys like Dre Greenlaw in round 5 or Bobby Okereke in the 3rd.

Hell, we could have had Mack Wilson last year instead of the total waste on Hakeem Butler.

 

[BritCard]

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I normally would put a reasonable amount of stock in PFF grades but they have been awful this year. There are a lot that are head scratchers.

 

[Garthshort]

IMO, CB is our biggest need, and I'd be happy with two of them in the first three rounds.

 

[ReasonableMan]

Just CB.

We’re set at Safety.

2. One for the number 2 wr and one competent nickel or depth player

 

[BritCard]

I did a completely pointless mock draft just to see who might fall to us, with the intention of double dipping at corner and taking an Edge too.

I came away with,

1. Jaycee Horn, CB
2. Hamilcar Rashed Jr, Edge
3. Jaelen Philips, Edge
5. Master Teague, RB

There were no CB's on the board worth the pick after round 1 and while Jaelen Philips is risk I don't mind using a 3rd on 5 star recruits with all the tools and tonnes of upside.

I think OLB is a bigger need than people think. CJ looked cooked before injury, we have no idea what level he will be at a year older. Golden will be 30 next season and may well not resign, especially if they resign Reddick, and Kennard is not a pass rusher. He's more a edge setter, coverage sack, mop up guy.

If we want to win a SB we need 2 legit pass rushers.

 

[WhyAlwaysMe]

ILB is a tough position: if you’re not fast enough then RBs and TEs burn you and you’re a liability in coverage. If you’re not big enough you can’t get off any blocks and you’re a liability against the run.

I think the best way to navigate the issue is to pick the best big defensive linemen you can, hope they can occupy the blockers enough, and have smaller and faster players everywhere else. Or get a guy like Simmons that can conceivably do it all.