This defense has stepped up in the past couple of weeks and Ive been very impressed. But we still need a number of guys to really step into the elite realm of the Packers, Broncos, 49ers.
First and foremost, and what is no secret to us, we need a pass rsuher. Not just any, a stud. Packers have Clay, 49ers have Aldon and Smith, Broncos have Elvis and Von Miller. Problem is, they dont comes around very often. Guys like Demarcus Ware are unique. Von Miller is 1 in a million, a rookie who can come in and immediatley dominate his rookie year.
Not only that, but we need 2 pass rushers. 1 isnt enough anymore. 1 elite guy, Acho/OBS will be the #2 guy, and CC will be supplemental. We need guys who put up 12-14 sacks. As a 3-4 DE, CC will never come close. Still, we keep him for ability on the line. Theres a few good prospects in the draft. Whitney Mercilius who most of you know of by now would be the #1 option. He will be a stud. I dont think he'll fall to hus in the teens. After him, a guy like Zach Brown wouldnt be a bad choice. Hes very undersized (only in the 220s), but hes very fast and flexible around the Tackles. Be really cool to have Him and Washington. 2 sideline-to-sideline speed LBs would make us a very dynamic defense. But again, Whitney is the real prize.
We need ADubs replacement. Hes been playing very well this year. Incredible turnaround from last year. His hangup has always been coverage, but hes dont great this season. Kind of feel like id like to switch it up and go after more of a ballhawk SS, rather than a 5th lnebacker, as ADub is now basically. Slightly smaller guy than Adub who can still hit guys and make plays at the line, but strikes fear into QBs more in coverage. With a SS,FS, and 2 stud CB's, our pass D would become elite.
On that note, we need a #2 CB. Practically need 2 #1's nowadays. Jefferson, while I never believed in him in the first place, just cant hang. Marshall and Adams are simply too small. Toler is a career #2-3 guy. Guys act like this season wouldve been different had we had Toler but forget if we still had DRC, Toler would be #3 behind PP. I look to the draft for one. IMO, if we cant get the OLB we want in the 1st, and I rather not reach on a LT, Id like to spend our 1st round pick on one of the CBs available this year. Its a consideraly deep class. While of course everyone wants Claiborne (and a Claiborne/PP LSU connection would be sick), theres still guys ranked as the 3rd/4th best CB who would come here and be an upgrade.
I think we're solid otherwise. Bradley will someday be a great MLB for us, though I dont know when. Once we get that elite OLB, we'll be solid there. Entire O line stays. All of them. DD,CC,DW,Eason,Carter,Vonnie. Great crew. They all make plays.