Defensive Ends, personnel questions

Naz Jones moving to DE tells me that Dion is done in Seattle.

This is how I see things shaping up. In terms of numbers, we need to replace three bodies. At the same time, we need to get better, against both the run and the pass. Add to that the fact that Clark is about to get a significant chunk of the cap, and Reed is due for a pricey extension, and D-Line is looking to require a massive investment this offseason.

Reed and Clark are quality starters. Poona Ford is a quality backup who could push for a starting role. Jacob Martin can contribute as a specialist, and Quentin Jefferson can contribute as a rotational sub at multiple positions. 5-Tech is the biggest area needing an upgrade - Jones (position switch, sophomore slump) and Green (redshirt year) are big question marks. Stephen, Jordan, and Jackson, all UFAs, will ideally be replaced by better players.

In an ideal world we would bring in two starters (5-tech DE, 3-tech DT) and a backup (9-tech DE). Both the draft and free agency are stacked at the D-line so this is a great year to have to do it.

LE/5TECH------NT/1TECH------DT/3TECH------RE/9TECH
[NEW]-------------J. REED----------[NEW]-----------F. CLARK
N. JONES--------P. FORD----Q. JEFFERSON---------[NEW]
R. GREEN------------------------------------------------J. MARTIN

Free Agents
F. Clark [UFA] - Franchise
Q. Jefferson [RFA] - Tender
S. Stephen [UFA] - replace
D. Jordan [UFA] - replace
B. Jackson [UFA] - replace

At this stage I suspect the reason why the team has added DT- Meder is to replace Stephen as a run stuffing DT. To me getting more from Naz Jones seems to be important as he was not used much in 2018, and certainly flashed an ability to rush the passer last season. To me Jefferson has earned being re-upped.

I'm good with what the team decision is on Jordan which will be very health driven. For him it will be very driven by cost as he was expensive for what he returned last season yet was coming on at the end of the year. Re-signing and keeping Clark is a priority while adding to the 3 tech pile (the continuing search) something they need to try to accomplish along with drafting an edge rusher.

I don’t know that the move of Naz to 5 tech is a subtle announcement that Jordan is gone as Quinton Jefferson and Brandon Jackson are both ERFAs and both may not be re-upped, though Jefferson as above deserves to be kept. Naz is better at rushing the QB than being disciplined in his gap which is why he’s lost PT as a 3 Tech. I see 3 tech as a draft need and a continuing team search. Both DT and DE are offseason priorities.

The team has until March 5th, the day after the combine ends to franchise tag or transition tag Frank Clark. The franchise tag number for DEs this year is $17.143 million which becomes guaranteed the day Clark signs the tender.

I'm sure the team would prefer to avoid having to use the tag on Clark as it rather complicates cap planning going forward given the need to deal with Wilson and Wagner. The silence from the team on anything surrounding Clark recently indicates to me they are hard at the negotiations with Clark.

The cupboard is rather bare at DE with only Rasheem Green here as a true DE and that is a potentially expensive position to fill with players who are genuinely effective at edge rushing. If Clark can get done w/o the tag it opens up securing other positions where the tag might be a useful strategic tool for the team.

I hope they sign some tier level 2 free agents on that d-line. DLineman take some time to develop most of the time and even after drafting some this year I’d like to see some veteran help. Im sure they’ll do it since they’ve done it Manu time son the past

After the trade of Frank Clark to KC I thought this thread should be bumped up for more discussion.

The team reacquired DE- Cassius Marsh as a depth player, and veteran Nate Orchard who is more often a SOLB or 3-4 rush OLB

DEs signed at present are:

- Rasheem Green- who should be expected to take a step forward in his 2nd season. Is he a LDE base end or could he be a rush end from the LEO spot? He will certainly need to grow stronger physically to improve this season. I see him as a LDE and more of a Michael Bennett style player (as his goal), if there is a single player the team wants to show significant improvement he's the guy.

- Cassius Marsh- who is a relief player at LEO, he can rush the QB but is often undisciplined.

- Nate Orchard, don't know, but suspect he will be more a ST player and a SOLB to compete with Mingo for his spot.

- Jacob Matin, is shown by me as a SOLB but I think he's a high upside young player who could become a competitor for a LEO job.

In different packages down and distance the team uses some 3-4 concepts with their personnel having several 5 tech types playing LDE those are:

LDE- Quinton Jefferson, Brandon Jackson, and apparently Naziar Jones, these three are better against the run but all can with differing degrees of effectiveness get upfield and pressure the QB. At least one of these three may not make the team if the other two beat him out in TC. Naz Jones has the size and ability to play DT if needed.

This group as a whole has no proven player who is consistently able to get after the QB and the Rush End is without a doubt the most critically import need for the team going into the draft.

jammerhawk":3pgag47c said:

This group as a whole has no proven player who is consistently able to get after the QB and the Rush End is without a doubt the most critically import need for the team going into the draft.

Click to expand...

Unfortunately, I couldn't agree more with this sentence.