How much have we improved player personnel?

How much have we improved our personnel in the off-season? As usual, I have my opinions.

I think we really took a HUGE step up in the Defensive Backfield:

- Added All-Pro CB Josh Norman.
- Drafted a disruptive playmaker in SS S’ua Cravens.
- Stole a 1st Round quality CB in Kendall Fuller, if he recovers fully (knee).
- If CB Chris Culliver recovers fully, he could be a big boost, as well.
- Added David Bruton at SS. He’s a solid player who should help us.

We’ll be much stronger at TE:

- Get emerging star Niles Paul back from injury.
- Solid TE Logan Paulsen returns from injury, as well.
- Added former 1st Round pick Vernon Davis.

A strong WR group got even stronger:

- We added a very talented big WR in Josh Doctson.

The O-Line should be a little better:

- Our starting RG, Shawn Lauvao, returns from injury.
- Lauvao’s return allows us to move Spencer Long to C.
- More work is needed.

Unfortunately, we’re weaker at RB:

- Lost Alfred Morris.
- Lost D Young to clear the way in short yardage.

We’re in good shape at QB:

- Franchised Captain Kirk.
- Re-signed a solid backup in Colt McCoy.
- Added a nice developmental QB in Nate Sudfeld.

We’re much better at Edge Rusher:

- We finally should get sack master Junior Galette on the field.
- Preston Smith should really bring it in his second year.

The DL has added some depth but we didn’t get the star we need:

- Matt Ioannidis is better than you think but he’s a rookie.
- I think Trent Murphy can make the transition to DE but we’ll see.
- We get Stephen Paea back from injury.
- Ziggy Hood and kendall Reyes might be able to help out.

ILB is about the same:

- We re-signed Mason Foster.
- Need to get Will Compton signed.
- Perhaps we can get something out of Steven Daniels or Martrell Spaight.


Special Teams should be better:

- We added FA’s who are good ST players,
- We’re getting some very good ST players back from injury,
- Some of our draftees are good ST players.

I think we're better across the board except at defensive line. REALLY concerned about depth there. Loved taking BPA even though my b-hole puckered every time we passed on Billings. Obviously Scot knows more than we do, so I'm trusting him on this.

Cravens, Ioannis and Daniels should help against the run. Daniel's strenght is stopping the run. I think Marshall will surprise at RB.

I think we're better across the board except at defensive line. REALLY concerned about depth there. Loved taking BPA even though my b-hole puckered every time we passed on Billings. Obviously Scot knows more than we do, so I'm trusting him on this.

Yeah, my only conclusion is we are going more 4-3 than 3-4. the 5th rounder isn't a nt.

Im worried about Matt Jones who missed time last year and really don't have a RB behind him. Chris Thompson, Marshall...these are 3rd down backs.

This is where I'm hoping we resign Pierre Thomas as a backup plan.

This is where I'm hoping we resign Pierre Thomas as a backup plan.

Is Thomas an every down back if Jones is lost to injury...I don't think so. Had Ronnie Hillman sitting out there for awhile...

Hrm, I always thought he was for the Saints for a while. If not, that's a scary prospect.

The biggest thing with Matt Jones is him being able to break some tackles. He has a lot of Derrick Henry in him. A BEAST once he gets going, but damn he got tackled for no-gain so many times.

Yeah, my only conclusion is we are going more 4-3 than 3-4. the 5th rounder isn't a nt.

Im worried about Matt Jones who missed time last year and really don't have a RB behind him. Chris Thompson, Marshall...these are 3rd down backs.

They want Ioannis to gain 15-20lbs. My guess is they will resign Pierre Thomas.

Great list, and I agree with most. But I've said it in a couple threads so far; we go as Cousins goes.

Are we 9-7 again and the best of a bad division, or are we 11-5 against strong competition this year because Cousins genuinely is the real deal and takes yet another step forward?

I love following player personnel, but our 2016 season is all about Kirk. How well do he, McVay, and Gruden develop together.

Great list, and I agree with most. But I've said it in a couple threads so far; we go as Cousins goes.

Are we 9-7 again and the best of a bad division, or are we 11-5 against strong competition this year because Cousins genuinely is the real deal and takes yet another step forward?

I love following player personnel, but our 2016 season is all about Kirk. How well do he, McVay, and Gruden develop together.

Sure, but the best way to help Kirk would be to improve the running game. I don't think we did that this offseason so far. Center and the Running Back position we really didn't do a thing. Matt Jones taking a big step would of course squelch concerns. But a lot of questions remain imo. Pierre Thomas is a must unfortunately.