Let's Talk Defense

[Adoni Beast]

Since the majority of the board has migrated South (offseason) for the winter (and rightfully so) the majority of the talk has been QB / OL / WR / OC / HC / GM.

But let's take a look at our situation with the defense going into 2024 (under the assumption this regime is unchanged). In what is clearly the strength of the team, will this unit be better, worse, about the same?

Notable Free Agents:

• Carl Lawson - he is definitely a goner and a real shame that he got injured because I think he would have been really good. (UFA: Savings $15,000,000)
• Jordan Whitehead - a good player for us, and this could go either way. If we lose him we have no replacement and who knows what kind of condition Chuck Clark will be in (another free agent). I think we try and resign him and should unless his asking price is insane. (UFA: RETAIN)
• Chuck Clark - really dependent upon how his recovery is, but it would seem that an almost 30 year old player coming off of that injury won't be worth trying to sign (UFA: Savings $5,100,000)
• Quinton Jefferson - a nice surprise this year honestly and I think it makes sense to keep him on a short-term deal over Solomon Thomas. (UFA: RETAIN but will probably ask for a final pay day and someone will overpay)
• Solomon Thomas - no need to dive deep into this one if we keep Jefferson (UFA: Savings $2,350,000) and if we don't keep Jefferson are we really resigning this guy?
• Ashytn Davis - has come on very nicely this year and could serve as a backup to both Whitehead and Adams. I think he is better at FS than SS but if they feel strongly about his ability at SS, then you could let Whitehead walk if he's asking too much. (UFA: RETAIN)

Those are the notable free agents and if you had in roughly $3-$5 million more of cap savings we could be looking at a total savings of $25+ million and that's not even including the additional funds we'll have from offensive free agents. But the topic is defense so we'll stick there.

Looking at these potential losses:

• WMcDIV is already contributing more than Lawson and with a full offseason of NFL strength training (juice) we are upgrading Lawson's loss without spending more $
• Whitehead I think we'll find a way to retain and if not I would not be shocked if they felt comfortable enough with Ashtyn replacing him. Break about even in production without spending more for it
• Chuck Clark not losing anything there obviously
• Quinton Jefferson I think they'll try and retain and should, but will he be asking for more than we want to spend? I think its possible and it might be a position we have to refill with someone else in free agency and/or draft.

Overall I think our defense will be about the same if not better if WMcDIV and Ashytn continue to rise.

[Bronx]

• Dump all the ex-Packers cast offs  
• Trade Beef Neck Clemmons
• Extend Huff 
• Tag or extend Bacon 
• Trade Z. Wilson for a late rounder 

[#27TheDominator]

2 minutes ago, Bronx said:

• Dump all the ex-Packers cast offs  
• Trade Beef Neck Clemmons
• Extend Huff 
• Tag or extend Bacon 
• Trade Z. Wilson for a late rounder 

2 or 3 of those are offense.  Why do you want to trade Clemons?  He is cheap enough and what do you think you will get for him?  Is this some kind of weird addition by subtraction thing that doesn't make sense?  He makes around $1M and is valued at around $1.5M.  I get that his looks make internet idiots act like he is Reggie White, but that is not his fault.  It's the Shawn Oakman Effect.  Bonus points for misspelling his name like Micheal Ray Richardson!

[Adoni Beast]

10 minutes ago, Bronx said:

• Dump all the ex-Packers cast offs  
• Trade Beef Neck Clemmons
• Extend Huff 
• Tag or extend Bacon 
• Trade Z. Wilson for a late rounder 

- We're talking D now so forget Lazard and Cobb

- I'm not sure his 0.5 sacks have any trade value...maybe flipping 6s or something negligible 

- Yes...maybe...I'm thinking second round tender tag and if someone wants to trade for him, take it. I like Huff a lot, but I kind of feel like he's turning into "Jets Good" which is kind of like "Office Hot"

- I like the tag for Becton even if we draft OT. Extend Becton? Nah, only should be here for a year honestly. Plus we're talking D

- Talking D

[#27TheDominator]

I expect them to make an offer to Huff but let him test the market.  I expect the same with Davis on a smaller level.  I think they play the comp pick game with them.  I think McDonald is seen as a Huff replacement more than anything.  I think Whitehead and Jefferson are the only two that get true starters contract offers and even there I expect them kind of tame.  Similar for Clark.  I think the might even have Amos back if he walks.  I think they cut him while remaining on good terms.  Probably make another low deal for Al Woods if he is interested in coming back.  They had a bunch of solid DTs, but I think they want at least one huge space-eater in the Fatukasi/Woods mold and I don't see that coming from the draft.  

[#27TheDominator]

2 hours ago, Adoni Beast said:

- We're talking D now so forget Lazard and Cobb

- I'm not sure his 0.5 sacks have any trade value...maybe flipping 6s or something negligible 

- Yes...maybe...I'm thinking second round tender tag and if someone wants to trade for him, take it. I like Huff a lot, but I kind of feel like he's turning into "Jets Good" which is kind of like "Office Hot"

- I like the tag for Becton even if we draft OT. Extend Becton? Nah, only should be here for a year honestly. Plus we're talking D

- Talking D

No tag for Huff.  That was last year, they put a 2nd round tender.  He has 4 years in and is an UFA come March 2024.