They have multiple gaps to fill to be sure. And it is more challenging with the 4th lowest draft capital and only being 24th in cap space. That said, their cupboard is hardly bare...
They have their QB (in year 4 of the system). They return all their skill position players (unless they trade one). All of them. They just acquired a highly regarded OC and QB coach. They have two of the best defensive players in the entire league and a very good and deep secondary (Johnson returning and replacing Weddle alone is a BIG upgrade). A LOT of teams across the league would kill to be in that spot in mid-February...
Having $23M+ or whatever it is in cap space currently is also to some extent a mirage. They WILL add cap space. Plus how many teams at the top with $60-70M+ right now will still be sitting on a lot of it come June? Several...
Their biggest challenge is they will have to find 1-2 more moderately priced (bargain) defensive free agents for the front seven while also HAVING to hit on their first two draft selections. Big challenges for the front office and scouting departments. No question..
But they are not replacing 4 starting OL. They need at least one new one. Maybe two. And in a Draft where QBs and WRs will be FLYING off the board in the top two rounds quite a few good OL will get pushed their way. Quite possibly edge defenders as well.
I hope they can keep Littleton. Hes an excellent player and a leader and does not seem like the type that will rest once he gets paid. But if they lose him AND Fowler AND Brockers, well, take the 2021 compensatory picks and move on. Such is life.. Brockers can be replaced. Draft an edge guy that can rotate in as a rookie and grow into a quality starter by 2021.
In the end I look at them and maybe it is a bit oversimplified, but I say they were 9-7 with one of the 3 or 4 worst performing OL in the league and facing the 1st or 2nd hardest schedule in the NFL. Improve the OL noticeably (in part by developing Evans and Edwards further) and with a presumed relatively easier schedule AND finally a full 8 home games and there is no reason to think they cannot be an 11-5 team. The Super Bowl Hangover torch has been passed.. Could they win 12 or 13? Sure but we all know that requires some luck along the way. 9 wins? Sure, with bad luck too...
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/22/2020 04:24AM by LMU93.
