They may or may not become a top 5 defense. They can go very far without being top 5. But the pieces are certainly there- on the roster and on the coaching staff- to do it. In today's NFL when you have a secondary
that talented and multiple defensive linemen
that dominant you are well, well ahead of most teams talent-wise. They are genuinely 5 deep at CB.
They could very well still have issues vs the run like they did a year ago. But last year I believed Phillips saw that as a trade-off for what he valued most which is generating QB pressure and turnovers. Suh's presence inside obviously helps and if rotation guys like Smart take some steps forward then NT won't be the weakness it was a year ago.
At LB I have more confidence in the younger guys they have outside than inside. Ebukam and Longacre played a lot last year. They're just going to be asked to play more this year. Littleton played quite a bit the final 3 games but overall still much less. I think Okoronkwo is more likely to get a lot of reps as a rookie vs Kiser. I loved Lawler as a value pick for the Rams and he reportedly impressed in OTAs. But let's see how a 7th rounder does when the pads come on.
Defensive line depth is the other question that could make or break a top 5 defense. Great defenses can rotate linemen all game long with little drop-off. It's part of how the Eagles won last year, the 2007 Giants, etc. Can Easley come back strong? Will Westbrooks and Smart be reliable? Who else?
Schedule-wise, they face a tougher slate of QBs than a year ago. Fewer Tolziens, Gabberts, Hoyers and Savages. They have their work cut out for them. But I believe 100% in Phillips, Pleasant and company. I can't wait to see them and what they can do with this group....
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/26/2018 06:54AM by LMU93.
