51 minutes ago, Stinger226 said:

I agree with almost everything you said but Turner has more upside than you suggested. He is a perfect fit for DAs scheme. Speed , length and a quickness. Also JJ is a dedicated hard worker and will get back to top 10 form at CB. Spot on with everything else.

I read the predraft stuff on him, and he wasnt anyones first round pick - that's all I mean. He definitely is athletic, and anyone can outperform their scouting, but I just need to see it on the field.

For example, what I thought of Swift before this season, based on everything I'd ever seen from him before said we would be replacing him this year. But he outplayed his former level, and definitely showed me things id never seen from him before. Surely a rookie who was injured and got no snaps could have an upside. Im not limiting him. Im just saying i wont believe it until i see it. Until then, he's what i said (in my mind) but of course i hope he balls out. Same with Dexter etc. any player that wants to suddenly become a stud is ok with me!

14 hours ago, BearFan PHX said:

All good points.

I think you gotta look at what we have now, assuming everyone is healthy.

Defensive Edge
Montez Sweat is a decent player. He might be a 10 sack guy. He doesn't put fear in anyone, but he'd be a solid DE2 on most good defenses.
Austin Booker is an ascending player. He's not a DE1 terror, but I can't say what he will become. He looks like he has what it takes.
Dayo Odeyingbo is a solid running down kind of guy, but he's not going make a QB uncomfortable.

Another year of experience for Booker could make this an upgrade over last year. We still need to add a real talent at edge. Sure, Booker could ascend, but it hasnt happened yet, and even if so we still need another player for the rotation.

Defensive Tackle
Neville Gallamore is a high motor high effort guy who can play nose or 3T. He's not a Pro Bowler, but he's solid, and has good football instincts.
Shemar Turner is a high energy guy who could be decent, but is not expected to be great coming out of college. He brings good energy, but he is not expected to be an impact player.
Grady Jarrett brings great veteran leadership, but he's slowed with age. He will likely not be an impact player for us.
Gervon Dexter is a slow rotational player at best with poor football instincts who gives up on plays too easily.

Neville Gallamore is an upgrade over anything we had last year, but still will need to add talent in the middle.

Linebackers
TJ Edwards has played well for us, and he will continue to be a plus player. He is kinda slow though, so an upgrade for him is coming this year or next.
Devin Bush is a fast heat seeking missile. He's OK in coverage, but he plays the run and blitzes at a very high level. He identifies the play quickly and shoots gaps and sheds blocks at an elite level. He and Kyler Gordon will make our blitzes difficult to deal with.
Demarco Jackson is an ascending player who has good football IQ. He might have been our best LB last year. Let's see how he does this year.
Jack Sandborn is a tough player, but he lacks the necessary speed to stay with receivers, tight ends and some running backs. Probably a backup.

Bush is a HUGE upgrade for this unit. We still need another faster player, maybe Hippolyte will learn how to play football, but likely there is a faster replacement for Edwards coming this year or next.

Safeties
Coby Bryant is an excellent player. He's smart, understands the game and will be a leader on our defense. Great signing.
Cam Lewis is good depth, but he's not going to rock anyone's world.
Ditto for Hicks and Owens.

Bryant brings much needed speed to a unit that had been built for zone defense. We will still need another impact player at safety. Maybe a rookie?

Cornerbacks
Jaylon Johnson was injured for a lot of last year, but many feel he is overpaid and not bringing enough productivity for his price. Hes a good CB, but he's not a top 5 CB.
Kyler Gordon, before his injury, was one of the best NB in the league, and is a good chess piece who can play all over the field, and blitz.
Tyreek Stephenson is on his way out. He's a decent CB2 sometimes, but his head is not in the game.

This may be the last year with us for JJ and Stephenson. JJ might get a cap relieving one year extension, but he is going to want a new deal. Both of these players are decent, and can be expected to play decently this year, but in future plans, both will probably need replacements soon.

Overall

EDGE - maybe upgrade if Booker ascends. Draft pick likely incoming.
DT - upgraded from terrible to OK. Draft pick likely incoming.
LB - clear upgrade with Bush, Edwards, Jackson and Sandborn.
S - clear upgrade with Bryant, Draft pick likely incoming.
CB - no upgrade except people are healthy. Will be decent.

So this defense is significantly faster with Bush, Bryant and Gallimore. Those three moves alone, and getting Dexter and Edmunds off the field will greatly improve us from a terrible defense to something better. Getting great with these (or any) players will going to require a real grown up pass rush we don't currently have.

We NEED a high level Edge and DT.

We also need a safety.

Assuming all are addressed in the draft, this defense could be much better than last year. I don't see them being great until the defensive line gets good. High drafted rookies still need time to get accustomed to the NFL game. But we could be a 20th ranked or 15th ranked defense this year based on this roster. If Booker or a rookie catch fire, then better than that.

Future plans are going to require CBs, a safety and another LB too.

So yes, our defense will be seriously upgraded from last year - but not scary like our offense is. Not yet.

Our best chances rely on Booker and good draft picks.

All my opinions of course.

Turner had some first-round grades, and some mocks had him going that high. A 2nd round pick has to become a key contributor/starter.

It's crazy what free agents can do to help in hinder the growth of a team. Dayo and Jarrett were terrible signings that were supposed to help in year one, but will negatively affect for the second year in a row.

55 minutes ago, adam said:

Turner had some first-round grades, and some mocks had him going that high. A 2nd round pick has to become a key contributor/starter.

Agreed. Im not putting a ceiling on him, Im just saying I need to see it on the field first. I cant pencil him in as an upgrade until I see it?

But i don't expect him to become someone that offenses fear, not right away anyway?