They spend the most time in big nickel - i.e. they pull a LB and insert a 3rd safety. It works better than traditional nickel when teams run from a spread set. They need a 3rd starting quality safety, because the 3rd safety will be on the field a ton.
But that's really due to our lack of decent LB, right? And if Swearinger is the one essentially playing LB in nickel, wouldn't it still be better to have a SS to pair with Moore? I'm just saying that if the weak link at safety is DJ, wouldn't we be better off looking at a SS?
FA signings have been good business, thus far.... Draft-wise..... these 5 have to be seriously considered Vic Beasley (would be a great add to the defense) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V7vtkE-DoQY Marcus Mariotta (BIG ‘IF’...but if he's there, do you take him?) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmKOAsnzdXQ La’El Collins (always could use O-line help) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iwHhR7vUOxM Todd Gurley (if he's there...whew.....tough one...will beast once healthy) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_Vy61HobfM Amari Cooper (lovely #2 with #1 capabilities) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gjHOM1TW1xA
I would think interior OL is still a priority, too. Gun to my head, assuming parts fall as expected (they never do), my money is on a TE in round 1. I think he wants to build a '07/'11 NE Patriot hybrid.
Maybe depth but I think XSF will be fine and Brandon Brooks might actually be our best O lineman. There's sort of a question mark about Jones at C, but I think he'll be alright.
I think interior OL is a significant priority, but I don't see it being a draft priority. They need depth there more than anything. If XSF washes out, it sets us back greatly. BOB's love affair with pass catching TEs could very well mean a TE in the 1st. But who?
From WalterFootball.com Ty Montgomery, WR, Stanford Height: 5-11. Weight: 221. 40 Time: 4.55. Projected Round (2015): 3-4. 3/14/15: In speaking with an NFL general manager, he named Montgomery as one of the players who impressed him the most during the early going of the 2014 season. Montgomery displays speed, strength and big-play ability, but he has to improve his hands. For example, Montgomery had a lot of drops against Notre Dame in wet conditions. He also didn't stand out at the Senior Bowl or Combine. Montgomery recorded 61 receptions for 604 yards with three scores in 2014. The senior picked up 144 yards on the ground (6.3 average) with a touchdown, too. As for special teams, he averaged 17.1 yards per punt return with two scores and 25.2 yards per kick return. Montgomery missed the regular-season finale against UCLA and the bowl game against Maryland with a shoulder injury. 8/27/14: A sleeper receiver who goes under the radar but could rise up in stature this season is Montgomery. He has a serious combination of size and speed. If Stanford gets more consistent quarterback play and decides to give Montgomery more opportunities, he could have a huge season. Montgomery has been a contributor for Stanford since his freshman year. His best season came as a junior in 2013 when he caught 61 passes for 958 yards with 10 touchdowns. Montgomery could have produced more if Kevin Hogan had played more consistently. Montgomery had 26 catches for 213 yards in 2012 after recording 24 receptions for 350 yards with two scores as a freshman in 2011. Montgomery has some speed to go along with his size. He also is one of the best kick returners in the nation. Montgomery was second in the nation in kick returns in 2013 with an average of 30 yards per return with two touchdown returns.
I've seen him mocked to us in a couple different places. Kevin White has passed him as the unquestioned #1 WR, and all it takes is another team to love a guy like Strong/Smith/Parker, or go in a different direction altogether, for him to fall to us.
The only plausible pick you've listed is Beasley. Collins isn't needed with Newton wrapped up and Brown at LT. You need interior O-line more than a tackle, and you can get that much later in the draft. Gurley is a legit tallent, but you've got Foster and much bigger needs. I do see them going RB at some point, but not that early. Cooper just simply won't be there, and with Shorts I believe they'll go for a speed wideout that will blow the tops off, a la Devin Smith or Phillip Dorsett. They'll help in the return game too. Bang for the buck return. Neither will Mariota. Although I do like him.
Agree with the LB corp. Still need edge rush and speed at ILB to help cover. CB to me is less of a need. You've got Kareem and with all the talk about how Jjo is so key to players being here or developing better, I think he ends up re-signing for a lesser deal at some point, but I see him playing out his final contract year. You've also got Bouye, Morris, and Rolle who have all flashed at some point last year. Hal is still there too. I think we're fine going in with this group. Best CB depth we've ever had. TE is a need, but besides Maxx Williams there really isn't a guy in this draft that could supplant any of our TEs. Just a weak group all together. There are some good lesser known RB's in the draft that can be a dual threat with the run and pass. I'm still big on Safety too. Moore was a fantastic pickup, but you still need you're 2nd starting safety. Swearinger is your third nickel safety since he only plays like a linebacker and is a liability in coverage. Could hit up FA for that though. WR is where I want speed speed speed. I love Devin Smith and Phillip Dorsett. Conley is interesting, as well as Agholor. I want a RB/WR with speed that will end our need for a returner, and help in the deep pass game. I don't care who, but give me someone.
Unless someone drops I'm just getting the feeling the Texans might trade down. Thoughts on a few prospects that people like. Vic Beasley - I like him, but he's more of a weakside OLB. That's both Clowney and Mercilius's position. We need a strong side OLB so I don't think we'll go with Beasley. Todd Gurley - Don't see the Texans going RB with the first pick. NE does not value RB's highly, and with Foster's huge ego I could see him having a tantrum asking to be traded. Lots of solid OL should be there when the Texans pick, but I think the Texans are set at every starting position there. They need depth, and I think at least two draft picks should be used here. Just not the 1st. Trae Waynes - I can see the Texans going with Waynes if he's there. He can play nickel CB his first year, then replace JJ the next.
We should really go OLB at 16 if one of the top ones are available (assuming White/Cooper/Parker are gone). Beasley, Gregory, Ray, Fowler, Dupree, Owa are all first round talents. Assuming Owa will be there and hopefully Dupree.
Got to go LB in first round I would think and there is a lot of talent available. Maybe if Amari Cooper fell I'd go WR. I'd love to get Tyler Lockett in round 3/4.
