Is next year when the D finally drops off?

[thedukeofearl]

Three of our best defensive players have played little or not at all this year.

Jestin Jacobs, Terry Roberts, Jemari Harris.

We have lots of experience coming back on the DL, and the kid coming from Iowa Western looks intriguing.

Xavier Nwampka should be solidly in the defensive backfield mix and between him and J Harris they should be able to replace Merriweather and Moss.

And the most importent defensive linchpin isn’t going anywhere.

The coordinator.

The coordinator.

 

[trj]

Todd McShay just released his 1st mock draft and he has Van Ness at 29th, but says that if he falls that far he would be a steal.

McShay loves him some Van Ness. Do we know if Van Ness is coming back? I hope McShay's love for Van Ness is equivalent to Kiper's love of Will Levis, where you can just dismiss it immediately.

 

[Briggs32]

McShay loves him some Van Ness. Do we know if Van Ness is coming back? I hope McShay's love for Van Ness is equivalent to Kiper's love of Will Levis, where you can just dismiss it immediately.

He’s already come out and said he’s not leaving. He’ll be back next year.

 

[loesshillshawk]

I would like to see Cooper at cash as well. He can cover and tackle. He leads us in PBU's Int's and solo tackles. I worry that keeping him at CB would hurt his NFL chances, because there's no doubt he's an NFL player, and he can help us in so many ways at safety, cash, or OLB. He'd be a helluva corner, but I'd like to see him elsewhere.

The Hall kid from Harlan is DeJean on steroids. I have watched him play the last few years. Don't count him out...of LB, and Cash discussion.

 

[Hawkfnntn]

We have watched high-level talent move onto the NFL for quite a few years now, and somehow the D never seems to lose a step.

2016 20th ranked D (according to PFF D efficiency)
Lost Jaleel Johnson and Desmond King to NFL

2017 18th ranked D
Lost Josey Jewell and Josh Jackson

2018 5th ranked D
Lost Anthony Nelson and Amani Hooker (at this point we were wondering if Cash was here to stay, or if it took a skillset as unique as Hooker's to pull it off)

2019 10th ranked D
Lost AJ Epenesa, Michael Ojemudia, and Geno Stone

2020 8th ranked D
Lost Chauncey Golston, Daviyon Nixon, Nick Niemann

2021 5th ranked D
Lost Dane Belton, ZVV

2022 2nd ranked D

Next year we probably lose Evans, Shannon, Campbell, Benson, Moss, and Merriweather. Do we finally see a step back, or do they just keep reloading?

Good question. I think the Dline will still be deep. I think so long as Van Ness doesn't leave early (saw McShay has him as a 1st round pick) they probably fall back some. But I think they'll be top 15-20ish still. Do we keep DeJean at corner? How the secondary retools will be interesting. I think XN will slide in for Merriweather but Roberts leaving kinda throws a bit of a curveball into what I think Parker was hoping to have coming back

 

[Hawkfnntn]

He’s already come out and said he’s not leaving. He’ll be back next year.

How long ago did he say that? I feel like after the bowl game if the 'experts' all tell him he's a 1st rounder he's gotta seriously consider it. I'd say that for pretty much every player that's got a 3rd round grade or better to go get your NFL clock started. Being a 1st rounder seems like a no brainer to me.

 

[haydensly]

How long ago did he say that? I feel like after the bowl game if the 'experts' all tell him he's a 1st rounder he's gotta seriously consider it. I'd say that for pretty much every player that's got a 3rd round grade or better to go get your NFL clock started. Being a 1st rounder seems like a no brainer to me.

He said it several weeks ago. This was another item on HawkCentral, either Leistekow or the other columnist. You should consider a subscription, there is quite a bit of information there that doesn't come out on this board.

 

[Hawkfnntn]

He said it several weeks ago. This was another item on HawkCentral, either Leistekow or the other columnist. You should consider a subscription, there is quite a bit of information there that doesn't come out on this board.

NIL is a bit of a game changer in that depending on how much you can get maybe you can make more then you would your rookie yr in the NFL. Depending on where you're drafted. 1st rounders make dang good $ though and the sooner you start the sooner you get to getting your 2nd contract and that's where the real $ is for them. Especially the good players. It'd be tough to talk me into doing what Brandon Scherffs did. It just would. That said it's worked out pretty well for him.

There's no wrong way to do it unless you know the future. Then it's just a matter of what makes you happy and your risk tolerance.