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Health will play a big role in the final roster breakdown. The number crunch is going to be brutal no matter how exactly it works out, and injuries will definitely open some doors. I expect some guys to be put on PUP or IR.
I think keeping more than 6 "pure" DLs starts to create a crunch. The same with keeping more than 9 DBs. I think that you can easily justify 10 in today's NFL, but assuming 25 roster spots on defense that really cuts in to the front 7. I think that versatility will play a huge role in who stays and who goes.
My best "show in the dark" right now:
DL: Wilfork, Love, Fanene, Pryor, Deaderick, Warren.
DE/OLB: Jones, Ninkovich, Scott, Bequette, Markell Carter. Cunningham gets cut or traded.
LB: Mayo, Hightower, Spikes, Fletcher, Carpenter, Tarpinian. White's hernia surgery could slow him down coming into training camp and create an opening for Tarpinian.
That's 17. The final cut would probably come down to Warren, Carter/Scott and Carpenter/Fletcher in that breakdown. But it's just a straw horse.
Keeping more than 25 on defense would create a huge squeeze on offense, which is already in a similar position to defense: 9 OL are likely though 10 could be possibly, but even with 9 that leaves on 16 "skill spots". With 3 TEs almost certain that leaves only 13 spots for QB (2-3), RB (4-5) and WR (6-7), so there will be similarly intense competition.
It will be brutal no matter how you figure the numbers. And that seems to be part of BB's plan: maximize depth to account for injury and attrition, and maximize competition to battle harden the survivors.
I think keeping more than 6 "pure" DLs starts to create a crunch. The same with keeping more than 9 DBs. I think that you can easily justify 10 in today's NFL, but assuming 25 roster spots on defense that really cuts in to the front 7. I think that versatility will play a huge role in who stays and who goes.
My best "show in the dark" right now:
DL: Wilfork, Love, Fanene, Pryor, Deaderick, Warren.
DE/OLB: Jones, Ninkovich, Scott, Bequette, Markell Carter. Cunningham gets cut or traded.
LB: Mayo, Hightower, Spikes, Fletcher, Carpenter, Tarpinian. White's hernia surgery could slow him down coming into training camp and create an opening for Tarpinian.
That's 17. The final cut would probably come down to Warren, Carter/Scott and Carpenter/Fletcher in that breakdown. But it's just a straw horse.
Keeping more than 25 on defense would create a huge squeeze on offense, which is already in a similar position to defense: 9 OL are likely though 10 could be possibly, but even with 9 that leaves on 16 "skill spots". With 3 TEs almost certain that leaves only 13 spots for QB (2-3), RB (4-5) and WR (6-7), so there will be similarly intense competition.
It will be brutal no matter how you figure the numbers. And that seems to be part of BB's plan: maximize depth to account for injury and attrition, and maximize competition to battle harden the survivors.
I agree with your analysis and breakdowns. Specifically, I agree with you note that we may choose to lose both Cunningham and Markell Carter in order to keep another LB or STer. As of now, it seems right to keep Fletcher, Carpenter and White.
BTW, Andy's list included Pryor. I agree that 6-7 of Andy's DL's should make the team. The question mark for me is Pryor's health, not his ability. If all are helthy, I agree with you that Brace is #7 and could lose his roster spot if we keep only six DL's.
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LDE Deaderick, Brace
NT/DT Wilfork, Warren
RDE/DT Fanene, Love
Fit Pryor in there wherever you want,and unless someone surprises and takes one of their job all or all but 1 of the 7 are making the team.