Instant Defense Rebuild

[Grogan14]

Draft Mason Graham
Sign Josh Sweat as UFA
Christian Barmore comes back
Christian Gonzalez takes next step

Competent DC and Vrabel

Boom

 

[Hyped]

Still leaves us with a hole at CB#2...unless you love Alex Austin or think Jon Jones is worth resigning?

In addition, I am not sure how good our backers will be when Bentley returns.... Mayo suffered a pec injury in 2013-ish....then in 2014 injured his knee...and by 2015 he saw reduced snaps..... so, it is no guarantee that Bentley returns to form....so we would probably need Mapu to step up...Keon White too.... we need to generate pressure. Sweat isn't enough....

 

[Rob0729]

Still leaves us with a hole at CB#2...unless you love Alex Austin or think Jon Jones is worth resigning?

In addition, I am not sure how good our backers will be when Bentley returns.... Mayo suffered a pec injury in 2013-ish....then in 2014 injured his knee...and by 2015 he saw reduced snaps..... so, it is no guarantee that Bentley returns to form....so we would probably need Mapu to step up...Keon White too.... we need to generate pressure. Sweat isn't enough....

I would go after DJ Reed. He is one of the better #2 CBs in the league. Hurts the Jets while giving the Pats a big upgrade.

 

[Hugepatsfan]

Not sure exactly what we're "rebuilding" too. But yeah, adding a DT prospect like Graham, a quality EDGE like Sweat, and basically adding an a pro bowl caliber DT in Barmore (since we got nothing from him last year) figures to be a significant improvement. Even add in Bentley coming back, who would bring us up to a grand total of one (1) starting caliber LB.

That being said, the LB unit would be weak overall. Since White is better off as an inside rusher the overall pass rush off the edge is still fairly weak. We have no FS that can cover. We'd have viable starting outside CB across from Gonzo which makes it hard to maximize his man coverage abilities since that means the rest of the D needs to man up too.

The "competent" DC you're assuming we have has never been a DC or called plays before. Vrabel had the worst scoring defense in the NFL his one season as a DC so it's not like him stepping into the role for him would be an automatic success either. I'm not trying to downplay that we have a quality coaching staff, but I also don't think we should make it out like we have BB in his prime stepping in either who can be the magic cure for all woes.

No issues with anything here (drafting Graham, signing Sweat) but there'd still be more work to do here before I consider the defense adequately "rebuilt".

 

[hornetfb85]

Id add:
Sign Carlton Davis
Bentley comes back healthy

 

[Hugepatsfan]

Still leaves us with a hole at CB#2...unless you love Alex Austin or think Jon Jones is worth resigning?

In addition, I am not sure how good our backers will be when Bentley returns.... Mayo suffered a pec injury in 2013-ish....then in 2014 injured his knee...and by 2015 he saw reduced snaps..... so, it is no guarantee that Bentley returns to form....so we would probably need Mapu to step up...Keon White too.... we need to generate pressure. Sweat isn't enough....

Pec injury and knee injury are very different things. I'd have to go back and really analyze, but just off of general assumptions I doubt Mayo's pec injury was a significant factor in his career fizzling out as it did. That's not an injury that will typically have long-lasting consequences. And it wouldn't "cause" the subsequent knee injury. He did have a shoulder injury in the playoffs after that last 2015 season though, which I guess COULD have had an impact. When talking about his reduced playing time, also need to take into consideration that we had Hightower and Collins in their prime for those years which I'm sure played into it as well.

I don't really have a ton of concern with lasting impacts of Bentley's pec injury. My concern with him is just that he isn't all that good to begin with. Hardly anything special. The rest of the LB room is weak too, so no sense in cutting him because he is decent, but they absolutely should be open to replacing him with a higher end option at the MIKE.

It isn't the biggest need, but I like Nick Bolton as a "culture" signing for the MIKE position long-term. Bentley and him aren't a great pairing skill set wise, but whatever we can deal with it for a year since it's not like we're flush with talent anyway.

 

[Rob0729]

Pec injury and knee injury are very different things. I'd have to go back and really analyze, but just off of general assumptions I doubt Mayo's pec injury was a significant factor in his career fizzling out as it did. That's not an injury that will typically have long-lasting consequences. And it wouldn't "cause" the subsequent knee injury. He did have a shoulder injury in the playoffs after that last 2015 season though, which I guess COULD have had an impact. When talking about his reduced playing time, also need to take into consideration that we had Hightower and Collins in their prime for those years which I'm sure played into it as well.

I don't really have a ton of concern with lasting impacts of Bentley's pec injury. My concern with him is just that he isn't all that good to begin with. Hardly anything special. The rest of the LB room is weak too, so no sense in cutting him because he is decent, but they absolutely should be open to replacing him with a higher end option at the MIKE.

It isn't the biggest need, but I like Nick Bolton as a "culture" signing for the MIKE position long-term. Bentley and him aren't a great pairing skill set wise, but whatever we can deal with it for a year since it's not like we're flush with talent anyway.

I don't think Mayo's pec injury was the reason he fizzled out. He got that in the 2013 season and returned in the 2014 season and played pretty well until he tore his PCL. He never recovered from that injury and retired after the 2015 season after becoming more of a role player that season.

 

[lancerman]

People should probably come to terms with the fact that we aren't going to fix every unit 100% in off season. We could go all defense in the draft and blow our entire cap on defense in FA and there's going to still be a few holes and not everyone will be a hit.

 

[PWRxWLF]

Draft Mason Graham
Sign Josh Sweat as UFA
Christian Barmore comes back
Christian Gonzalez takes next step

Competent DC and Vrabel

Boom

Yes to Graham. Kind of hesitant on Sweat. He only managed 8 sacks on a stud DL. Not to mention it was a contract year. Then again, he has a lot of experience and is still young. Could he have a similar jump to Judon when he joined the Pats? Sign em if it isnt going to be some otherworldly figures. If Barmore came back and was healthy it would be a huge plus to the DLine. I agree with others that LB and 2nd CB are big concerns after the trenches. Also, we need another edge if the plan is to kick White inside on passing downs. 1st year defensive playcaller, I'm prepared for 1st year lumps. Top 10 D would be absolutely amazing, but I'll take a rise back up to the middle of the pack and call that a win.

 

[Real fan 02]

Still leaves us with a hole at CB#2...unless you love Alex Austin or think Jon Jones is worth resigning?

In addition, I am not sure how good our backers will be when Bentley returns.... Mayo suffered a pec injury in 2013-ish....then in 2014 injured his knee...and by 2015 he saw reduced snaps..... so, it is no guarantee that Bentley returns to form....so we would probably need Mapu to step up...Keon White too.... we need to generate pressure. Sweat isn't enough....

And this is Bently 2nd major injury to a pec his rookie season he got hurt at Detroit that season.. he was vastly missed as a leader, a thumper in the middle who sets up the defense. Austin, dial, bolden will all be given opportunity there during camp.. Austin has upside. But signing DJ Reed or chavaious ward for gonzo partner solves that issue. I'll keep saying this.. go after chase young DE, BJ hill at DT for the DL.. and kinlaw at LB.. likely we are drafting Carter at 4 if he's there.. at DC Williams is far more than capable he's a veteran NFL coach With 20 plus years experience. I trust him to have the Defensive line playing with aggressiveness.

 

[dliverey44]

Id add:
Sign Carlton Davis
Bentley comes back healthy

I would also like them to add Tyrel Dodson.

 

[Real fan 02]

Yes to Graham. Kind of hesitant on Sweat. He only managed 8 sacks on a stud DL. Not to mention it was a contract year. Then again, he has a lot of experience and is still young. Could he have a similar jump to Judon when he joined the Pats? Sign em if it isnt going to be some otherworldly figures. If Barmore came back and was healthy it would be a huge plus to the DLine. I agree with others that LB and 2nd CB are big concerns after the trenches. Also, we need another edge if the plan is to kick White inside on passing downs. 1st year defensive playcaller, I'm prepared for 1st year lumps. Top 10 D would be absolutely amazing, but I'll take a rise back up to the middle of the pack and call that a win.

Agreed Josh sweat is a beneficiary of having Carter and Williams on the DL.. both those guys command double teams..

 

[JohnJH]

Still leaves us with a hole at CB#2...unless you love Alex Austin or think Jon Jones is worth resigning?

In addition, I am not sure how good our backers will be when Bentley returns.... Mayo suffered a pec injury in 2013-ish....then in 2014 injured his knee...and by 2015 he saw reduced snaps..... so, it is no guarantee that Bentley returns to form....so we would probably need Mapu to step up...Keon White too.... we need to generate pressure. Sweat isn't enough....

Bentley is also not in the mold of what Vrabel and his DC are looking for in ILB's. Quay Walker from Green Bay (who can be had in a trade for a mid-round asset/assets) a long with Jalon Walker, Jihaad Campbell, are LB's that they are looking for. Mapu might also be more of a fast ILB if he can be coached-up to be. And, Abdul Carter can play anywhere (as can Jalon Walker and possibly Campbell). Quay Walker has inside-outside versatility.

 

[PWRxWLF]

Bentley is also not in the mold of what Vrabel and his DC are looking for in ILB's. Quay Walker from Green Bay (who can be had in a trade for a mid-round asset/assets) a long with Jalon Walker, Jihaad Campbell, are LB's that they are looking for. Mapu might also be more of a fast ILB if he can be coached-up to be. And, Abdul Carter can play anywhere (as can Jalon Walker and possibly Campbell). Quay Walker has inside-outside versatility.

Why is Green Bay moving on from Quay Walker?

 

[Pape]

Quay Walker has inside-outside versatility.

take this for what you will,... PFF considers him to be a liability in pass coverage... we already have Tavai to fill that role...

but him being on the trade block falls into the category of "well, the Packers might do this"

Packers Predicted to Put $13.8 Million Starter on NFL Trade Block

The Green Bay Packers have been predicted to put one of their former first-rounds picks on the NFL trade block during the 2025 offseason.

heavy.com

 

[JohnJH]

Why is Green Bay moving on from Quay Walker?

It's been reported on a few outlets that because of other concerns, they don't want to pay his 5th Year Option (and they also have an even younger and cheaper option(s) on their roster, although those players are not yet at his level (Quay is only 24 or 25 I think).

 

[JohnJH]

take this for what you will,... PFF considers him to be a liability in pass coverage... we already have Tavai to fill that role...

but him being on the trade block falls into the category of "well, the Packers might do this"

Packers Predicted to Put $13.8 Million Starter on NFL Trade Block

The Green Bay Packers have been predicted to put one of their former first-rounds picks on the NFL trade block during the 2025 offseason.

heavy.com

He's younger and better than Tavai, and this coaching staff could make him a better player (especially in pass coverage). And, his sideline to sideline speed is already absolutely better than Bentley's and he's solid against both RB's and Running QB's. He'd still be an upgrade over Bentley and Tavai and is younger and wouldn't cost us much in draft capital.

 

[Pape]

He's younger and better than Tavai, and this coaching staff could make him a better player (especially in pass coverage). And, his sideline to sideline speed is already absolutely better than Bentley's and he's solid against both RB's and Running QB's. He'd still be an upgrade over Bentley and Tavai and is younger and wouldn't cost us much in draft capital.

Bentley gets after the QB better than Quay Walker... Im not opposed to the move, but its all relative to the cost...

and Bentley is a good player... home grown, a guy who grew into a leadership role here... I don't like casting off guys like that for players who are "marginally" better on a stat sheet...

 

[Real fan 02]

take this for what you will,... PFF considers him to be a liability in pass coverage... we already have Tavai to fill that role...

but him being on the trade block falls into the category of "well, the Packers might do this"

Packers Predicted to Put $13.8 Million Starter on NFL Trade Block

The Green Bay Packers have been predicted to put one of their former first-rounds picks on the NFL trade block during the 2025 offseason.

heavy.com

Bentley is fine in his role.. get some rushers in here and see the difference it will make... chase young, BJ hill inside, kinlaw at LB.. IMO

 

[Pape]

Why is Green Bay moving on from Quay Walker?

they drafted Edgerrin Cooper this past year who made some waves with his play this year apparently