(07-06-2023, 10:13 AM)Caldrac Wrote: For me, it's the following:

1. Edge rush in general. Want to see how well that unit operates, veteran and newcomers across the board. My concerns in the secondary will dim if these guys shine bright.

2. Tank Bigsby, Brenton Strange & Derek Parrish in the backfield. Seems like a push was made in the off season to get a little bit more physical and stronger from out of the backfield to play more "complimentary" football that Doug Pederson was coining a lot last year.

3. The Ridley effect. Him being the clear, cut X receiver out there has a staggering effect in a positive way on Kirk and Jones. I want to see this.

4. The entire offensive line unit really. Little, Harrison, Bartch at LG, Fortner in year two, Scherff getting up there in the age. This is a vital unit to this team's success. If they cannot protect Lawrence. Our whole season falls apart really.

5. The nickel slot. Baalke went after three interesting prospects in this draft. Braswell in particular out of Rutger's is more of an outside CB, but, the Antonio Johnson & Hallett selections are interesting due to the slot experience in college along with them being safeties.

Good stuff. 

I totally left pass rush out of my list. But it should be there.
Personally, I tend to think in our situation, the secondary is going to need to help this pass rush more than the pass rush needs to help the secondary, but it's not that important a distinction. They need to feed each other. Chicken or egg debate. 

Travon Walker developing at OLB and from the inside will be a huge factor. 
Who steps up to create interior push and penetration will be a big unanswered question as well. 
Someone needs to collapse the pocket more often than last years' IDL rotation managed. 

I fully expect Josh Allen to have an uptick in consistency.

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