Quote:We could have 22 new starters. The number doesnt ask or answer the question. The number, in my opinion, doesnt even bode the question. It's whether that new starter is going to improve that spot overall. Is this guy an upgrade?

 

Good point.

 

I believe offensively:

 

RT Parnell

WR Robinson

TE Thomas

RB Denard

 

Will all be improvements over last year's opening day starters.  QB, FB (Gerhart), LT, LG, C, RG, WR2/3 should all be improved over what we had going into the year last year.  Obviously some players will regress (looking at you LT/LG starters) and some will get injured.  At this point, every position on offense should and can be better!

 

Defensively:

 

DE: Odrick 

Nickel: Colvin

 

I think there may be regression at the outside corner position with McCray and House taking over but overall the corner position should be better if Colvin slides to nickel and Gratz is the backup man.  DT is a tricky spot to project for 2015 because of the offseason surgeries to Miller and Marks.  They may be back for the early part of the season but I doubt they'll be in full form until the end of the season.  LB/LEO may get a boost in the draft but right now its a push or weaker than it was last year even with a healthy POZ. Safety is a position I have very little confidence in.  Not many FS available in the draft, Sergio is just a guy/ST player, and Cyp leaves much to be desired IMO.

 

The offense has been SO awful the last several years, I think any moderate improvement will REALLY help the defense.  Even though the defense might not get much of an injection of talent, playing with each other and adding speed via the draft and experience via veterans should help.  If the redzone D stays where it was last year this should be a good unit.  3rd down defense may improve purely based on how teams must adjust to field position and the threat of the offense.

 

TLDR: Offense should be A LOT better talent, experience, and cohesively.  Defense may not be as talented except for a few positions but should play better with another year of experience with each other and with better field position.

---