Are we a better team now than we were a week ago?

 

 

Yes, but not as much as I'd hoped we'd be.

 

Though I wondered about the Jackson signing within the context of a deep DT class, he is a good player, upgrades either LDE or DT at the starter level, and gives us depth and versatility by moving people down.

 

Chris Ivory is a strong runner who minimally upgrades the team over ex Jaguar Toby Gerhart and current project Shoelace.  With Yeldon, he will provide a 1-2 punch in the running game.  I've heard that Ivory was not particularly effective in short yardage, which will continue to be a concern unless we can find another physical interior OL to go along with Linder and Cann.

 

I won't pretend to know or care about Nortman.

 

However, I am excited about the Gipson signing.  He is young, a clear upgrade over Sergio Brown, and gives us our best FS since Deon Grant.  He has a nose for the football.

 

As it stands now, I would think this group of signings reduces the likelihood of Ramsey or Buckner at 5 and increases the chances of Bosa or Myles Jack.

 

However, because we missed out on Vernon, Irvin and Williams, I think we missed an opportunity to significantly improve the pass rush, still the biggest weakness on the defense.

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