(01-29-2023, 12:40 PM)Norseman Wrote: Am I the only one who thinks we need someone (either a SS or LB) who can handle TEs? After all, we did terrible against TEs this year. Are there any prospects likely to be available that fills that need? If so, which round are they projected to go?

I mean every team we are likely to meet in a likely play-off run has a quality TE: KC-Kelce, Bills-Knox, Ravens-Andrews, Bengals-Hurst, just to name a few. And then there is Kittle, Pitts, Schultz, Hockenson and Goddard +++ in the NFC.

It is a major issue.

A proper NB and a SS that can cover would radically change this defense. 

We went this entire season without a real Nickelback and the position was picked on incessantly in many games. 

We went this entire season without a SS having average or better coverage skill.
 Jenkins 71% completion rate allowed when targeted was an issue at some key moments when we needed to make a stop. Not taking away from his many impactful plays, just pointing out the other side of the coin here. It's a problem.

You shore up those two positions with guys that are top 50% of the league at their positions and all of a sudden this defense looks completely different IMO. 

 A really nice percentage of those 61 pressures our starting OLBs had would magically turn into sacks. I guarantee it. They'd have time to get home from the improved coverage. 

Not to mention the absurd reception numbers we gave up to TEs or big slot receivers all year. That would normalize.

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