I agree. Although I might lean more towards a Landon Collins just on the age difference.

It's incremental; and while the league overall is only up a little, the elite offenses are taking advantage of the new rules and increased emphasis on any contact downfield. In the postseason, these are the teams you will need to beat, and what you need to try to build a defense to stop.

I go ahead and switch to a 4-3 (which is actually almost a 4-2-5)
Let Ford walk, no position in a 4-3, too expensive for a situational player. Let Bailey walk as well.
I sign Geno Atkins with some of Ford's money. Houston-Jones-Atkins-Speaks at DE, hand in the dirt at about 280 lbs

I play: FA coverbacker (several options) -Hitchens- O'Daniel
I sign Landon Collins and play Watts/Lucas in the other slot. if Berry returns we're ****ing great, but I'm not expecting it.
I hope Tremon Smith can take a job from Scandrick or Nelson, opposite Fuller. look for undervalued speed at CB in FA and draft. Just get faster, nothing else matters. Just so guys don't look wide open running down the field.

In rounds 1 and 2a, 2b I take: A DT with some pass rush ability, probably another Safety, and another speed CB. Middle rounds I'm drafting OL. Late rounds athletic projects as they are available for any position.

Just my hypothetical .02

You're not the only one holding out some hope for Tremon Smith

He quickly claimed a starting special teams role, with any luck that bodes well for him

I like a lot of this, but I don't think you draft another safety high if you have collins and Berry on the roster.

I also think Atkins signed an extension with the Bengals, so he's unavailable.

I mentioned this someplace a while back, but my thoughts are that turnovers are getting amplified. A turnover has never in NFL history been more likely to prevent points and more like to produce points.

Since defenders aren't allowed to touch the offense any more, that means that the most valuable player is a ball hawking free safety. He's in the best position to get interceptions without having penalties called on him.

I agree that interior pass rushers are the wave of the future.

As for cornerbacks, I feel like the future is smaller ultra-quick cornerbacks. They can't fight for the ball, so they have the beat the receivers to the ball. This is a risky move, though, given that bigger WRs can be pinpointed over their heads.

You're correct, he signed a 4-year extension before the season.

Yep. Cut off the quick passing game and force turnovers = Fast Interior Lineman + Coverage LBs + Quick DBs that can mirror routes

I think you can still have big press corners. But we need rangier lbs and safeties need to do their job. I don't love Ragland this year.

The big strength we have now that I don't want to go away is versatility. A lot of our defenders can play multiple positions and techniques. The under scheme does a great job of mixing things up. I'm not convinced our current scheme consistently uses our talent the right way.

I'm not seeing that signing anywhere....but if so, bummer. Another like player then...

I googled it and it was pretty easy to find.

Details:

https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/cincinna...o-atkins-6628/