Wanted to work through this by position group, to see where things look better or not.
Wide Receiver:
Net: Wash
Diggs out, Doubs in. Probably a wash. I don't think this group was all that bad last season. They had a very good offense, albeit against a weak schedule, but if the OL was better, the passing stats would have been better yet. Of course AJ Brown is still out there. That will probably resolve itself after June 1.
Tight Ends:
Net: Slightly Worse
Hooper out, Julian Hill in. Probably a little downgrade. I expect this to be a target early/middle in the draft.
Offensive Line:
Net: Injury Dependent, hopefully better
Bradbury and Lowe out, Alijah Vera-Tucker in. Injury is the big IF here. I call this one TBD, could go either way. I do expect both Campbell and Wilson to be better in their second seasons. Also likely a target in the early draft. Even if AVT is injured, and Brown or Wallace have to play (or a rookie), it may not be the end of the world.
Defensive Front 7:
Net: Wash, maybe lightly worse
I am never sure who is a lineman or linebacker these days but Tonga is out and I am not sure there is a corresponding interior DL to replace him. Dre'Mont Jones is good, but more of an edge/contain DE type (which is a need also). Then Jennings, Tavai, Gibbens, and Chaisson are all out, all smaller LB types. Jesse Luketa and KJ Britt seem to be the replacements. Seems like there are still some needs here, probably addressed in the draft. Williams and Barmore will still anchor this group.
Defensive Backs:
Net: Better
Jaylinn Hawkins and Alex Austin are out but Kevin Byard and Mike Brown are in. This feels like a positive for the group overall. Overall, this group should be very good anchored by Gonzalez and Davis.
RB/QB:
Net: Wash
Updating this, I guess I could have included Antonio Gibson out and Reggie Gilliam in. This probably does not change things much. Still a very solid (even elite) group with Maye, Stevenson, and Henderson.
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The offseason is not over, so more things could transpire, and then there is the draft. Rookies are only going to do so much but there could be some helpful depth picked up in the draft. Picks could still be traded for players also. For the draft, I expect the following to be the priority:
Outside LB/Edge
Tight End
Offensive Line
Defensive Line
It would be nice to get a starter at OLB/Edge, not sure how realistic that is. Just getting solid depth at the other positions would be fine. You won't fill all your needs in a given draft. There are enough needs that there should be flexibility to balance taking the best available vs. picking for need.
