Why '23 will be better than '22: Front 7

[Frozenropers]

Plan A being, counting on an UDFA to start and perform up to NFL starter standards is a recipe for disaster.

 

[Kamcussionator]

Plan A being, counting on an UDFA to start and perform up to NFL starter standards is a recipe for disaster.

Don't tell Doug Baldwin, Jermaine Kearse, Joe Nash, Mack Strong, Jordan Babineaux, Jim Zorn/Dave Krieg that...

 

[Kamcussionator]

I'd be curious to know what Charles Cross has to say about Cameron Young, since they were both at Miss St.

Also, Young and UDFA Jonah Tavai played in 3-3-5 schemes which we know PCJS have talked a lot about where they want to put 3 safeties on the field.

I wouldn't be surprised to see 4-3 bear fronts on 1st down, 3-4 base fronts on 2nd down, and 3-3-5 big nickel fronts on 3rd down during the season.

It's May though. I guess we won't know for sure until training camp in July/Aug.

 

[Frozenropers]

Don't tell Doug Baldwin, Jermaine Kearse, Joe Nash, Mack Strong, Jordan Babineaux, Jim Zorn/Dave Krieg that...

Let’s see……how many of those were starters week one of year one?

Point stands……..relying on an UDFA to start is a recipe for disaster.

 

[Frozenropers]

Don't tell Doug Baldwin, Jermaine Kearse, Joe Nash, Mack Strong, Jordan Babineaux, Jim Zorn/Dave Krieg that...

Also, just to play along……how many UDFA has the Hawks invited to camp during the years covering those players careers you just listed? What roughly do you think, was the percent of those UDFA’s that were invited to camp during those years became starters in the NFL in their first year?

just saying. It’s not a sound strategy. Every year people go Gaga over the UDFA this time of the offseason and if we are lucky we end up with one or two even making the roster.

 

[Kamcussionator]

Let’s see……how many of those were starters week one of year one?

Point stands……..relying on an UDFA to start is a recipe for disaster.

I don't how many started in week one of year one. Not many rookies do.

I do know that there were a lot more than 255 football players leaving college last year, so the odds of there being undrafted pro-caliber talent are pretty good.

Relying on just your 7 draft picks every year to fill your roster would be a recipe for disaster.

 

[Frozenropers]

I don't how many started in week one of year one. Not many rookies do.

I do know that there were a lot more than 255 football players leaving college last year, so the odds of there being undrafted pro-caliber talent are pretty good.

Relying on just your 7 draft picks every year to fill your roster would be a recipe for disaster.

I think maybe the discussion has gotten lost in the hyperbole. Is it sound strategy to invite the best UDFa’s you can to camp every year and see if you can find a diamond in the rough or two to fill out the back end Of the roster and possibly become something more down the line? Of course it is.

Is it sound roster building strategy for a team that wants to compete in the playoffs to count on finding a core D-Line starter or primary backup from your UDFA list, who will need to play significant minutes day one a sound strategy? I think not. Not impossible for it to happen, but also not likely.
I realize fans get enamored with prospects this time of year and we all envision the next greatest UDFA success will be the prospect we’ve patched on to.

 

[had2bhawk]

Last years Defense was non existent because basic coverage was not performed. Any UDFA the Hawks get on board will be a great improvement.

 

[Sgt. Largent]

Plan A being, counting on an UDFA to start and perform up to NFL starter standards is a recipe for disaster.

I think it's safe to assume there will be one or two more D-line free agent additions before camp.

If not? Yes, you're right. This D-line doesn't have near enough interior depth in it's current rotation. Probably need another cheap vet LB as well.

 

[SoulfishHawk]

No doubt ^
Maybe some June 1 cap casualties. Hoping they add a LB and another DT

 

[Appyhawk]

It will be very interesting to see how many from this draft class make the 53, not to mention the UDFAs. First year guy normally take some time to adjust and get tuned in to NFL level play. Hoping they play like all stars is asking more than we're likely to get. Thankfully our offense looks like it will be good enough to help limit the opportunities our defense will have to fail.
Nice thread Sgt!

 

[Seahawker]

I think we will see an inordinate number of this draft class & the UDFA's make the final 53.
Some of this will because of our new found talent pool & a portion due to our salary cap problems.

 

[toffee]

We drafted well this year, however we did not invest early round picks to address the soft middle in our front 7. Guys we passed on would include Carter, Kancey, Mazi, or Benton, Campbell, etc. Are these guys sure fire day one starters? Who knows, but before camp and preseason games, those names sounded sexier than our Young, Cooper, and Devon Bush.

 

[MyrtleHawk]

We drafted well this year, however we did not invest early round picks to address the soft middle in our front 7. Guys we passed on would include Carter, Kancey, Mazi, or Benton, Campbell, etc. Are these guys sure fire day one starters? Who knows, but before camp and preseason games, those names sounded sexier than our Young, Cooper, and Devon Bush.

One thing that I keep forgetting about and occasionally remembering is, we can poach from other team's practice squads if we absolutely need specific players. Think rounds 5-7, all those gems that are more likely to end up on someone's PS due to 53 cut-downs...Names that were thrown around here that people wanted on the Hawks.

5th round picks
-Jaquelin Roy, DT
-Noah Sewell, LB
-SirVocea Dennis, LB
-Henry To'oTo'o, LB
-Owen Pappoe, LB

6th round picks
-Karl Brooks, LB
-Keondre Coburn, DT
-Dee Winters, LB

7th round picks
-Moro Ojomo, DT

Any one of these players could be stashed on their team's Practice Squad, ripe for the picking if we truly need front 7 help...

 

[Fade]

The Actual front 7:

5T - Dre Jones
3T - Jarran Reed
1T - Hasn't been signed yet (Cam Young -/- place holder)
Leo - Uchenna Nwosu
Sam - Mafe/Hall

Mike - Wagner
Will - Devin Bush

DPR- Taylor (Won't play in the base)

 

[Frozenropers]

The Actual front 7:

5T - Dre Jones
3T - Jarran Reed
1T - Hasn't been signed yet (Cam Young -/- place holder)
Leo - Uchenna Nwosu
Sam - Mafe/Hall

Mike - Wagner
Will - Devin Bush

DPR- Taylor (Won't play in the base)

That’s how I see it right now, as well. I think Young can be good in time, but they need at least one veteran body that can play NT (1T). I think it could be a very exciting group if they solve the 1T issue.

 

[BASF]

We drafted well this year, however we did not invest early round picks to address the soft middle in our front 7. Guys we passed on would include Carter, Kancey, Mazi, or Benton, Campbell, etc. Are these guys sure fire day one starters? Who knows, but before camp and preseason games, those names sounded sexier than our Young, Cooper, and Devon Bush.

There was no way that we could justify taking Kancey at five, so we did not actually pass on him. Mazi was a reach in the first round, so passing on him at 20 was reasonable. I think we were disappointed that Benton went three picks before us, but I can't imagine him being a good choice at 37. I was never really sold on Campbell.

As far as the Carter pass, I had to remind myself that he seems as selfish as Me3 and I made peace with us not drafting him.

 

[SoulfishHawk]

He dropped down to #9 for a reason. Well, probably several.

 

[toffee]

There was no way that we could justify taking Kancey at five, so we did not actually pass on him. Mazi was a reach in the first round, so passing on him at 20 was reasonable. I think we were disappointed that Benton went three picks before us, but I can't imagine him being a good choice at 37. I was never really sold on Campbell.

As far as the Carter pass, I had to remind myself that he seems as selfish as Me3 and I made peace with us not drafting him.

I quite agree with you, whether we "passed" on those guys, or we didn't "reach" for them, we could but we didn't get them. And we didn't for good reasons.

 

[toffee]

The Actual front 7:

5T - Dre Jones
3T - Jarran Reed
1T - Hasn't been signed yet (Cam Young -/- place holder)
Leo - Uchenna Nwosu
Sam - Mafe/Hall

Mike - Wagner
Will - Devin Bush

DPR- Taylor (Won't play in the base)

We are still a bit undetermined at the middle, 1T/NT and Devin Bush, at least most here aren't sold on Bush yet.