Daily Short #197, June 27th, 2018: Fall Depth Chart Projection: Defense V.1
presented by the Dental Offices of Wendy Swantkowski, DDS
The Absolute BEST in family and cosmetic dentistry for the Houston-Memorial Area
Now Accepting New Patients --- 281-293-9140
Support the Short by supporting our sponsor - Give Wendy a call today!
A few notes on the chart and this process:
- It's extremely open to change. The slotting here is based not only on what we're hearing but also on my general feel for how the various situations are likely to shake out. There will very likely be big changes through a few different versions through the remainder of the month leading to fall camp.
- An "OR" between players indicates and either/or situation. In these cases, it does not matter the player who is listed highest. Again, An "OR" between players indicates and either/or situation. In these cases, it does not matter the player who is listed highest. Again, An "OR" between players indicates and either/or situation. In these cases, it does not matter the player who is listed highest.
- Click here for V.1 on the offensive side of the ball, which felt somewhat less tricky.
- This projection is for the "base" 3-4 nickel package, but it should be noted that the dime package was really more of the base for Orlando's defense in 2017 and we should expect more of the same in 2018 by all indications. (more on that below).
- I wrote a few notes below about why I slotted certain players in certain positions along with a few general thoughts when looking at the projection on the whole.
Some thoughts on constructing V.1 of the chart
- When you look at the linebackers, it's a tough sell for me to say that Malcolm Roach is going to be relegated to playing the B-Backer spot which gets such little run in Orlando's defense once it shifts to its lightning package where an extra safety is brought in. Roach was good enough at ILB in the spring filling in for an injured Gary Johnson that he should be in consideration to overtake Anthony Wheeler at the MACK position and play alongside Johnson, who's probably the best player on the defense coming into the season and whose job is safe. After this 2018 season, proven ILB depth will begin becoming a bit of a concern with Wheeler, Johnson and Freeman all on their way out. It's very reasonable to project the strong possibility of a Roach/Adeoye starting LB unit inside for 2019.
- It seems like DB P.J. Locke has a job that is going to be safe and it's hard to tell whether that will be at safety or at nickel. In either case, Caden Sterns should figure into at least the starting mix at the other spot.
- It could be the case that SO CBs Eric Cuffee and Donovan Duvernay have been solidly recruited over via some of the younger guys. I have trouble seeing either of them competing with true freshman like Anthony Cook, Jalen Green (and to a lesser extent, D'Shawn Jamison) down the stretch when push comes to shove.
- When the defense does go to the lightning package, players who may look a little bit buried on the depth chart above such as B.J. Foster and Demarion Overshown both have good chances of earning those significant reps if they show during camp that they're going to be hard to take off the field. (Caden Sterns may also enter the conversation for these purposes). Orlando will surely shuffle things up given the cross-positional versatility many of these guys have on the back-end to get his best six DBs on the field.
- The starting alignments of the true FR DE-types like Joseph Ossai, Daniel Carson and Michael Williams will be key storylines to follow heading into fall camp. Depth along the three-man defensive front is starting to look strong if the young depth can develop at the end spots.
- I know DT D'Andre Christmas got some lip service from the staff to end spring ball, but until he puts out quality effort consistently and we see that in a practice setting (or hear definitive word another way) then I'm going to hesitantly slot newcomer Keondre Coburn over him in the initial pecking order.
presented by the Dental Offices of Wendy Swantkowski, DDS
The Absolute BEST in family and cosmetic dentistry for the Houston-Memorial Area
Now Accepting New Patients --- 281-293-9140
Support the Short by supporting our sponsor - Give Wendy a call today!
A few notes on the chart and this process:
- It's extremely open to change. The slotting here is based not only on what we're hearing but also on my general feel for how the various situations are likely to shake out. There will very likely be big changes through a few different versions through the remainder of the month leading to fall camp.
- An "OR" between players indicates and either/or situation. In these cases, it does not matter the player who is listed highest. Again, An "OR" between players indicates and either/or situation. In these cases, it does not matter the player who is listed highest. Again, An "OR" between players indicates and either/or situation. In these cases, it does not matter the player who is listed highest.
- Click here for V.1 on the offensive side of the ball, which felt somewhat less tricky.
- This projection is for the "base" 3-4 nickel package, but it should be noted that the dime package was really more of the base for Orlando's defense in 2017 and we should expect more of the same in 2018 by all indications. (more on that below).
- I wrote a few notes below about why I slotted certain players in certain positions along with a few general thoughts when looking at the projection on the whole.
Click Image to Enlarge
Some thoughts on constructing V.1 of the chart
- When you look at the linebackers, it's a tough sell for me to say that Malcolm Roach is going to be relegated to playing the B-Backer spot which gets such little run in Orlando's defense once it shifts to its lightning package where an extra safety is brought in. Roach was good enough at ILB in the spring filling in for an injured Gary Johnson that he should be in consideration to overtake Anthony Wheeler at the MACK position and play alongside Johnson, who's probably the best player on the defense coming into the season and whose job is safe. After this 2018 season, proven ILB depth will begin becoming a bit of a concern with Wheeler, Johnson and Freeman all on their way out. It's very reasonable to project the strong possibility of a Roach/Adeoye starting LB unit inside for 2019.
- It seems like DB P.J. Locke has a job that is going to be safe and it's hard to tell whether that will be at safety or at nickel. In either case, Caden Sterns should figure into at least the starting mix at the other spot.
- It could be the case that SO CBs Eric Cuffee and Donovan Duvernay have been solidly recruited over via some of the younger guys. I have trouble seeing either of them competing with true freshman like Anthony Cook, Jalen Green (and to a lesser extent, D'Shawn Jamison) down the stretch when push comes to shove.
- When the defense does go to the lightning package, players who may look a little bit buried on the depth chart above such as B.J. Foster and Demarion Overshown both have good chances of earning those significant reps if they show during camp that they're going to be hard to take off the field. (Caden Sterns may also enter the conversation for these purposes). Orlando will surely shuffle things up given the cross-positional versatility many of these guys have on the back-end to get his best six DBs on the field.
- The starting alignments of the true FR DE-types like Joseph Ossai, Daniel Carson and Michael Williams will be key storylines to follow heading into fall camp. Depth along the three-man defensive front is starting to look strong if the young depth can develop at the end spots.
- I know DT D'Andre Christmas got some lip service from the staff to end spring ball, but until he puts out quality effort consistently and we see that in a practice setting (or hear definitive word another way) then I'm going to hesitantly slot newcomer Keondre Coburn over him in the initial pecking order.
