Expectations for the defensive line and defense as a whole

[Pantherzack179812]

Entering year 3 of the Marty 2.0 era, am I the only one that will be truly upset if this defensive line bombs in 2020? We have spent 3/4 of our Round 1 & 2 picks from 2019, 2020, gave Sam Weatherly 12.5 million for two years... I think it's about time we see some pressure on the QB.

The secondary is trash, I think most of us agree with that, but we had a top 5 defense in 2013 because our front 7 was unblockable, I feel that should be the expectation in 2020.

Derrick Brown is billed as an NFL ready guy, after completely ignoring the fact we lost Bradberry and the greatest MLB of all time with our 1st round pick, it will be extremely frustrating if he does not pan out quickly, top 10 picks are supposed to make day 1 impact (See Luke, Cam, CMC etc)... This was not the time to draft a developmental project on arguably our most stacked position group on our D (Not saying much) after adding Weatherly.

Brian Burns showed major promise in 2019, but injuries derailed his season, the expectation is he should be starter level year 2 being a mid-1st rounder. 

I don't have much expectation for Matos in 2020, the big 10 to the NFL is a big adjustment on D-line, big 10 schools typically don't have great O-lineman, hence why the SEC, ACC, and Big 12 kill them. 

I don't see this as a pass year for the defense, Hurney doesn't get to ignore 2 huge losses and draft lineman and spend 1/3 of our available cap space on a DE then get a pass... Now if it's crappy coaching and we lose games in the final minute every week, that's not on Hurney, but honestly, we have enough talent on the line we have no excuse to suck on defense next year.

Ultimately, it's pathetic if we spent all that and still can't get pressure. Yes our secondary isn't amazing, but it's pretty damn pathetic if they don't get help from the line after 3 premium picks.

We drafted CMC at the same exact pick, it should be reasonable to expect him to be 50% of the level of player CMC was his rookie year for us. 

[kungfoodude]

I am not sure I would agree that Big Ten schools don't have great OL. That is one of the things the Big Ten is kind of known for.

 

My expectations for the DL are to play well on the first unit and struggle quite a lot as we get into the depth players. I suspect Short will have a very good year with Brown next to him and that Burns will be a 10+ sack guy. 

Overall, I am anticipating being a bottom 10 unit in PPG, total yardage and passing yardage. I suspect our coverage will be bottom 5.

Overall, I want to see them not wilt like they did last season. I want to see the young guys play well and that there are pieces to build from. I don't want to see everyone struggle, effort to be seriously questioned and for it to look like the cupboard is completely bare.

[MHS831]

I appreciate an analysis--thanks for sharing.  We are young up front (2 rookie DTs, 1 rookie DE) and they will struggle at times vs. good OLs.  Our secondary could be surprisingly good--Apple and Jackson are entering the "light comes on" season. Chinn is going to ball, if they find a place for him---I think he becomes a LB.  We have no good MLB--that  is huge.  We are OK at S---maybe.

So---expect bottom half of the league at best--bottom 10 at worst.

[stbugs]

Not to nitpick but Brown was one pick before CMC.

If the DL disappoints then we will be the worst D in the league. That’s the only thing that can keep us respectable. We have one above average LB and a secondary that could all be below average and they are pretty green aside from Boston.

I don’t think Short will have that great of a season. This is year 3 after his last good year and he’s not young anymore. Brown, Roy and YGM are rookies. Expecting them to be anchors is asking a lot. Kind of like assuming Short will get back to 2015-2017 levels. Weatherly is a career backup, no clue if he can turn into more than rotation/depth. Honestly, Burns is the only person I expect to play at a high level, followed by Brown.

The other problem that no one optimistic for this season ever covers is depth. Just like CMC and Moore. If we lose 1 or 2 of Burns and Shaq and maybe Brown, our D could be really bad. Nicks always happen and when you are counting on rookies so much that means we aren’t deep and injuries/not playing up to expectations are really huge risks.

[AU-panther]

The success of our defensive line will be greatly influenced by how well our CBs play.

A good defensive line will make a secondary’s job easier, but your secondary lets your defensive line do their job in the first place.

If Brees and Beady are getting passes off in less than 3 secs it won’t matter how good the defensive line is. 

[panthers55]

21 hours ago, AU-panther said:

The success of our defensive line will be greatly influenced by how well our CBs play.

A good defensive line will make a secondary’s job easier, but your secondary lets your defensive line do their job in the first place.

If Brees and Beady are getting passes off in less than 3 secs it won’t matter how good the defensive line is. 

This.....

[LinvilleGorge]

If we finish middle of the pack in rushing D I'll consider it a huge win. As others have stated, the secondary will likely negatively impact the pass rush.

[ncfan]

To be honest.

 

It wouldnt suprise me to see them be on par with the 2013 DL

[Basbear]

I dont have a clue. If KK misses any time, they may allow the most points in NFL history. Ive heard good reports about both Brown and Gross, but that could be fluff cause they where early picks. 

No judgement or expectations. 

[electro's horse]

i just want to see improvement week to week

[Snake]

I'm not expecting much. Middle of the pack would be huge. I would say we don't crest 25 though. 

[Ship]

Derrick Brown is the missing piece to our D-Line. Guys like him unlock all the other guys on the line. I think we blow poo up. Burns is going to break out next to Brown and I think KK will bring it. I think the combo of Weatherly and YGM equals a good end. Both have room to grow too, so there is upside.

I think the D-Line will drive the defense to overachieve, that's what we've always seen on this team.

[Mistuh Jones]

I really think D Brown will be ready. KK's never had a guy like this next to him so I think the jury is out until they play but it at least looks positive so far. I have no worries about D Brown tbh