Back in September, I took a look at the 2017 Bears, imaging what steps could transpire between now and then to set the club up for success. In the intervening time, we've learned a lot more about (1) the 2015 Bears, (2) the 2016 NFL draft prospects, and (3) the basic approach of John Fox and Ryan Pace.
It seems certain that Offensive Coordinator Adam Gase will be finding his way to a promotion elsewhere this week. Good for him. From the Bears' perspective, that means that the club will be looking for a new offensive head man in addition to looking to improve the roster this spring.
The team showed marked improvement after a disastrous 0-3 start that featured basically no resistance to Aaron Rodgers in the opener, a beatdown at home thanks to the Cardinals, and an absolute drubbing in Seattle at the hands of the defending conference champions. The team settled into a 6-7 run the rest of the way, losing plenty of games due to a dearth of talent and some special teams woes while winning a handful of tight games, including three nail-biters against 2015 playoff squads (Green Bay, Kansas City, and Washington).
I still don't see a way for the Bears to be a great team before 2017, but the Pace/Fox regime showed enough in 2015 to allow me to squint enough to see 10 wins in 2016 if everything breaks just right. Why am I so optimistic? Two reasons: cap space (and the necessary cash on hand to go with it) and the returns from the 2015 rookie class.
The Bears have something like $35M of cap space this spring even accounting for their draft class and Alshon Jeffery's franchise tag. They should have oodles of cash on hand as well. That's a great combination heading into free agency.
As for the 2015 rookie class, it was a truly impressive bunch. Top pick Kevin White missed the entire season with a stress fracture, and while some of the updates from his recovery were less than thrilling, there's plenty of reason to hope that he recovers in full this summer in advance of the 2016 season. I was an unabashed White fan; he was one of my favorite draft targets at wide receiver since...well, Alshon. The Jeffery-White pairing could be dominant.
Second-rounder Eddie Goldman emerged as the 3-4 NT anchor that we hoped he would be. With minimal continued improvement, he should be a foundational piece for the defense.
Third-rounder Hroniss Grasu was forced into action a year ahead of schedule, and he desperately needs to add at least 15 pounds to his frame if he's going to make it. That said, his quickness was evident and a slightly larger Grasu should be a solid starter at center.
Fourth-rounder Jeremy Langford has Bears fans talking about Matt Forte's impending departure as if it's basically nothing. That says a lot.
Fifth-rounder safety Adrian Amos grabbed a starting job and never let go, improving his angles as the year went out. I watched him pick off plenty of balls while at Penn State, and a stronger front seven should give him a chance to show his ball skills moving forward.
Sixth-rounder OT Tayo Fabuluje was the one non-contributor of the group and he even got suspended for a substance violation, but he was always going to be a project on the line. There's hope here that he can grow into a reserve role.
On top of those draftees, a quintet of undrafted free agents made some serious noise this year. From most likely to stick around long term to least likely to do so:
- TE Khari Lee: he was plenty adept as a blocker and moves well enough to suggest that he'll develop as a pass catcher, to some degree anyway
- CB Bryce Callahan: for a team with desperate needs at CB, Callahan was a find before succumbing to injury
- S Harold Jones-Quartey: looked like a legitimate starter in late-season action; he should stick as a reserve at the least
- ILB Jonathan Anderson: looks physically overmatched but he did get on the field
- ILB John Timu: ditto Anderson, though less physically overmatched
That is a ton of rookie contributions. This draft class has the chance to be among the best that the Bears have ever had, especially if White proves to be the stud that I imagined and not an injury washout.
So how can the Bears build the roster that they'd need to get to 10 wins next year? Let's try to do it.
As always, I'll start with a look at the current roster and move on to free agency and the draft.
Specialists
Current Players: Robbie Gould (K), Pat O'Donnell (P), Patrick Scales (LS)
2016 Players: UNKNOWN (K), O'Donnell (P), Scales (LS)
Level of Need: 3
Analysis: Even though this group likely won't change unless the team finds a vastly preferable long snapper, it's time to move on from Gould, as much as it pains me to say it.
Quarterback
Current Players: Jay Cutler, David Fales
2016 Players: Cutler, Fales
Level of Need: 6
Analysis: Cutler likely gets cut following the 2016 season barring a stunning advancement, but with $10M of dead money against the 2016 cap if he is cut this spring versus just $2M of dead money against the 2017 cap if he is cut in March 2017, he should stick around. He's probably no better than an average starter right now, but the Bears could certainly do worse.
Center
Current Players: Will Montgomery, Hroniss Grasu
2016 Players: Grasu
Level of Need: 1
Analysis: This is Grasu's job to lose.
Guard
Current Players: Matt Slauson, Vladimir Ducasse, Patrick Omameh
2016 Players: Slauson, UNKNOWN, UNKNOWN
Level of Need: 9
Analysis: Slauson has been great whereas Ducasse and Omameh were dreadful. The team must find new options at guard. Ideally, Kyle Long slides back inside. Unfortunately, the front office and coaching staff seem dead-set on Long playing tackle. Fabuluje could become the backup guard.
Offensive Tackle
Current Players: Jermon Bushrod, Kyle Long, Charles Leno, Jr., Tayo Fabuluje
2016 Players: Long, Leno, Fabuluje, UNKNOWN
Level of Need: 8
Analysis: Bushrod is likely done with his playing career. Even if it's not time to retire, the Bears will be cutting him this spring. Accordingly, the need for a left tackle is...surprisingly not a 10? Leno acquitted himself well and may offer enough to dream on. In an ideal world, the front office will acquire a franchise-caliber tackle and slide Leno into a reserve/swing role.
Running Back
Current Players: Matt Forte, Jeremy Langford, Jacquizz Rodgers, Ka'Deem Carey, Senorise Perry (IR)
2016 Players: Langford, Carey, Perry, UNKNOWN
Level of Need: 3
Analysis: I no longer expect Forte back, but in 2016, it's unlikely that the Bears will commit any major resources to finding Langford a complementary back. Nor should they. Carey has carved out a role as a special teamer and short-yardage back. Good for him.
Wide Receiver
Current Players: Alshon Jeffery, Kevin White, Eddie Royal, Marquess Wilson, Cameron Meredith, Marc Mariani, Josh Bellamy, Deonte Thompson
2016 Players: Jeffery, White, Royal, Wilson, Thompson
Level of Need: 1
Analysis: I'm just assuming that Alshon gets the franchise tag unless he agrees to a long-term deal. There's no way that the Bears will just let him walk...right?
With needs elsewhere on the roster, this position group actually looks quite strong even if every member comes with rather significant injury concerns.
Tight End
Current Players: Martellus Bennett, Zach Miller, Khari Lee, Gannon Sinclair
2016 Players: Miller, Lee, UNKNOWN, UNKNOWN
Level of Need: 8
Analysis: I have a feeling that Marty will be playing elsewhere next year. I doubt that the Bears will demand any aggressive bounty in any deal, and they will probably move him for the right to recoup the sixth-round pick traded to Houston to acquire Lee last fall. In that case, the team needs bodies at this spot.
A reunion with Miller would be eminently reasonable. If Miller bolts, this need is a full-blown 10.
Nose Tackle
Current Players: Eddie Goldman, D'Anthony Smith
2016 Players: Goldman, UNKNOWN
Level of Need: 2
Analysis: Goldman was discussed above. He's a huge piece of this defense. He does need a reserve, however.
Defensive End
Current Players: Ego Ferguson, Jarvis Jenkins, Cornelius Washington, Will Sutton
2016 Players: Ferguson, Sutton, Washington, UNKNOWN
Level of Need: 10
Analysis: I went back and forth on whether to list Jenkins above, but in the end, his disappearing act in the second half of the season didn't do him any favors. Both Ferguson and Sutton have shown flashes when healthy, though both now have rather lengthy injury histories. Washington converted his body to play the position...then promptly missed the entire year. He may be done with the Bears.
The 3-4 only functions with strong DE play. The Bears must find an above-average (or better) starter this spring.
Inside Linebacker
Current Players: Shea McClellin, Christian Jones, Jonathan Anderson, John Timu, Lamin Barrow
2016 Players: Jones, UNKNOWN, UNKNOWN, UNKNOWN, UNKNOWN
Level of Need: 10
Analysis: Perhaps I should turn the dial up to 11 on this one.
The Bears need two new starters in the inside. It's that simple. One of them has to be a big-time playmaker who can stay on the field for three downs.
Outside Linebacker
Current Players: Pernell McPhee, Lamarr Houston, Sam Acho, Willie Young
2016 Players: McPhee, Houston, Young, UNKNOWN
Level of Need: 6
Analysis: I have almost no feel for this group. McPhee was great when healthy (about half of the year), decent when hobbled, and out when out. The Bears need him healthy to be a centerpiece player.
Houston couldn't get on the field in the first half and seemed destined to be cut, but his strong second half has me rethinking that. He counts for $6.99M against the '16 cap if he is on the roster, but he still counts $2.97M against the cap even if he is cut. He's almost certainly worth another year at those dollar figures.
Young is just a good pass rusher. If he could be traded for a sixth-round pick, I suspect that he will be. Short of that, he's a nice reserve to keep around.
There is a need at this position, especially looking to 2017, but it isn't anywhere near the need that the Bears have elsewhere.
Cornerback
Current Players: Kyle Fuller, Alan Ball, Tracy Porter, Sherrick McManis, Terrance Mitchell, Bryce Callahan
2016 Players: Fuller, Callahan, McManis, UNKNOWN, UNKNOWN, UNKNOWN
Level of Need: 10
Analysis: Just like inside linebacker, the Bears need multiple cornerbacks capable of starting. McManis may not even be back, in which case the club will need multiple reserves as well.
Fuller has been up and down. Hopefully 2016 features more up.
Porter would like good coming back.
Safety
Current Players: Antrel Rolle, Adrian Amos, Ryan Mundy, Demontre Hurst, Harold Jones-Quartey
2016 Players: Amos, Rolle, Jones-Quartey, UNKNOWN, UNKNOWN
Level of Need: 4
Analysis: Now that the Brock Vereen nightmare is over, the Bears can get serious about finding another safety.
Amos looks like a keeper, and Rolle could come back as, although his deal is non-guaranteed, his cap number takes a sizable drop in 2016. Jones-Quartey actually looked pretty good. Still, the Bears should add another potential long-term starter here. And replacing Rolle with a better veteran wouldn't get any objections from this writer.
MOST IMPORTANT TARGETS
The groupings above make this clear but in a bulkier fashion. Here it is much more simply. The Bears desperately need to find:
- a starting DE
- two starting ILBs
- a starting CB
- a starting OT/OG
- a starting-caliber TE
The Bears need more than just this, but failing to fulfill any of the above objectives would leave obvious and massive holes entering 2016.
FREE AGENCY
It would be delightful if the draft occurred prior to the free agency period, but since it doesn't work that way, I suspect that the Bears will target a couple of notable players in free agency and leave the rest of the heavy lifting to the crapshoot that is the draft.
There do appear to be two franchise tackle prospects in this draft class with Ole Miss's Laremy Tunsil almost certainly heading to Tennessee and Notre Dame's Ronnie Stanley looking at a top-eight selection, but given the team's desire to solidify the offensive line, the Bears can't really afford to wait until the draft to find out if either player slips or comes available in trade. Accordingly, I'd like to see the Bears pounce on one of the big names in free agency, Seattle left tackle Russell Okung, with a big deal that accounts for Okung's injury risk, inking Okung to a six-year, $65M deal with $31M guaranteed:
Signing Bonus: $12M
2016: $5M (guaranteed)
2017: $7M (guaranteed)
2018: $7M (guaranteed - or guarantees before 2017)
2019: $9M (non-guaranteed)
2020: $11M (non-guaranteed)
2021: $14M (non-guaranteed)
In addition to Okung, I think that the Bears will add at least two new defensive starters to the mix via free agency. The first one is a rather obvious fit, though the Bears will have to pay a loser's tax to get him, signing Broncos ILB Danny Trevathan to a four-year, $22M deal with $10M guaranteed:
Signing Bonus: $0
2016: $6M (guaranteed - base salary and mid-summer roster bonus in lieu of signing bonus)
2017: $4M (guaranteed)
2018: $5M (non-guaranteed)
2019: $6M (non-guaranteed)
This is the part of the exercise where I'd love to say that the Bears will splurge, making that franchise-altering move to sign injured DE Muhammad Wilkerson away from the Jets. If the Jets don't franchise Wilkerson, I'm certain that the Bears will have interest. But I just don't see it. The draft features a number of compelling 3-4 DE targets and the risk with Wilkerson will be significant unless he is willing to take a deal similar to the one that Henry Melton signed with the Cowboys, albeit with significantly greater compensation.
Instead, I'd like to see the Bears add a different impact defensive end, one who may not jump off the page in the way that Wilkerson does.
The Broncos are headed for a salary cap nightmare with Von Miller earning a massive deal and Brock Osweiler all of a sudden looking like a possible franchise quarterback. Unfortunately for Denver, if they allow Osweiler to walk, teams like the Jets and Texans may be ready to pounce. Denver cannot afford to lose its quarterback of the future (and quite possibly the present). Accordingly, in addition to losing Trevathan to John Fox's new team, the hope here is that the Bears make their big move by nabbing DE Malik Jackson from the Broncos to be this year's Pernell McPhee, a former part-time player who excels in a limited role before exploding in his new, full-time gig. Jackson wreaks havoc from the end spot in a way that no Bear did in 2015. There may yet again be a rather significant loser's tax to pay, but the Bears basically have to pay it as part of a five-year, $50M deal with $23M guaranteed:
Signing Bonus: $7M
2016: $5M (guaranteed)
2017: $7M (guaranteed)
2018: $8M ($4M guaranteed before 2017)
2019: $10M (non-guaranteed)
2020: $13M (non-guaranteed)
Finally, the club will close out free agency by inking Cardinals tight end Jermaine Gresham to a one-year, $3.5M deal and bringing back Porter for $3M on a one-year pact.
The five signings proposed above -- Okung, Trevathan, Jackson, Gresham, and Porter -- would feature cap hits totaling $25.9M, so it's entirely possible that the Bears (1) go after another big target, (2) put more of each player's projected 2017-18 money against the 2016 cap, or (3) decide to hold on to excess cap space in the event that a bargain somehow emerges later in the offseason.
Regardless, these five moves would go a long way toward shoring up some seriously problematic areas of the roster.
2016 DRAFT
I'm going to approach this section as if the above free agent moves took place while simultaneously noting the other players who would be relevant for the Bears at each draft spot as if free agent additions didn't fill the voids as listed above.
First Round (#11 overall)
Possibilities: DE A'Shawn Robinson (Alabama), ILB Myles Jack (UCLA), DE DeForest Buckner (Oregon), LB Jaylon Smith (Notre Dame), ILB Reggie Ragland (Alabama), CB Vernon Hargreaves (Florida), OT Jack Conklin (Michigan State)
Analysis: For these purposes, I'm assuming OT Laremy Tunsil, OT Ronnie Stanely, QB Jared Goff, WR Laquon Treadwell, and DE Joey Bosa are squarely off the board. Makes sense.
At that point, the Bears find themselves looking at seven prospects, though only five really jump out to me. Conklin would be a reach at this point while Ragland seems like the kind of good, not great addition that the Bears could be happy with were they picking 21st instead of 11th.
Hargreaves is an attractive option for a secondary looking for playmakers. At 5'11", 192 lbs., he has enough size to play on an island. While he can be a bit aggressive at times, he has exactly the type of ball skills and big-play explosiveness that should be attractive to any regime.
Smith likely wouldn't have been available were it not for a gruesome injury suffered in the Fiesta Bowl with the linebacker tearing both the ACL and LCL in his left knee. His teammates were clearly devastated and Ohio State's Ezekiel Elliott offered support and lingered while Smith was tended to by trainers. When healthy, he is a star linebacker with tremendous leadership skills. However, after wasting one of Kevin White's five control years, I imagine that GM Ryan Pace will shy away from Smith, at least in the first round.
Robinson is a force at defensive end, though his pass rushing leaves a little something to be desired. He'd be a strong choice nonetheless.
Buckner offers more pass rushing prowess and his addition would immediately beef up the defensive front, especially if paired with Malik Jackson as proposed here. At 6'7", 287 lbs., he's an NFL-ready 3-4 DE with plus rushing skills.
Despite the appeal of those final four, the pick here is an easy one for me: Myles Jack is the type of athlete and leader that the Bears defense has missed since Brian Urlacher's heyday. To be clear: Jack wouldn't be Urlacher. To be clear again: Jack's playmaking ability is off the charts and his coverage skills are immensely valuable in the current NFL, rendering him a true three-down force. His minor knee injury is of only minimal concern. I think that Jack will be the best defensive player in this draft class, so getting him at #11 would be a monumental leap forward for the rebuilding process.
The Pick: ILB Myles Jack (UCLA)
Second Round (#39 overall)
Possibilities: OLB Shilique Calhoun (Michigan State), CB Mackensie Alexander (Clemson), DE Austin Johnson (Penn State), TE O.J. Howard (Alabama), CB Eli Apple (Ohio State), S Jayron Kearse (Clemson)
Analysis: Johnson is the only member of this group who didn't participate in the College Football Playoff, so it may seem like there is some cherry picking in play here. That couldn't be further from the truth.
Starting with Johnson, he looks an awful lot like a poor man's A'Shawn Robinson to me. Stout against the run, below-average but competent rushing the passer.
Calhoun is more of the pure pass rusher coming off of the edge and he'd be a strong choice.
Howard may not make it this far. If he does, his athleticism and extensive blocking experience make him a player who could contribute from day one.
Alexander may have played his way into the first round by shutting down Notre Dame WR Will Fuller this year and playing well at the end of the season before leaving the Alabama game with an injury. Alexander looks like he will be spectacular in run support and he has a huge personality. I'd shy away from him given the size of his ego, but it most certainly works for him. He'd be a fine addition as a man-coverage corner.
Kearse has strong ball skills and appears to position himself well, though I don't love how stiff he seems to play at times.
For me, the pick is Apple. Apple excelled in his two years at Ohio State, and he will be just 21 as a rookie in 2016. He has the size (6'1", 200 lbs.) to thrive on an island. And like so many other top corners, Apple has a knack for positioning himself for interceptions. He would be a much-needed addition, even if I do wonder just a bit about his ultimate speed.
The Pick: CB Eli Apple (Ohio State)
Third Round (#72 overall)
Possibilities: QB Christian Hackenberg (Penn State), S Vonn Bell (Ohio State), S Jalen Mills (LSU), DE Anthony Zettel (Penn State), OT Tyler Johnstone (Oregon), ILB Tyler Matakevich (Temple)
Analysis: Hackenberg would be the high-risk quarterback play that I definitely don't expect to see. I hope he ends up in Houston, for all parties involved.
Bell could certainly grow into a starting job, though he seems a bit raw to me.
Zettel would be a solid citizen on the end, though I don't see much impact there.
Johnstone could be a tackle prospect given his skills, but he has been unable to kick up his weight to a level that would enable him to stick outside. Nevertheless, he'd make a nice guard and backup tackle despite coming with injury concerns.
Matakevich may not be the most physically impressive linebacker out there, but as a two-down linebacker, he'd bring the best motor on the squad.
None of this really matters, though: I love Mills and would be ecstatic to see him here. I can't exactly put my finger on why I love watching him so much. Mills is a little stiff and he lacks elite speed. Yet I see shades of Peanut Tillman in his style of play, and he comes with the added benefit of being a four-year starter who has played every position in the defensive backfield. For a unit in search of playmakers, Mills is an ideal fit.
The Pick: S Jalen Mills (LSU)
Fourth Round (#108 overall (approx.))
Possibilities: ILB Scooby Wright III (Arizona), CB Cyrus Jones (Alabama), ILB Eric Striker (Oklahoma), OT Denver Kirkland (Arkansas)
Analysis: Wright is all about violence. He plays with a tenacity that could be the heart-and-soul of a defense, even if I suspect him to be much more of a factor against the run.
Jones likely won't last quite this far, but if he is here, he will be an awfully tempting addition. Quite simply, the Bears have had no semblance of a return game until Deonte Thompson breathed some life into the kick return unit late in the season. Jones offers dynamism as a returner of both kickoffs and punts in addition to having grown into a strong defensive back.
Striker has no home in the NFL as a 6'0", 220 lbs. linebacker. He's much to small to rush around the edge at that size, yet his only collegiate experience is as an edge rusher. I could see this regime drafting him and deploying him as a situational pass rush specialist, rushing from numerous locations without playing a standard position. There's definitely plenty of athleticism to work with should the team attempt to make Striker into an every down ILB.
Kirkland comes with plentiful appeal as a massive 6'5", 343 lbs. guard prospect who comes with LT experience in college and the possibility of manning RT in the future.
In the end, it comes down to Wright and Jones for me. I'll take Jones with his punt return skills pushing him over the top.
The Pick: CB Cyrus Jones (Alabama)
Fifth Round (#147 overall (approx.))
Possibilities: TE Bryce Williams (East Carolina), OLB Yannick Ngakoue (Maryland), RB Kelvin Taylor (Florida)
Analysis: Williams looks advanced as a receiver on film, finding open space and flashing consistent hands. He does not appear tremendously athletic, though he wouldn't be a liability in that department either.
Ngakoue is extremely difficult to evaluate as he has great tape against the likes of Brandon Scherff and Jack Conklin whereas he is conspicuously absent in other games. It does appear as though his 2015 sack numbers were inflated by some coverage sacks. Still, there's a skillset to work with in Ngakoue.
Taylor resembles his dad, Fred Taylor, though without the same burst. I'd prefer to see the Bears find Langford's complement without using a pick, but it's not my choice to make.
The Pick: TE Bryce Williams (East Carolina)
Sixth Round (#184 overall (approx.))
Possibilities: OT Alex Lewis (Nebraska), OT Adam Bisnowaty (Pittsburgh)
Analysis: Lewis was a captain at Nebraska and has ideal size for a guard, though he would have the added benefit of a decent amount of tackle experience. He was arrested and served a short jail sentence for getting in a 2014 fight with an Air Force Academy cadet, so there is a red flag.
Bisnowaty comes without Lewis's run blocking prowess, but he looks to be a slightly better pass blocker with more of a chance to stick at tackle.
The Pick: OT Adam Bisnowaty (Pittsburgh)
Sixth Round (#207 overall (approx.))
Possibilities: NT Antwaun Woods (USC), ILB James Burgess (Louisville)
Analysis: Woods would be the needed backup for Goldman, a massive run plugger with enough quick-twitch skills to grow into a bit of pass rushing if it all came together.
Burgess is a really attractive option to me. He runs extremely well, and while he may need to add additional size to be a factor against the run in the NFL, his speed and especially his quickness should enable him to contribute on special teams while he works to grow into a defensive role.
The Pick: NT Antwaun Woods (USC)
Sixth Round (#208 overall (approx.))
Possibilities: See above.
Analysis: See above.
The Pick: ILB James Burgess (Louisville)
Seventh Round (#226 overall (approx.))
Possibilities: K Ka'imi Fairbairn (UCLA)
Analysis: Sadly, the end is nigh for Robbie Gould, one of my favorite Bears ever. He was, far and away, the worst kicker in the NFL in 2015 largely due to the fact that he can't get his kickoffs into the endzone despite kickoffs now being from the 35 yard line. A few missed field goals may have sealed his ticket out of town.
Fairbairn is the best collegiate kicker. He is extremely accurate and just as importantly, he has a superb touchback percentage. He would be a great addition.
The Pick: K Ka'imi Fairbairn (UCLA)
The complete draft class as listed above would be as follows:
1.011: ILB Myles Jack (UCLA)
2.039: CB Eli Apple (Ohio State)
3.072: S Jalen Mills (LSU)
4.108: CB Cyrus Jones (Alabama)
5.147: TE Bryce Williams (East Carolina)
6.184: OT Adam Bisnowaty (Pittsburgh)
6.207: NT Antwaun Woods (USC)
6.208: ILB James Burgess (Louisville)
7.226: K Ka'imi Fairbairn (UCLA)
FINAL ROSTER
With all of that wheeling and dealing, the Bears would find themselves with the following approximate 53-man roster:
SP (3): Ka'imi Fairbairn, Pat O'Donnell, Patrick Scales
QB (2): Jay Cutler, David Fales
C (1): Hroniss Grasu
OG (3): Matt Slauson, Tayo Fabuluje, UNKNOWN
OT (4): Russell Okung, Kyle Long, Charles Leno, Jr., Adam Bisnowaty
RB (4): Jeremy Langford, Ka'Deem Carey, Senorise Perry, UNKNOWN
WR (6): Alshon Jeffery, Kevin White, Eddie Royal, Marquess Wilson, Deonte Thompson, UNKNOWN
TE (4): Zach Miller, Jermaine Gresham, Khari Lee, Bryce Williams
NT (2): Eddie Goldman, Antwaun Woods
DE (5): Malik Jackson, Ego Ferguson, Will Sutton, Cornelius Washington, UNKNOWN
ILB (4): Myles Jack, Danny Trevathan, Christian Jones, James Burgess
OLB (5): Pernell McPhee, Lamarr Houston, Willie Young, UNKNOWN, UNKNOWN
CB (6): Kyle Fuller, Tracy Porter, Bryce Callahan, Eli Apple, Cyrus Jones, Sherrick McManis
S (4): Adrian Amos, Jalen Mills, Antrel Rolle, Harold Jones-Quartey
In my eyes, that's a massive upgrade, although it certainly doesn't come without risk, particularly at QB, RB, and OLB. That defense, on the whole, would be expected to present a massive upgrade in terms of raw talent over the 2015 group. The front seven would receive a much-needed boost of both youth and experience while the defensive backfield is filled in largely with prospects.
I'd love to see this roster, recognizing full well that it won't happen. Here's to the offseason.
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