Aren’t there a bunch of holes on the team? I haven’t seen this in awhile. The team will look a lot different than last year.
Not really...actually Gute is doing about what he does every single year and shoring up holes in FA using variety of means (ERFA/RFAs, resigning own, UFAs and Trades) to not be backed into a corner in the draft having to look to a position and not more best prospect.
Edge and Corner are the only arguable "holes" and I say just Edge...here is why - THESE ARE NOT AN ADVOCATE FOR THE FACT THE HOLES ARE FILLED WITH ALL PRO OR ELITE GUYS, but holes plugged are not holes:
QB - Yes we lost Malik, but Ridder was always about backfilling that depth behind Love with a guy with experience. Don't be shocked if we even sign another veteran to compete with him and likely a UDFA...but Ridder plugs that hole.
RB - No hole, but if you want to think Wilson was special enough to be considered a hole, than Brooks and Lloyd are your plug...plus Pierre Strong and Damien Martinez.
WR - Doubs is likely on his way out...but drafting Golden and Savion last year was always more about this year than last IMO. Bo Melton also could always be tendered.
TE - Whyle plugged the hole and we have him and Musgrave still here....Fitz could always be signed back and techinically there are two guys on PS here.
S - no need to discuss IMO
OL - Jordan Morgan won the LT position but organization felt best 5 over best LT....he is the plug for losing Walker, Kinnard is the plug for losing him and Tom at RT potentially....Rhyan plugs the hole left by Jenkins at center just as he did last year. Kinnard and Jennings or Williams likely first Tackle and Guard up if the season started tomorrow IMO....depth needed but I bet GB feels starters are here.
DL - Lost Wooden but Nazir and Brinson are both here and likely more incoming. Jordan Riley is IR but has experience and still might push for a bottom of roster spot.
Edge - Sorrell showed promise, Cox showed growth and the team always like Oliver....well all three will see expanded roles regardless of what happens forward, Gary and Enagbare gone now they are the dudes behind LVN until Parsons is back. This is a position without a proven starter that will be in a spot of one...we started tomorrow it is likely Sorrell there...but be awesome if Sorrell and Cox could be that 3/4 tandem reserves for one more year.
CB - We got everyone we had last year....arguably if Hobbs is healthy and fired up to not be said to be a bust we are better. Carrington, Nixon and him are back. Hadden is still here....BUT again like Edge be nice to force all of these guys to fight for outside CB2 and not 1.
No gaping holes...but the biggest one and truly a void is edge IMO.