We have an offensive line thread. Pass rush needs to be discussed.
Brandon Copeland just signed a 1 year deal with the Patriots* which leaves us with Tarell Basham and Jordan Willis as our only true defensive ends/outside linebackers on the roster.
Kyle Phillips is probably the best edge defender on the team right now. Gregg seems to love him. He is an interesting type of hybrid front player that can line up as a 3T, 5T, or an OLB. He's someone we don't talk about enough.
We have a quality rotation of interior defensive linemen with Quinnen Williams, Steve McClendon, Foley Fatukasi, and Nathan Shepherd. Aside from McClendon, we are very young here too.
Not sure what's going on with Jordan Jenkins but Joe Douglas seems to have a set value on him. Maybe he comes back, but as of right now, he isn't a part of this team.
Free Agents
Jadeveon Clowney
Markus Golden
Everson Griffen
Vinny Curry
Jabaal Sheard
I think we're going to sit out on Clowney. He's too expensive and seems more money motivated than anything else. Curry has been linked to JD from the early in free agency. We always have to keep an eye on former Colts like Sheard because Rex Hogan is here. They fit the mold of the stop-gap types that JD has been adding to the roster.
NFL Draft
Julian Okwara (Notre Dame)
Curtis Weaver (Boise State)
Terrell Lewis (Alabama)
Kenny Willekes (Michigan State)
Bradlee Anae (Utah)
These are realistic options for us at DE/OLB outside of the first round.
I'm hoping we seriously consider Julian Okwara in the second round. He lives in the backfield (33% of his tackles are for a loss) and he creates turnovers. He would've likely been a mid-to-late first round pick if he didn't break his leg last season. Sitting out of the NFL Combine limits his draft stock but it could be a blessing in disguise for our team.
Keep an eye on Auburn's Marlon Davidson. He is listed as an interior defensive linemen and should play there, but he has the ability to play standing up and he is a disruptive force against the run and pass. He'd be an intriguing mid-round pick given his versatility. Reminds me a lot of Melvin Ingram.
