Let's look at the team through some rose-colored glasses for a moment. QB: Question mark. Chad and Kellen both have a lot to prove. Chad was serviceable two years ago. This team has more weapons than we had last year. Can we throw out last year and move on with Chad, who can maybe have a better year than 2 years ago? We could also throw out last year for Kellen. If he beats out Chad, which I think he will, he could take major strides forward into becoming the QB we hoped he would be. RB: Jones, Washington, and Chatman with an offensive line is a very solid combo. Jones was not very good last season, but I'd be willing to give him another chance. If not, Washington was good 2 years ago and deserves more carries. Chatman had a surprisingly good year with Miami once he got into the lineup. If the OL is good, this could be a very good rushing attack. WR/TE: Coles and Cotchery are a very solid tandem if healthy. Both are starters in the NFL, and both do a very good job of being possession receivers who can occasionally make plays after the catch. Brad Smith was not very impressive last season, but if we give him a chance, he or Stuckey can hopefully fill the #3/#4 WR role. Keller will add a whole new dimension. He can line up as a 3rd WR who can block better than most WRs. Or he can be a TE who will match up against linebackers. Baker is still around (for now), and he'd be a fantastic #2 option, since he would presumably be up against linebackers without as much cover skills. OL: LG was so bad last year that almost anyone would be a big upgrade, but Faneca is a humongous upgrade. He'll work wonders with leadership with Mangold and D'Brick, both entering their 3rd years. Woody looked good with Detroit; if he can continue that, Moore is a solid RG in a good line. He's serviceable. DL: Jenkins adds an entire new dimension, tying up more blockers for Coleman and Ellis to maybe get some pressure, but he at least makes things a little easier on them. He has a much bigger impact on the linebacking corps because he will be able to keep blockers off of them, so they can make plays. LB: Pace, Gholston, and Thomas is a hell of a rotation on the edge, and if Gholston lives up to the hype, he's an Abraham-like threat off the edge. We haven't had a defensive lineman/linebacker who puts fear in a QB since he left. Pace does everything well at OLB, and Brian Thomas knows pressure is on him, so he comes into camp in good shape and reverts back to 2007 form. DB: Revis is ready to blossom into a near-shutdown type cornerback. The side opposite him is in trouble, but David Barrett is not a terrible option. With an improved pass rush, Barrett's run stopping ability can come in handy, and his speed should be less of an issue if the QB has less time. Miller, Coleman, or hopefully Poteat could contend for the spot, too. Elam and Eric Smith will have a spirited battle at one safety spot opposite Kerry Rhodes, one of the best safeties in the league poised to make his first Pro Bowl.
This FO knows how to draft. I know this because there is one true bust out of 20 picks, his name is Anthony Schlegal. The others are good value picks and have contributed. Only a very select few think that this FO completely blows. Since they have a great draft track record, how about a little trust with them? This aint Herm/Bradway where we know we are getting fucked.
This upcoming season is going to have benchmark written all over it. There are a few players that will have no where to hide should they not perform.
