2015 - Ups and downs, as expected with a rookie QB and two rookie lineman starters. Overall fairly competitive and in wildcard contention going into the fourth quarter of the season. Kwon was suspended those last four games, and we lost them all.
Pro: Koetter showed us what he is capable of as a playcaller, given the threat of a running game. 1500 yards rushing and 4000 yards passing. This is what we should aim for in 2018, provided we draft the right back.
Con: Pass defense was atrocious, despite a solid run defense. Not enough turnovers.
2016 - Defense is addressed with Ayers, Spence, Hargreaves and Brent Grimes. The defense improved, the rush was better and more turnovers were had. Ultimately, when the heat cranked up and the games became 'must win' we simply couldn't stop anyone. Offensively, we clearly needed more weapons in the passing game, and a new RB.
Pros: 5 game win streak highlighted by opportune defensive plays which pointed to excellent coaching from Mike Smith. Spence appeared to be poised for a breakout season.
Cons: Defense had no clutch factor to close out games. Offense failed miserably to match the success they had the year prior.
2017 - The hype was through the roof. Desean Jackson, OJ Howard, TJ Ward. Everyone was talking playoffs. Unfortunately the same issue dating all the way back to 2015 and far beyond, was our inability to stop the pass. Not only was our pass rush putrid, our corners couldn't cover. Offensively we continued to struggle running the football. We lacked the physicality up front, in the interior, and we lacked a true RB as Martin certainly didn't fit the bill.
Pros: Hard to find many pros here. Probably the best thing to happen was finally cutting Aguayo in training camp. Oh and we have number 7 overall, so there's that.
Cons: Regression from Hargreaves and the defensive line. No pass rush. No running game. Injuries (Kwon, Noah, Jameis, Lavonte).
Based on the trends over the last few years, I have come to the conclusion that:
1. Find a RB and maybe a shiny new LG and this offense will be absolutely lethal from all aspects. Everyone, especially Jameis gets a whole lot better with a running game threat.
2. We need to draft a CB in the top three two rounds. I believe that what we have done to the defensive line now takes us out of the DL market early in the draft, barring an unlikely Chubb fall. We will fill other needs: RB, CB, LG.
The draft goes down one of two ways.
A) Nelson is available.
1 LG Quenton Nelson
2 CB Isaiah Oliver
4 RB Nyheim Hines
5 RB Bo Scarborough
B)Big 3 are gone, no trade partner.
1 CB Josh Jackson (best CB in class)
2 RB Derrius Guice
4 LG Braden Smith
5 CB Duke Dawson
No matter what we can get three viable starters at RB, G, and CB which would shore up our entire roster for the most part, especially if we sign a SS like Reid or Vaccaro.
