The Defense Can Recover

CJ Mosley opted out of the season and that was definitely a big hit.  But the performance of Gregg Williams and the defensive staff last year gives me confidence in the scheme he’ll come up with.  Personally I think the following players will be the keys:

Avery Williamson: I thought he was a luxury and expected him to be cut loose.  I’m glad I was wrong, I would expect him to move into Mosley’s spot and make the defensive calls.  With him missing 2019 you forget how productive he was, he had a terrific 2018.

Bradley McDougald: A durable, productive safety whose Passes Defended numbers indicate he’s good in coverage.  I would expect him to move into the FS spot.

Marcus Maye: McDougald’s arrival will free Maye to move into the “hybrid” role Adams used to play.  With his FS/coverage experience Maye has a shot to actually expand the “hybrid” role into something more than a “box safety”.

Ashtyn Davis: With McDougald and Maye being the starters it will allow Davis to come off the bench and be deployed in “3 safety looks”.  With Davis speed/athletic ability, the FS experience of McDougald and Maye I would expect Williams to come up with some very confusing coverage schemes.  Which hopefully can generate INT opportunities.

Patrick Onwuasor:  I expected Onwuasor’s chemistry with Mosley to be a big factor in him re-capturing his 2018 performance (5.5 sacks). That takes a hit obviously, but Onwuasor needs to find that “vibe” with Williamson who will be in Mosley’s spot.  His size, speed and athletic
ability could be combined with the safeties and really cause offenses a problem trying to decipher coverages.