This is the time of year fans get excited. We got an infusion if young talent with the draft. Visions of these guys making plays dance in our heads. The sky's the limit.
But in reality, unless he's a franchise quarterback or game breaking running back, no rookie's gonna come in and turn a team into an instant contender. And chances are, if you're finding immediate starters in the 4th and 5th rounds, its not because you drafted so well. Its more likely because your current roster is not very good. Anyone think 3rd, 4th or 5th rounders are going to be day one starters for teams like SF, Seattle, NE or Denver?
What I look for is progress. Its not that difficult to increase by 5 wins when your win total the year before was only 2. Trying to add another 5 wins when your win total the year before was 7 is whats tough.
I don't have any bold statements other than the defense will be aggressive and hard hitting. Offensive coordinators will not be looking forward to playing the Rams. Quarterbacks won't either. I expect we will see teams using more max protect when they play us. They'll keep their tight ends at the line of scrimmage and backs in the backfield in order have more protection for their quarterbacks.
If a couple of these DB's can play to FS and nickle back and do it well, I think we can have a top 5 defense. A defense that can hold SF and Seattle in the teens and give us a chance. Our offense is not going to score much against those defenses. Thats something we just gotta accept. But we can still win if our defense does its job. Think about that 13-10 win over the 49ers. Thats the type of game we have to play if we want to beat them.