Will the Run D actually improve?

I think this is a pretty good summation FSU. 
The big question mark for me is how quickly the players learn the new system and can they  implement it consistently.

I think things will be better with the new personal and scheme. But im with you on Wonnum getting big minutes things go down fast. I still think we need another legit body in the front 7 whether that be a RD1 or RD2 pick which im guessing one of those picks will be and the other CB. MAYBE someone could step up next year whether its jaylen twyman, patrick jones, or janarius robinson or even Surrat. Yeah I know probably long shots but still never know 3 of them didnt see the field last year and Jones got minimal snaps.

I think "health" is one of the key ingredients to not just the DL success, but overall team success. When you look at the Rams in 2021, they did have a few stretches where they were missing key pieces, but during their postseason run they had most of their key pieces healthy and playing at their best. They may not have won the Super Bowl if Donald isn't out there (he had a significant impact on the game in the 2nd half) and without that CB1 (Ramsey) in their secondary, their D isn't quite as effective.

And the Vikings lack of depth - especially on defense - is probably one reason why I'd personally love some trade-downs in the early rounds to build up the middle round draft capital to really bring in a bunch more key depth pieces that won't get starting snaps Wk 1, but provide some depth in Year 1 while they develop and make more of an impact starting in Year 2.


I'm not confident in Patrick Jones or J Robinson ever being more than just a sub-package pass-rusher off the edge on obvious passing downs. Like Wonnum, I think both are possibly liabilities on early downs against the run, and it's one reason I wouldn't be upset at taking Jermaine Johnson in Round 1 - like Hunter, he's very good against the run and provides a more well-rounded game vs. our other EDGE depth. Jermaine Johnson does provide some insurance in case Z Smith or Hunter are out again for a significant period of time and can play all three downs.

Twyman's specialty was a pure 3T gap-penetrator coming out of college and he was not known for his run defense - I'm not sure of his role in a 3-4 front as he's more of a backup 3T that needs to develop.

...and I'm not sure what role Donatell would have for Surrat. He's an undersized ILB, IMO, and may be more suited for a zoning LB position in a 4-3 where he can use his athleticism to react and chase down. If we're running a bunch of 3-4 or 4-2, I don't see heavy snaps for Surrat on defense and he may be relegated to more of a ST ace which is horrible return for the 3rd Rd draft investment we made last year.

We're going to be looking for Jordan Hicks-style ILB depth on Day 3 - prospects who will play ST snaps / some backup ILB snaps in Year 1 & 2 and then more of an increased snap-count starting in Year 3.

Yes health always plays a huge part in the success of your team. The Rams helped themselves a lot last year by signing OBJ a week before Robert Woods went down. Picking up Von Miller and adding him to the mix helped too. Very good depth pieces at the right time. T Noteboom filled in nicely for Whitworth.