IDP Offseason News – Team-by-Team Defensive Player News
Arizona Cardinals
Safety Budda Baker is in the final year of his contract.
Defensive Coordinator, Nick Rallis thinks Zaven Collins and B.J. Ojulari can take the next step as edge rushers in 2024. If either fails to live up to expectations, rookie Darius Robinson will look to take on a bigger role. Collins and Ojulari combined for 7.5 sacks in 2023.
Atlanta Falcons
Safety: Richie Grant ahead of DeMarcco Hellams, to start across from Jessie Bates
Linebacker: Nate Landman ahead of Troy Andersen but has been rotating. Landman frequently handles green dot responsibilities when on the field. Update: Troy Andersen getting some run with the 1s today over Nate Landman, still an open competition.
Edge James Smith-Williams has been getting a fair amount of work with the 1s and 2s and he works in with Lorenzo Carter, Arnold Ebikete and rookie Bralen Trice. Smith-Williams has only recorded 7 sacks over 4 seasons with Washington.
Baltimore Ravens
Safety Eddie Jackson signed with the Ravens (7/19). He brings experience to the back end and will likely rotate in with Marcus Williams while Kyle Hamilton plays closer to the line of scrimmage.
Coach has high expectations for breakout season from Edge Odafe Oweh. The team will need someone to step up with Jadeveon Clowney in Carolina.
Buffalo Bills
After losing Jordan Poyer and Micah Hyde, the Bills have a competition in the safety room. Taylor Rapp and Damar Hamlin have earned some early reps but I project Rapp and Mike Edwards will be the starters until rookie Cole Bishop earns a bigger role. Update: The Bills sign Kareem Jackson (7/30). Update: The Bills bring in another free agent safety, Terrell Burgess (7/31). Update: Cole Bishop is week-to-week with a shoulder injury per Josh Reed (8/1).
Linebacker Matt Milano returns to practice following a broken leg in 2023, we will want to monitor if he is slowed at all to start the season. Terrel Bernard will play in the middle linebacker role after playing well in 2023.
Carolina Panthers
Panthers signed Edge Kemoko Turay (7/26). They could use some depth behind Jadeveon Clowney and D.J. Wonnum (PUP).
Chicago Bears
Cornerback Kyler Gordon misses practice (7/29) due to “tightness”.
Cincinnati Bengals
Dax Hill switches from safety to cornerback.
Geno Stone, Jordan Battle and Vonn Bell in crowded safety room after Bell returns to team on one-year deal. I expect Geno Stone to lead the room as the deep safety while Battle and Bell compete for the strong safety role.
Cleveland Browns
Linebacker Jordan Hicks brings veteran leadership to the middle of the defense and frees Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah play freely and chase down plays from the off-ball linebacker position. Hicks is probably better suited for the green dot and defensive play calling, but the Browns want to find a way to keep Owusu-Koramoah on the field too.
Myles Garrett has yet to practice but ran and did agility drills per Browns writer, Scott Petrak.
Dallas Cowboys
Markquese Bell will be moved from linebacker to safety, could fill some of void left by Jayron Kearse departure. I expect Donovan Wilson will see more games closer to 100% snaps in 2024.
Eric Kendricks will play MIKE Linebacker, Damone Clark WILL Linebacker and DeMarvion Overshown will play SAM Linebacker.
Edge Sam Williams suffers torn ACL, was expected to pick up extra snaps with Dorance Armstrong now in Washington.
Denver Broncos
Alex Singleton will be the lead linebacker with Josey Jewell now in Carolina.
Safety Caden Sterns started training camp on the PUP but returned to practice on Saturday (7/27). He will compete with Brandon Jones and P.J. Locke. Justin Simmons remains a free agent.
Detroit Lions
Brian Branch played mostly in the slot in his rookie season (2023) but has been practicing as a safety as he looks to become an every-down player this season.
Kerby Joseph and Ifeatu Melifonwu are the other safeties with C.J. Gardney-Johnson now in Philadelphia.
Linebacker Jack Campbell could take over the green dot from Alex Anzalone. Campbell’s value will jump once he achieves an every-down role.
Edge John Cominsky tore his MCL (7/30). This increases the expectations for Marcus Davenport, James Houston and Josh Paschal as they work across from Aidan Hutchinson.
Green Bay Packers
Packers rotating safeties next to Xavier McKinney. Javon Bullard, Anthony Johnson Jr. and Evan Williams taking turns with the 1s and learning versatility.
New defensive coordinator, Jeff Hafley, seems willing to use his defensive backs in run defense. Xavier McKinney has been making pre-snap calls for which safety will play in the box.
LB Edgerrin Cooper “dropped out of practice yesterday (7/31) because of a ‘little groin’ injury” per Rob Demovsky.
Houston Texans
Will Anderson Jr. has returned bigger in year 2, going from 248 to 263 pounds. He will form one of the best pass-rushing duos with Danielle Hunter.
Denico Autry has been suspended six games for a PED violation (7/29).
Jalen Pitre has spent a lot of training camp in the slot but returned to safety on 7/30. The team may be looking to rotate him more between slot and safety in 2024, he played mostly deep safety in 2023. Jimmie Ward, Eric Murray and rookie Calen Bullock are in the mix at safety while Desmond King played slot to finish last season.
Indianapolis Colts
Nick Cross leading the free safety battle right now to play across from Julian Blackmon. I expect this battle with Ronnie Harrison and Rodney Thomas to continue through camp. Update: Cross and Harrison are still rotating (7/31).
Edge Samson Ebukam suffers season-ending Achilles injury (7/29). Opens up additional snaps for rookie Laiatu Latu. Kwity Paye will work on one end while Latu should rotate with Dayo Odeyingo. Update: Latu and Tyquan Lewis have been splitting first team reps across from Kwity Paye while Odeyingbo has missed practice (7/31). Latu has been impressing in camp so far.
Cornerbacks Dallis Flowers and Kenny Moore II have been getting some kick returner reps.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Edge Josh Allen has changed his name to Joshua Hines-Allen.
Kansas City Chiefs
Safety Justin Reid has been on the non-football injury list, which has given rookie Jaden Hicks additional practice reps as he looks to earn a role in Year 1.
Linebacker Nick Bolton leaves practice (7/31).
Cornerback Trent McDuffie works inside while Joshua Williams and Kelvin Joseph work outside. Monitoring the situation to see if McDuffie moves outside with L’Jarius Sneed no longer with the team.
Las Vegas Raiders
Edge Malcolm Koonce outplayed Tyree Wilson to finish last season. He appears to have earned the starting role opposite Maxx Crosby while Tyree Wilson looks to earn playing time on the interior of the defensive line.
Cornerback Jack Jones started 2023 with the Patriots but finished with the Raiders. He has earned a starting spot and could even be used in the return game.
Los Angeles Chargers
LB Junior Colson has been sidelined indefinitely after surgery to remove his appendix. This could slow his chances to earn a starting role. Denzel Perryman and Daiyan Henley are in the mix. 8/1 Update: Colson clears physical, but not sure when he will return to practice.
Safety: Rookie AJ Finley has been practicing as the 3rd safety behind Derwin James and Alohi Gilman.
Los Angeles Rams
With Aaron Donald retired, the Rams will look to rookies Braden Fiske and Jared Verse from Florida State to help solidify the defensive line. DT Kobie Turner finished his rookie season with nine sacks but will likely find things tougher in Year 2 when teams no longer double-team Aaron Donald.
Miami Dolphins
Rookie Edge Chop Robinson could be needed to contribute a major role right away with Jaelan Phillips and Bradley Chubb recovering from injury. Meanwhile, Shaq Barrett retired. To help out, the Dolphins recently brought back Emmanuel Ogbah.
Linebacker David Long Jr. activated from the PUP (7/28). Long seems to be in the lead for the green dot.
Minnesota Vikings
Linebacker Ivan Pace has indicated he would have the green dot helmet this season. Pace went undrafted in 2023 due to his size, but he showed last year that his ability can make up for the shorter stature. He will be paired with Blake Cashman.
The Vikings use a lot of three-safety formations and bring pressure with Josh Metellus, Harrison Smith and Camryn Bynum under Defensive Coordinator Brian Flores.
New England Patriots
Matthew Judon reported to training camp but didn’t practice on Monday (7/29) as he looks for new or revised contract, has heated discussion with coach Mayo. Not practicing 7/30. Judon back at practice (8/1).
“Keion White continues to be a freaking wrecking ball” – Andrew Callahan; The Patriots will need someone like White to step up with Christian Barmore out indefinitely with blood clots and Judon missing practices.
Linebacker Jahlani Tavai received a three-year contract extension worth up to $21 million while Safety Jabrill Peppers received a three-year $24 million deal worth up to $30 million.
New Orleans Saints
Willie Gay competing with Pete Werner for second linebacker role next to Demario Davis.
Chase Young participated in team drills for the first time on 7/29. Health has been a concern for Young as he looks to earn a role behind Cameron Jordan and Carl Granderson. Update: Chase Young continues to stack good practices.
New York Giants
Isaiah Simmons has been working with the cornerbacks and practicing in the slot role. This helps solidify Micah McFadden as the second linebacker next to Bobby Okereke.
Edge Brian Burns has an ankle injury but is practicing 7/30.
Safety Tyler Nubin misses practice on 8/1, he will need to return soon if he wants to compete for a starting job, Dane Belton will look to hold off Nubin as the starter next to Jason Pinnock.
New York Jets
Haason Reddick was acquired from the Eagles in the offseason but has been a holdout so far.
Philadelphia Eagles
Edge Bryce Huff was signed via free agency and looks to replace Haason Reddick. He still needs to earn a three-down role as he learns the new playbook and works to improve in run defense.
DT Jalen Carter expected to larger role and expectations with Fletcher Cox retiring in March.
James Bradberry has been working with the safeties. He seems to have lost his starting cornerback spot to Isaiah Rodgers/Quinyon Mitchell/Kelee Ringo, so he is trying to carve out a role.
Devin White and Zack Baun have been earning most of the first team reps in practice. Nakobe Dean works himself into certain formations but seems to behind in the competition. 8/1 Update: Nakobe Dean got his first shot of the summer with the first team today.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Patrick Queen will lead the linebackers. Cole Holcomb is still on the PUP while Elandon Roberts and Payton Wilson compete for second linebacker snaps.
Steelers release cornerback Josiah Scott (7/29). Scott was competing for the slot cornerback role with Cam Sutton suspended for the first eight games. Undrafted free agent, Beanie Bishop could be in the lead to earn the slot role to start the season.
San Francisco 49ers
Safety Talanoa Hufanga and Linebacker Dre Greenlaw on PUP.
Seattle Seahawks
Julian Love reached a three-year $36 million contract extension with the team. With Quandre Diggs and Jamal Adams no longer in the picture, Love has a full-time role solidified and will team with Rayshawn Jenkins in the secondary.
Jerome Baker and Tyrel Dodson look to replace Bobby Wagner and Jordyn Brooks. Both players came off the injury list and have been practicing with the team. Both players are on one-year deals. I expect Dodson to play more middle linebacker and Baker to play Will in three-linebacker formations. Waiting to see which player can lock down the bigger role.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
K.J. Britt is in the lead for the second linebacker spot next to Lavonte David. Britt has shown leadership ability and could end up securing an every-down role. SirVocea Dennis has worked himself into three-linebacker formations.
Edge Randy Gregory did not report for training camp, he is expected to rotate in with YaYa Diaby, Joe Tryon-Shoyinka and rookie Chris Braswell.
YaYa Diaby suffered an ankle injury (8/1), appears to be a high ankle injury, thought it might be more serious at the time after being carted off. I expect he will miss most of the preseason as a result.
Tennessee Titans
Jamal Adams joins the team (7/11). The Titans needed some help in the secondary behind Amani Hooker. Adams will compete with Elijah Molden.
Edge Arden Key suspended 6 games, was looking at a decent role across from Harold Landry. Key recorded 6 sacks last year and had upside in a best ball format.
Linebacker Kenneth Murray getting some opportunities in practice to add defensive playcalling to his role.
DT T’Vondre Sweat (370 lbs) makes Jeffery Simmons (305 lbs) looks small. There are high hopes for rookie to be disruptive up front.
Washington Commanders
Jamin Davis has been lining up in the edge position. Bobby Wagner and Frankie Luvu will lead the linebackers in 2024. Update 8/1: Jamin Davis will work as a DE on third down but will work as a linebacker on first and second downs. It doesn’t sound like Jamin Davis has looked great at Edge so far in practices.
Safety Darrick Forrest practicing with the backups.
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