For any discussion topics related to the offseason that don't quite fit in the free agency thread or draft section and eventually will be here for the voluntary practice periods of the offseason.
I'm starting this now because I wanted a place to air some thoughts on the rookie class we just had and where specifically Jaylon Ferguson and Miles Boykin could improve and what they need to do this offseason.
For Miles, some of it comes down to comfort - he's clearly a plus-athlete and he's shown the ability to separate on film both in college and in the NFL but there's a trust issue obviously there with the coaches and Lamar that puts him low down in terms of the reads but he's definitely got the upside to be a dynamic weapon. He needs to work on his footwork a bit at the break to make those changes a bit sharper. The offseason should be big for him with Lamar - some of the miscues he had came from a miscommunication where he and Lamar read the situation differently and he needs to build that chemistry. But he showed some promise especially with a vertically based route tree (9 route, comeback and slant) that he can create separation and has been really good in the redzone finding and creating space and ironically not because of his length. But the redzone success is a good indicator of his potential to succeed between the 20s with more space available to the offence. The biggest thing for him this offseason is going to be earning the trust of the coaches (and Lamar) and if he does he's going to see more targets and more play designs that feature him more.
Jaylon Ferguson got better with each game he played which is really encouraging but there's a couple of crucial things he's going to have to work on this offseason if he wants to develop into the player we would like him to be. He really needs to work on his counters (and in general needs to add a bit more nuance to his rush) at the moment he overpowers guys but he doesnt have a move to create space well - he does sometimes rip to disengage and it's violent and effective but its also a little late most of the time and I think he's maybe not always got a pass rush plan and he hasn't had enough reps to instinctively use a counter move, which is understandable given that in college he could get away with just being the most talented guy on the field and didn't need to worry about counters. But if he develops a rip move or a pull-push he's got the physical tools to make that work for himself. I'd like to see him physically get a little faster too - I'm not sure 2019 was his NFL body yet. But a pass rush plan would do him a lot of good especially if he starts using his feet more to threaten both inside and outside just to get into the shoulders of tackles a bit more at the moment there isn't much deception in his rushes. In the running game he definitely improved setting the edge - there were a few notable plays where he looked lost but down the stretch more often than not he was physical and strong on the edge and played good disciplined and forceful football - however his eye discipline and recognition definitely needs some work - sorting through motion and some other things really gave him some trouble.
Lots of promising things to see from both the 3rd round picks. Ironically both at positions where we have needs this offseason and we'll likely add talent at both spots somehow but it would be a massive boon to the organisation if these guys could kick on in the 2nd year and first full NFL offseason.
I'm starting this now because I wanted a place to air some thoughts on the rookie class we just had and where specifically Jaylon Ferguson and Miles Boykin could improve and what they need to do this offseason.
For Miles, some of it comes down to comfort - he's clearly a plus-athlete and he's shown the ability to separate on film both in college and in the NFL but there's a trust issue obviously there with the coaches and Lamar that puts him low down in terms of the reads but he's definitely got the upside to be a dynamic weapon. He needs to work on his footwork a bit at the break to make those changes a bit sharper. The offseason should be big for him with Lamar - some of the miscues he had came from a miscommunication where he and Lamar read the situation differently and he needs to build that chemistry. But he showed some promise especially with a vertically based route tree (9 route, comeback and slant) that he can create separation and has been really good in the redzone finding and creating space and ironically not because of his length. But the redzone success is a good indicator of his potential to succeed between the 20s with more space available to the offence. The biggest thing for him this offseason is going to be earning the trust of the coaches (and Lamar) and if he does he's going to see more targets and more play designs that feature him more.
Jaylon Ferguson got better with each game he played which is really encouraging but there's a couple of crucial things he's going to have to work on this offseason if he wants to develop into the player we would like him to be. He really needs to work on his counters (and in general needs to add a bit more nuance to his rush) at the moment he overpowers guys but he doesnt have a move to create space well - he does sometimes rip to disengage and it's violent and effective but its also a little late most of the time and I think he's maybe not always got a pass rush plan and he hasn't had enough reps to instinctively use a counter move, which is understandable given that in college he could get away with just being the most talented guy on the field and didn't need to worry about counters. But if he develops a rip move or a pull-push he's got the physical tools to make that work for himself. I'd like to see him physically get a little faster too - I'm not sure 2019 was his NFL body yet. But a pass rush plan would do him a lot of good especially if he starts using his feet more to threaten both inside and outside just to get into the shoulders of tackles a bit more at the moment there isn't much deception in his rushes. In the running game he definitely improved setting the edge - there were a few notable plays where he looked lost but down the stretch more often than not he was physical and strong on the edge and played good disciplined and forceful football - however his eye discipline and recognition definitely needs some work - sorting through motion and some other things really gave him some trouble.
Lots of promising things to see from both the 3rd round picks. Ironically both at positions where we have needs this offseason and we'll likely add talent at both spots somehow but it would be a massive boon to the organisation if these guys could kick on in the 2nd year and first full NFL offseason.