It turns out the losses in the front 7 were a bigger deal than anticipated. Right now the biggest problem that the defense is that they either blitz and risk getting burned on the big play or rush 4-5 and just get no pressure and give up a 10-15 yard pass. The pass rush was not great last year but was good enough that by sending 5 they could get pressure but now it cant even do that. It is especially annoying as in theory it SHOULD be the strength of the team as your 1st round pick 3 years ago and your second round pick 2 years ago were pass rushers which means that SHOULD be the strength of the team.
PQ clearly a loss as a blitzer
Clowney clearly a loss as an edge rusher
we didnt have to send 5 much last year at all - we had one of the lowest blitz rates in the league
used a ton of sim pressures with PQ and stunts to create 1v1 matchups or free rushers
oweh's been disappointing after a really strong start, ojabo's been a real let down after a promising first couple of weeks, KVN has been fine but he's clearly not a guy you build your pass rush around (he's a great 2nd/3rd EDGE as a pass rush/pass down specialist)
it's frustrating that after all the picks invested (2024 3rd rounder, 2023 4th rounder, 2022 2nd rounder, 2021 1st rounder, 2021 5th rounder) that we're probably going to have to invest with a high pick again this year