Yeah I can see that. But we've also done a pretty good job replacing NFL level talent in the past in Peters, Baker, King, Jones and Vea.
The odd part about all those guys I mentioned? Only one of them, Baker, was a 4 star coming out of high school... says a lot about our ability to develop defensive talent given that all of those guys were first or second round picks.
Of the NFL talent on our D leaving this year: Murphy, Miller, BBK, Gaines, Rapp... once again, only one of those guys was a 4 star recruit... Murphy. I'm not sure if Rapp and Murphy are leaving... seems likely, but who knows? Maybe they stick around for another shot at a playoff with Eason coming in to play QB?
Keith Taylor actually played better than Miller in his absence, and we have Kyler Gordon + Julius Irvin who are next in line to play corner and safety who are immensely talented. Not to mention that we are the current favorite to land Kelly Ringo at corner for 2020 who will come in a start right away.
At linebacker we have Brandon Wellington who many figure is next in line to have a BBK like senior year, not to mention returning DJ Beavers... we'll get to see who emerges from Myles Rice, Jackson Sirmon and Ariel Ngata. I tell ya what though, it hurt losing Kaho to Bama... he would have been huge for this D.
On the defensive line we're really only replacing tackles. Yeah Gaines is a great player... but Onwuzurike really came on this year, Joe Tryon is going to be a problem as a pass rusher and Benning is great as well. The nice thing is we've recruited DT's better than any position of late... Tuli Letuligasenoa, Jacob Bandes and Faatui Tuitele are all extremely talented top 60 overall 4-star recruits.
The real question mark is going to be replacing Myles Gaskin. Salvon Ahmed is a great back, no question, but he's a speedster... doesn't have the same skillset as Gaskin when it comes to breaking tackles. It's actually a position I'm surprised we haven't recruited better given how much we run the ball. I'm not a fan of Sean McGrew... Kamari Pleasant is decent... but I'm a bit worried. Maybe 4-star Cameron Davis will come in and surprise?
At WR you can expect a nice jump in talent and productivity. We return everyone and you should see Marquis Spiker and Austin Osbourne get their chances - both are freakin studs.
Tight end is our most complete returning position.
On the O-line we lose McGary but return everyone else... we'll simply move Jared Hilbers to right tackle... he played quite well in Adams' absence.
And finally, no more limped arm Browning... we'll have Jacob Eason running the offense... and I cannot wait.
