Grace, sr
Elder, sr
AQM, jr
Thomas, jr
Owens, so
R. Jenkins, sr
Carter, sr
C. Jenkins, jr
Harris, jr
Moten, jr
Young, jr
Redwine, so
Johnson, so
Norton, so
D. Jackson, so
Willis, so
McIntosh, so
Gayot, jr
Smith, so
Perry, so
Mayes, so
Henley, so
M. Jackson, so
King, so
McCray, so
Patchan, fr
Knowles, fr
Fines, fr
Gordinier, fr
I'll do this a little differently. I'm going to rank in order of what I imagine an individual's importance will be:
1. Elder - Although Grace is actually my favorite player on the team and may have more impact than Elder in terms of production, the mere fact that Elder is likely to be the clear best CB option we have in an otherwise razor thin group makes him the most important defensive player on our team next year. Also, I think he's the best Corner in the ACC next year and a potential 2nd rounder in the draft.
2. Grace - Absolutely cannot wait to see what Grace looks like in a downhill scheme. I'm assuming that's what we'll go to, obviously. With some additional weight, I expect Grace to have as many TFLs as any LB here in the last 10 years. I also expect him to, if he remains healthy, obviously, basically never leave the field. Lucky for us, guys like Young and, for a short time, Owens each got PT this year.
3. AQM - If he stays (would be wise) and we move to the type of 1-gap scheme I presume, AQM becomes Coach Kul's Shane Ray. I think there are better prospects on our defense, but he'll likely have more impact than they will next year.
4. Chad Thomas - Again, if we move to a 4-3 Over type of defense, I expect Thomas to play the critical role at DE.
5. Gerald Willis - Probably not expected to be up this high on our defense next year, but I'm projecting him as a 3-Tech in an upfield scheme. It's what a guy like Sheldon Richardson did for Coach Kul - although I don't expect Willis to be as big or good. It's a really important position if we go to that type of front, though.
5. Redwine/Byrd - I placed these two as a combo because I fully expect us to leave Elder to do his thing on one side of the field, while other teams attempt to pick at these guys. If that's the case, they have boom or bust potential here.
7. 3-way Tie - On other teams, these guys might be higher up the power rankings. Because Jenkins, Norton and Moten can each play a little 0-shade over the opponent's center, and also play a little 3-tech, their overall importance on the list drops. It just means that, if one goes down, we have other guys who can chip in at a relatively solid sub rate.
10. Jenkins - Perhaps he should be slightly higher than the trio of interior players, but he's probably only one of two Safeties with legitimate range. The other got minimal work this year. Wouldn't be surprised if Jenkins has more than 5-6 INTs next year.
11. Carter - I expect both Safeties to make more plays next year. They're lower on my list because I think they will be benefactors of what we do with the front 7 (specifically, the front 4). If there is an injury, either Carter or Jenkins (more likely) shoot up the list because we are so razor thin.
12. Owens - If he comes back from injury well, he's a critical LB in the middle. Will need to improve his ability to drop and become more flexible. Wish he had more experience, but glad he at least got some looks.
