They should be significantly better due to the added depth this offseason & coaching experience.
Adding Daryl Porter Jr along with the Frosh Jaden Harris & Chris Graves, plus the emergence of Isaiah Dunson gives us legitimate playable depth that leaves a thin margin of error for bad coverage; meaning, if the incumbent vets don’t improve there’s entire lineup behind them who are actually more physically gifted & probably better suited for this Defense anyhow who can replace them.
The LB group has primarily been a personnel issue more than anything, if Caleb J, Wes Bissainthe & Chase Smith are your top 3 with Gil Frierson & Ke Smith essentially playing as the Hybrid Nickel at the STAR spot then you have a solid enough group that can move in space & make plays on the ball at the 2nd level. As long as we’re not depending on cinder-block feet backers or walk-ons to take serious snaps in games the LB group should improve.
The DL has the most depth on the Defense & has the ability to be significantly revamped in Run Defense, it’s simply a matter of which ones among the group steps up which particular role. The pass rush will likely be manufactured unless one dominant pass rusher sets himself apart, but otherwise we have a lot of versatility on the DL & at least 5-6 guys that can play both DT & DE.
The Safety group presents a very good mix of athleticism & IQ, Steele can get very creative with 3-High Safety looks & mix up coverages & shells considering the trio we have. A majority of the best Defenses in college football last year played with 3 Safeties with having a Big Nickel Sub-package, including Clemson, Cincinnati, Baylor, ISU & OK St.
All the Defense really has to do to be successful this year, is a reinforce the weak spots with speed & athleticism, the complexity of scheme in particular make take some time to be fully integrated, but as long as they don’t handicap themselves with bad personnel choices they should work pretty well in due time.