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The X Factors for 2026 Offense and Defense

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Am I off base for being a bit concerned over our LBs covering backs? This is especially a concern for me against the better teams.
And I agree on offense, the OL is a concern. I'd be interested to see how well our C plays. We got to have some solidity at that position especially against the better teams.
 
LuCane said:
Offense

I think we have the most talent on offense we've seen in perhaps 25 years. I judge offenses and its players by the amount of stress or conflict they create on defensive coordinators or defenders. If we see more 10 personnel and run more plays, I think we'll see defenses stressed beyond cohesion in both the running and passing games.

I believe the biggest factor in how much of that stress remains consistent is the Right Tackle position.

Perhaps that's Mccoy. Maybe it's Samson. Maybe something else happens. I don't know because I haven't watched practice in many years.

Defense

I think we have the best defensive backfield we've seen in three decades, maybe ever, though I need to see a player who can reliably fill the alley. Ideally, that's an evolved Fitz or Thornton. I think we have the deepest DL in two decades. While I think our LB position is a relative weakness in space and will be challenged if we cannot properly set the edge like we did last season, I think the biggest X factor is the one that impacts that potential domino effect most.

I believe that player is Justin Scott.

Not because he's better or more impactful than Moten, necessarily, but because the change/elevation in Scott's play is more variable. That change could send a ripple effect down the DL to how our DL groupings (the Edge players we choose) set the EDGE, which then impact our LBs.

Scott hitting the next level while Moten maintains the end of last year's level makes this a defense that is infinitely more difficult to threaten/stress. Again, I measure almost everything by risk and threat.

Who do you think are the "X factors" on each side of the ball and why?
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Offense- Ryan Rodriguez. With his injury history and lack of backup options, we need him healthy all year

Defense- Thornton/ Fitz. That nickel spot is super critical in this D
 
Calinative said:
I think you’re absolutely correct about RT being the X Factor on Offense. Center COULD be the backup option here I guess… so to me it’s McCoy given he’s almost certainly gunna be RT.

We EXPECT QB, RB, WR to be legit. We expect Cantwell to probably have some hiccups but have extreme talent. I personally have zero concerns with Guard regardless who is playing there. And TE will just be average. I’m just hoping we play more 10 personnel… Really the only questions I have are how will McCoy perform at RT, and whether Rodriguez is good at Center.

Defensively there are a lot of good answers. Before all the Hayden Lowe stuff I would have said him. **** still it may be him…. But I think the most reasonable person to pick is Armando Blount. I think he needs to take a massive leap forward as a pass rusher. And the NEED we have for him to take that leap at SDE is giant - especially if Lowe isn’t doing much. Scroggins will probably be fine.

Ultimately I expect Moten and Scott to be very good. I do agree with you if you were choosing one Moten has been much more consistent, so getting Scott who has been a bit more volatile to be the Xfactor makes sense between the two. Ultimately I love our DBs. The player filling the Scott role whoever it ends up being could be the good pick as well… LB if you pick Wiley or Pruitt or something as the xfactor it’d make sense…

But to me Blount making the biggest improvement would be the most important player on the defense for us…
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Scott is in his contract year. He will be incentivized to be special...
 
Certainly the RT position was key to Miami's success in 2024 and 2025, but no matter who replaces Mauigoa, that person won't come close to having the same impact as a down blocker and pass protector.

@LuCane I know we disagree here but imo we'd actually be better off with LT Cantwell, LG Okunlola, C Rodriguez, RG McCoy, RT ________ .

Buchanan is a mauler with a bright future but handing him the starting RG job seems risky. We were fortunate to have Anez Cooper matched up against Albert Regis, Kayden McDonald, and Xzavien Harris. We needed a grown *** man at RG to survive those battles. Buchanan will contribute this year, and maybe he's ready for the role but I'd like to see him be challenged for that RG spot. The trio of Cooper/McCoy/Okunlola was awesome in 2025, and it would be ideal having to replace just one among that group instead of two imo.

In that scenario, with the IOL solidified by Okunlola, Rodriguez, McCoy (15 years combined experience) RT is an open competition among Meriweather, Congdon, Wilkerson, Minaya, Campbell, Ervin, Hawks, etc. I beg you to consider this hot take seriously and not toss it aside like some dirty underoos.
 
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