The unit that coach Brian Flores’ specializes in couldn’t stop the run, or pressure the quarterback. It failed to cover elite receivers and tight ends downfield, allowing a league-high 39 passing touchdowns, and didn’t create many turnovers (only the Raiders and Chargers had fewer).
There wasn’t one aspect of the game Flores’ hybrid defense excelled in, which explains why the unit got a massive makeover this offseason via free agency and the NFL draft.
In this second part of a two-part series, we examine who the projected starters are on defense, which young defensive players need the biggest investment, dissect who the long shots are to make the 53-man regular-season roster, and project what problems each unit might face in 2020.