I think they might actually start building out the LB corps. Consider, they completely revamped the DB's already. They brought in Byron Maxwell as a veteran to help the young guys, built up a raw kid in Lippett, developed a young guy in McCain, drafted a high pick in Xavien Howard (2nd Round and we traded up to get him), and this year we added another sort of high pick in Cordrea Tankersley (who did pretty well in the first preseason game actually). That's a lot of resources on new players and young players. I think the Alteraun Verner addition was just taking an opportunity when it presented itself, but all of the other moves look like they are tilling a garden to grow good young CB's. Then, they surrounded them with the voice of reason in veteran safeties to keep everything together while these young CB's learn their roles.
This year they took the one building block at LB, Kiko Alonso, added a veteran tutor in Timmons, and selected the one rookie to groom under Timmons in McMillan. Misi felt like a combo of loyalty + Ross's desire to help his own + backup incase of injury. Well, he got injured early, per usual, so that didn't really work out. Remember, this is a major departure from the previous two iterations of our LB rebuilds: A) Ireland's plan to get rid of the expensive and productive veterans and replace them with veteran free agents at a cheaper price (worked out horribly), and B) draft nobody and collect all of the quality UDFA's like Vigil, Hewitt and Hull and go cheap on the position (which also worked out horribly).
So, I'm guessing they're following the same rebuild approach they did with the CB's by providing a veteran leader and then adding their own draft picks to groom under those veteran leaders. Just like with the veteran safeties, they always have someone who can organize and direct them while they grow through that early learning curve. I'm expecting McMillan to be the full Mike when he returns next year, and I'm expecting us to draft 1 more LB to work in as a combo Sam and coverage LB or maybe a Sam and pass rushing LB. We're not going to see that development this year because of Raekwon's unfortunate injury, but I think next year he'll be ready to call the defense like a true Mike, and will become the heart and soul of this developing LB corps.
Another position that seems to be handled the same way is the OL, although I think we have further to go with that transformation. Not sure whether we'll re-sign Ju'Wuan James, but if we do it will likely be for a smaller amount than a guy drafted as high as him typically gets. Bushrod will also be replaced next year. So, we might be looking at 2 new starting OL next year to go along with Tunsil, Asiata and Pouncey ... assuming he heals.
Personally, I like this approach. It creates a lot of opportunities to select just the right veterans to teach and then groom completely new players exactly how the coaching staff wants them. It also should help develop a team that ages the right way and is full of veterans through Tannehill's prime.
The reason I didn't mention the DL, is because I think it's done slightly differently. The positions are more specific. It's more of a one-for-one mentorship for specific roles. Wake mentors Harris. Suh leads by example, but he's not the greatest mentor. He is mentoring Phillips. Hayes is the closest thing to a true DL mentor we have ... and that guy's ... different. But, I think Vincent and Godchaux are somewhat lacking for mentors. I'm hoping they're getting good advice from Hayes and Suh, but I'm not sure how effective that is.
Anyway, I do think the LB mentor-growth process has begun, and will continue next year with another fairly high draft pick.
