Regardless of what happens at DT with Starks and Odrick we need a DT either in the draft or FA. We've used a 3 player rotation with Starks, Odrick and Mitchell and I think that has a lot to do with the recent downtrend of the D-lines ability to stop the run. Not enough depth.Per everyones 'dream' off season we need to go ahead and replace
2 DT's - Starks / Odrick
2 LB's - Ellerbe / Wheeler
1 CB - Finnegan
6 OL - Satelle / Colledge / Fox / Thomas / Garner / Pouncey
2 WR - Gibson / Hartline
13 players total not counting other bottom feeder players. (I assume we bring back Delmas?)
9-10 of which are 'Starter' caliber.
You are asking this team to hit money on every draft pick and then throw decent coin at FA's.
Ellerbe and Wheeler don't need to be replaced...they've already been replaced. Jenkins has played better than Ellerbe so that contract and player are no longer needed. Coyle has been using defensive fronts that keep Wheeler on the bench since he's a liability...Misi moving back to SLB or the development of McCain should take care of that spot. We only need one LB in the draft, preferable a Mike backer, and maybe another late round or undrafted player (like McCain) for depth.
Finnegan may retire...CB was a need even without Finnegan retiring. We need probably 2 CBs.
We're not getting rid of Pouncey...he'll play on the option contract for $7.5 million and have to prove his worth. Garner will also be back, he's too versatile not to be...so long as he's physically OK. Dallas Thomas should not be in the NFL but in all likelihood he'll be back next year for depth and I think it's the last year of his contract. The other 3 will most likely be gone.
Gibson and Hartline can be replaced with better players. DeVante Parker or Kevin White will be there when we draft...that takes Hartline's spot. Last year we drafted Matt Hazel and put him on the practice squad, he's the nearly same size as Gibson (Hazel 6'1" 198 lbs) with more speed and a pretty good vertical (4.5 40..36.5" vert.). I would promote him to our 5th WR next year.