Hoge & Jahns with Josh Lucas Video Comments: DEFENSE

It sure looked like it. Have no idea if he had an injury of some sort, but he went from top 3 S to top 30 in a year.

mpbears68 had the idea of starting a thread to discuss these videos - one for OFFENSE and another for DEFENSE. So let's give this a try. I know a number of us really enjoy these videos, so I'm looking forward to this. And thanks, MP for the idea.

I would like to see some big Free agent defense signing this year. Focus more of our attention with the offense in the draft.

What if Chris Jones becomes a FA? It’s rare for a player of Jones’ caliber to reach unrestricted free agency, and Kansas City did not give up the right to franchise tag him for a second time when the two sides agreed to a reworked contract this past offseason. A tag for Jones would land north of $33 million, which perhaps helps him test the open market for the first time in his career.

Top free agent comparison: Ndamukong Suh, 2015

Player                        Run-defense grade             Pass-rush grade           True pass set pass-rush grade          Pass-rush win rate             APY as % of Cap at signing
Chris Jones                         76.9                                92.1                                   91.7                                        17.3%                                        ?
Ndamukong Suh                  80.0                                83.0                                   82.5                                        11.2%                                     13.3%

Contract Projection: Four years, $120 million ($30 million per year), $80 million total guaranteed

Brian Burns

With panthers being the panthers. A possible chance Burns might leave. He is on his way to his fourth straight pass-rush grade above 70.0, keeping his stock high amid the chaos. I see him getting Franchise Tag. 

Top free agent comparison: Frank Clark, 2019

Player                          Pass-rush grade         True pass set pass-rush grade         Pass-rush win rate              Run-defense grade              APY as % of Cap at signing

Brian Burns                          75.4                                80.0                                     11.2%                                   56.2                                        ?
Frank Clark                          80.4                                83.6                                     14.3%                                   63.2                                      11.1%

Justin Madubuike has a strong case for being the player to earn himself the most money in 2023. With at least half a sack in 11 of 13 games this season, Madubuike has already doubled his prior season high

Player                       Run-defense grade              Pass-rush grade              True pass set pass-rush grade             Pass-rush win rate          APY as % of Cap at signing

Justin Madubuike                  67.2                                71.9                                     79.3                                     10.8%                                       ?

Javon Hargrave                    81.3                                77.5                                     79.8                                      12.2%                                     6.5%

Contract Projection: Four years, $92 million ($23 million per year), $60.25 million total guaranteed

PFF for grading: www.pff.com/news/nfl-free-agent-rankings-top-10-defensive-players-set-to-enter-free-agency

Not done with the defense podcast yet, but Lucas did let slip that he wonders how well Johnson will tackle once he gets paid, as that was a question mark in the past. Its one of the things Poles has to take into account when crafting a deal for him. He essentially performed like this for one season...why did it only come in his contract year and will it be there next year once he gets paid?