Danno

Linebackers
Added:
Courtney Watson–MLB, 2nd best MLB available in draft
Colby Bockwoldt-WLB, 2 year WLB project.

Lost: No one, but would it matter?

SLB- Hodge played better toward the end of the season after returning from injury. He is still a young player with good upside. His time is running out though.
James Allen-Probably a better fit at the SLB than the WLB. He will push Hodge for the starting job. Only 2 years in the league so far, so he still has good upside.
Darren Smith-May surprise folks at the SLB. Probably a better player here than at MLB.

MLB- Grant and Watson will fight it out. The winner will probably be Watson since he’s played it for 3 years so far. Many thought Grant would be better at the WLB anyway. I think Haz finds a way to put both on the field.
Ruff- Above average back-up.

WLB- Rodgers is at worst average. Not great but not bad either. Look for Cie Grant to win his job by losing the MLB. The Bockwoldt kid intrigues me. From what I’ve read he has excellent skills, just not NFL strong yet. A good NFL training program may turn this guy into a player. He has the frame to add bulk without losing speed, so I’m told. I’d rather have a kid who has talent and skills, that just needs strengthening, than a strong fast kid who has no talent. But realistically a year or two away at best even if he does get stronger.

While this group is far from spectacular, they should be much better than the 2003 unit, even considering their youth. But of course how could they not be?
Probable 2004 starting line-up…
SLB-Hodge
MLB-Watson
WLB-Grant