Looking at the front 7, something I wouldn't mind seeing/hope to see happen. If Mangieri could add 10-15 pounds by next season, I would like to see him moved to DE. Not that he wasn't good at OLB this year, but two things:
1. IU needs more pass rush/penetration from the DL. Mangieri is one of their top rushers. This would give a complement to Latham on the other side. I hate when IU only brings 3 rushers, but at least then 2 of IUs top rushers would both be on the line.
2. I think its obvious that IUs best and deepest position on D is at LB. Scales and Simmons look set for ILB, with Newton or Willis at the wide-side OLB. I think IU needs to get Gooch on the field. By the end of the year, he was beginning to make plays. By next year, he should be 250+ and would seem like a nice fit for the OLB spot Mangieri had. He would be close to the same size and a little more athletic/a little better in space.
If you name the top 7 DL and LBs for IU, Gooch and Mangieri are probably both on that list and this would get them both on the field.
1. IU needs more pass rush/penetration from the DL. Mangieri is one of their top rushers. This would give a complement to Latham on the other side. I hate when IU only brings 3 rushers, but at least then 2 of IUs top rushers would both be on the line.
2. I think its obvious that IUs best and deepest position on D is at LB. Scales and Simmons look set for ILB, with Newton or Willis at the wide-side OLB. I think IU needs to get Gooch on the field. By the end of the year, he was beginning to make plays. By next year, he should be 250+ and would seem like a nice fit for the OLB spot Mangieri had. He would be close to the same size and a little more athletic/a little better in space.
If you name the top 7 DL and LBs for IU, Gooch and Mangieri are probably both on that list and this would get them both on the field.