Not a bad first day and unlike most years, we actually did sign a quality player at a position we sorely needed help at.
Jalen Thompson is a nice piece in the secondary and a certain upgrade form Donovan Wilson in coverage. He can play safety and any type of nickel spot, is decent in space and can cover some. Also is a physical tackler v the run ad can blitz if needed. Not a huge ball hawk guy but does have seasons with 3 and 4 picks. Played for new DB coach Ryan Smith in Arizona. So they know exactly what they are getting and how best to use him.
I think Rashan Gary was a nice addition, especially for no guaranteed money and the cost of a 4th rd pick in 2027. Won't be a 15 sack guy but he has solid pass rush production for the last 5 seasons (39 1/2 sacks the last 5 seasons) and has athletic ability. By many accounts he is also pretty good v the run so he should be able to hold the edge well. Will be interesting to hear what they say was the potential cause of the long sack draught to end last season (was off to a great start with 7 1/2 the first half the season, then none after) though.
The above said, not getting a proven LB or another CB option seems like a miss, and the LB market has basically dried up. Leo Chenal is probably yhe most gifted size/athletic wise but he has never been an every week starter. Still young though at only 25. Kaden Ellis is slightly older at 30 but has been super productive in Atlanta with 100+ tackles each of last 3 yrs and good sack production for a MLB/ILB, but not the most athletic guy in space. Bobby Okereke is someone Schottenheimer has noted in the past that he likes alot and has been a productive MLB for the Colts and Giants, and at one point was great in pass coverage too. But he's also 30 now. There's also talk of going the trade route (Patrick Queen with Stealers) but after a great start to his career in Baltimore he has been mediocre at best the last two yrs in Pitt after signing a huge deal. Maybe Parker and the new staff think they can get him to revert to form in their scheme if we get him.
Our two best CB's are both injury questions (especially Bland, who now has foot surgeries each of last two yrs) and we didnt get 1.
Obviously this draft is pretty stocked at CB and LB so all isnt lost, but getting one of each in FA would have given them more options on draft weekend.