Hoecht is one of my favorite players on this team. He represents to me one of the best things about our organization, which is we develop players. Every move he's made has been because we needed him at a particular spot, and he's improved in every spot we've had him. A lot of the flack he gets isn't fair IMO...and I think it's based on more of him being a former DT, and now you see him lined up across of DK Metcalf. I mean yeah, I was in shock too. But it wasn't a mistake, or a blown coverage...he was there because he was continuing to improve in his coverage ability. PFF rating backs that up. He improved throughout the season in coverage. No..I don't want him lined up on WRs like that ....but the data shows the guy continued to improve in coverage all season.
According to Snead, Hoecht will remain an edge rusher, but may be in a rotation. I honestly think we'll see him lined up in Jonah Williams old spot. But he has inside and outside versatility for us, and that's going to be a plus.
Another poster mentioned Hoecht would be a solid DE in a 4-3....I totally agree with that, and I assumed he was going to leave for a team where he'd be in that spot. The fact he's staying tells me that our plan for him is more appealing to him, which means it may not be strictly on the edge. If Snead had said Hoecht is moving inside that may tip off the priority we place on edge in the draft, so Snead may be trying to hold his cards close.